Student interest and applications for study abroad have increased over the past few years.
Increased interest in studying abroad began slowly picking up after the COVID-19 pandemic when world travel shut down. After travel restrictions were lifted, students slowly gained interest in world travel. With study abroad programs gaining momentum, the applications followed soon after.
The Study Abroad Fair took place on April 2, in room 116 of the David Eisler Center. The Office of International Education hosted the event, which included tables with flyers for different countries that presented different programs.
Study Abroad Coordinator Megan Hauser-Tran talked about the student interest rates.
“By a quick count, interest in study abroad has at least doubled, if not tripled; actual applications submitted for semester programs have doubled, and applications for summer programs have tripled compared to last year,” Hauser-Tran said.
Hauser-Tran explained how the study abroad program has done a good job of promoting and helping students become more aware of the options that they have for studying abroad.
Hauser-Tran talked about the reasons why students consider studying abroad.
“Everyone has their motivations, but some, I think, are more universal. It’s just the experience of putting yourself out there in a new context and gaining these critical skills that are needed when you go out in the workforce,” Hauser-Tran said. “You’ve got adaptability, flexibility, cultural intelligence, global competence and these things will serve them well in the workforce, no matter if they’re working abroad or working here.”
Business administration freshman Lizzie Haines considered studying abroad and attended the fair.
“So I love traveling and I love warm places. I’ve actually been thinking about doing study abroad for a while, and I love food. I like the different cultures, the different countries, I can eat a bunch of food and just learn their culture,” Haines said. “I thought it was cool that the people were really inviting. They had some good things to say about different countries, and it was cool that they could tell me what they experienced firsthand.”
The study abroad program now includes new places, such as Kenya and the Czech Republic, and renewed programs that include trips to the United Kingdom and the Western Balkans region, focusing on international business and applied management. While students, like Haines, focus on the cultural experience while studying abroad, other students are focused on the bigger picture of the opportunities and costs.
Biochemistry freshman Mishon Pore shared his thoughts about the cost of studying abroad.
“The cost of it, I would probably have to do a little more research on before I even consider it,” Pore said. “You’re learning what opportunities each country has, which should influence where you should go more than what it can bring you, just in case you’re like in debt way more than you were to be in America.”
The cost of studying abroad varies depending on the program, the country and the student’s financial standing. Many scholarship opportunities are available, such as the Barbara Chapman International Scholarship and the Overseas Partner University Scholarship.
“I think sometimes it might seem like maybe it won’t fit, or maybe it might be too expensive or maybe it might be too far, and things like this and those are all legitimate concerns,” Hauser-Tran said. “But I do think there are ways to address these concerns.”
The deadline to study abroad in the fall semester was April 1, and Oct. 1 for the spring semester. Exact dates may vary depending on the program, so contact the education abroad coordinator to check the application dates for your chosen program.