Study Abroad event covering all aspects of travel

By Emily Espinosa

Santa Clara boasts a popular study abroad program that requires reflection and planning before one can commit to their location of choice.

The International Programs Office, however, is making that process easier by bringing their resources on campus.

Study Abroad Week is taking place from Oct. 26-29, with events and meetings that begin as early as Oct. 21 and continue after the official week is over.

Students wishing to study abroad during the 2010-2011 school year should attend events during this week to learn about the options within the program and to begin narrowing down all the possible programs.

"My hope is that (students) essentially get the proper advising for all components of study abroad, from program options to financial aid policies and registration," said Vid Raatior, assistant director for Study Abroad, of the upcoming events.

The week will educate students on the 4-step process that is required of those planning on going abroad: researching, petitioning, applying and preparing.

Students should currently be in the research phase, gearing up for the December 4th deadline, which is the last day of fall quarter classes, to petition for their specific location.

Raatior along with his team of peer advisors and international ambassadors can help students sort through the 106 approved locations in 54 different countries to find out what fits them best.

"These are seniors who studied abroad themselves and...their role is to essentially serve as ambassadors for those programs, for the pros and the cons," Raatior said of the team. "We want students to have as much of the reality of that experience as they can to make the proper decision for themselves."

The representatives will be tabling in Benson this week along with leading discussions and forums, but they are always available to be contacted through e-mail or by setting up a meeting.

The on-campus events this week include "Financing Your Study Abroad", "Study Abroad and Science Majors", "Internship Forum" and many other events that are geared toward the more specific programs.

A full list and description of events is available on the Study Abroad Web site. Their goal is to make the study abroad experience accessible for every student, especially now that it has become such an integral part of campus life.

In regard to students who do not believe they have the ability to go abroad, the organization encourages them not to self-select themselves out of the experience based on area of study, financial issues or any other factor.

"Every major on this campus has a place for them to engage, a place in the world for them to expand that major, minor or even just their core," said Raatior.

The continued annual involvement in the study abroad program has turned it into a major element of the Santa Clara experience.

"The Santa Clara education is not just about sitting in a classroom," explained Raatior. "You can learn a lot more by being out there in the world and engaging in the world. Being in El Salvador in the Casa program, engages your heart; being in London in that internship engages your understanding of how people work within those work places."

He emphasized that it not only leads to individual growth, but that the experience, "enables our students to essentially bring what they've learned in the classroom to the world, to learn from the world and to expand what they've learnedâ?¦and then bring it back to the community."

Sophomore Marin Dennis who hopes to study in Florence, Italy, is looking forward to the help.

"Even though I know where I want to study, it will be helpful to have someone who can tell me exactly what I need to do so I don't fall through the cracks," she said.

Study Abroad Week works to educate students on all necessary information in order to pair the appropriate location with each respective student.

Contact Emily Espinosa at eespinosa@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.