It’s that time of year when students start making plans for their summers and internships abroad. Applications are open and info session announcements are filling student email accounts.
With about 250 programs in over 90 countries, the University of Oregon’s Global Education Oregon (GEO) office is opening its annual Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday. Advisers, providing companies, the financial aid office and faculty leaders will all be in the EMU Ballroom from 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. to help students decide their paths.
According to GEO Institutional Relations Specialist Kayla Grosjean, the information fair is the best time for students to have any questions answered. She said about 500 to 600 students usually attend, in addition to around 60 students who have taken trips abroad and can answer questions about their own experiences.
Students also have the opportunity to win a $500 travel voucher at the fair by voting on their favorite picture from last year’s study abroad trips.
Katy Johnson, a student who returned from the French Language Immersion in Angers trip over the summer, said the program was well worth it.
“The learning is so different,” Johnson said. “In general, it’s just very hands-on, and just being able to take what you learn in the classroom and do it outside. If you’re learning a language and then being able to go speak it with the people in the town you’re exploring, I definitely recommend for people to explore on the weekends, by yourself, with friends — don’t be afraid.”
While the programs vary by many factors, Grosjean said it’s never too early to start thinking about going abroad.
“We do tell students that it’s usually best to have the most programs [and] the most scholarship opportunities available to them if they plan at least six months to a year in advance,” Grosjean said.
As an incentive to start planning early, Grosjean said there is even a scholarship for first-year students who want to take a trip, as long as they apply by the end of the school year. She said more and more scholarships are coming out for those who plan their trips in advance.
Grosjean also said money is the biggest barrier to students, as the expenses can add up.
“So many students forget that you have to pay for laundry abroad,” Grosjean said.
That cost, added in with the study abroad fee, airfare, passport fee for those who don’t already have one, and the weekly expenses like food are reasons there is a scholarships tab on the study abroad website.
Despite the daunting price tag, Grosjean noted that students do not pay UO tuition while abroad and for some out-of-state students, going abroad could even be cheaper.
According to Grosjean, some programs include internships or offer them to students if they want them.
“[You’re] starting to get your toes wet in what it’s like to work in whatever environment you’re trying to work in, in a different country,” Grosjean said. “So that can be really good experience for some students.”
Interning abroad is another opportunity for scholarships, especially if the internship is unpaid. The Office of International Affairs Global Scholars Institute lists over 50 different locations and organizations that offer international internships, according to Grosjean.
One program that includes a five-week, full-time internship is the Media In Ghana trip. Taking students to the capital city of Accra, it is worth twelve credits and according to program director Leslie Steeves is the lowest priced summer study abroad program. Eleven students attended the info session on Wednesday night.
One thing Steeves stressed in the info session is the autonomy afforded to students through studying abroad and getting an individual internship. Each student is paired with a separate internship based on his or her interests and the needs of the companies. Because of this, she said maturity is a key factor when determining who is accepted into the program.
“I think a lot of the students who do end up making it happen do it because they want that global perspective,” said Grosjean.
Follow Becca Robbins on Twitter: @brobbinsuo