Study Aboard A Program That is Cutting to Make It More Available

By: Ryan Dettmann

In college one of the most valuable experiences that is available to students is studying aboard. Though there is a conception that studying aboard is generally more expensive of than studying in the United States. For the most part this is true, but at several colleges studying aboard is near or a little above in-state tuition for all students. This can be a big draw to out-of-state students who generally have to pay higher tuition.

Also with big draw of in-state tuition increasingly colleges are expanding to international campuses or branch campuses. The number of these branch campuses is up 43% compared to three years ago making more places available to students to study at and immerse themselves in different cultures, which can sometimes make a student more valuable to a company even in economic hardships. Although the economy is down, colleges have tried cutting unnecessary parts in their study aboard programs or have shortened them. Another way colleges and universities have tried to do to cut costs is go to places other than Europe like South America, Africa, and Asia. But even by going to places other than Europe the ticket price which can sometimes be around $2,000, which can make it just as expensive to go to Europe. Also in places like Georgia students can get the HOPE scholarship, that can also cover the costs of study aboard programs. Though the study aboard program can be a valuable experience, some warn that the international campuses may not reflect the home campuses academic standards.

Many students have the opportunity to study aboard and should do so, because it can make a person more marketable but also knowledgeable of the world outside their community or nation. Although it is hard to cover for studying aboard costs, colleges are trying to cut down on them to make it more available to students to get a worldly higher education.