Several options for those studying abroad
By Liz O'Brien
As Study Abroad Week approaches, students will be wading through a wealth of information in an attempt to find the international program that's right for them. With the choice of 167 locations in over 40 countries Santa Clara offers students, that might not be the easiest task.
To help explain the options, the International Programs Office staff and study abroad peer advisors are hosting a "Study Abroad 101" session tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Mayer Theatre.
Currently, 419 students are studying abroad, a large jump from two years ago when only about 300 students went abroad. Study abroad numbers have grown significantly over the last decade, said Dennis Gordon, executive director of international programs.
"The kind of student we get today as opposed to 10 years ago -- they're so much more interested," Gordon said.
While Europe remains the most popular location with 302 students studying in Europe this fall, the International Programs Office is making it possible to choose the less popular study abroad locations. This year, eight students are studying in New Zealand, three are studying in Ghana, and two in Cuba. In addition, eight students are studying in South America, 25 in Central America, 12 in Asia and nine in Africa.
Vidalino Raatior, assistant director of study abroad in international programs, said that it is still too early to tell if pricing changes implemented last spring are having an effect on the locations that students choose. Gordon said that the new costs, which categorize every program into one of three price categories, simplify the process and draw students to locations that work with the university's philosophy of serving others.
"We wanted the pricing to reflect the university's mission that we'd like as many students as we can to go to Africa, go to Latin America, as opposed to a more generic program in Europe," he said.
Junior Whitney Baird, who is currently studying in India, cited the country's multifaceted culture as an important factor in her decision to study outside of Europe. She is one of two students studying in India this year.
Though some students were frustrated with the pricing changes, many found the study abroad process to be worth both the cost and the effort of applying. "It was incredible," said senior Kelly Meriano of his study in Sydney, Australia. "It's nothing you can take back."
Santa Clara offers most study abroad locations through 10 programs, which range from universities like Syracuse and Gonzaga to programs that specialize in study abroad programs, like The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES). Representatives from several programs will be on campus Oct. 22-24 to host informational sessions on individual study abroad programs.
Contact Liz O'Brien at (408) 554-4546 or eobrien@scu.edu.