Been overlooking study abroad?
Kristine C. Ostil
Issue date: 10/10/05 Section: News
Only 2 percent of undergraduate students take advantage of the study abroad program at UIC. Now in its tenth year, the program has had more than 50 applicants for the coming spring semester, the largest number it has ever had. However, many students overlook study abroad, fearing time loss and high expenses.
The UIC Study Abroad Office makes more than 140 programs in six continents available for students through partnering with other U.S. universities and academic groups and holding summer programs taught by UIC faculty. To be eligible to apply, students must complete 12 credits in UIC and have a GPA of 2.5, but some programs have further requirements.
"I would be interested but I don't have time. I'm trying to catch up with people my age and it would be difficult to go on study abroad and finish college as fast as I can," John Komala, second year accounting major, said.
Many UIC students like, Komala, worry about not having enough time to go away for the academic year, semester, or summer terms. According to Chris Deegan, Director of Study Abroad Office, "Study abroad can fulfill your curriculum because students can get UIC credit while they are in cities like Madrid or Beijing. Most can fulfill their general education requirements, languages, or classes for majors/minors."
Other students also worry about encountering financial problems by studying abroad. The minimum cost of a summer term is $3,000 and up to $9,000 for six credits including room and board. For a semester, the average costs vary from $8,000 to $12,000.
"Many students misunderstand that the cost is too expensive. I've been telling students that cost should really be the last thing to consider," Deegan said.
The Study Abroad Office provides scholarship information for students, with awards ranging from $500 to $8,000. Students may also apply their financial aid towards study abroad.
"Study abroad is definitely worth not only the minor hassles that it takes just to prepare (application process, recommendations, research, etc.), but also the stress and emotional impact of culture shock. I had a cultural experience that mere classes wouldn't have given me," Chris Coleman, Study Abroad participant and fourth year Spanish major, explained.
The national percentage for students studying abroad is the same as UIC, 2 percent. The percentage of applicants has not increased due to factors like students worrying about time consumption and waste of money.
"I want to take advantage of the brief time that I have before I graduate. After all, you can get financial aid that you obviously can't get afterwards. At what other time in your life could you have a set up like this? Most people are in such a hurry to get out that they miss the experience they could be having, just to get to a boring life of work, work, and more work. Besides, you can earn just as much credit just as fast abroad," Coleman said.
The UIC Study Abroad Office makes more than 140 programs in six continents available for students through partnering with other U.S. universities and academic groups and holding summer programs taught by UIC faculty. To be eligible to apply, students must complete 12 credits in UIC and have a GPA of 2.5, but some programs have further requirements.
"I would be interested but I don't have time. I'm trying to catch up with people my age and it would be difficult to go on study abroad and finish college as fast as I can," John Komala, second year accounting major, said.
Many UIC students like, Komala, worry about not having enough time to go away for the academic year, semester, or summer terms. According to Chris Deegan, Director of Study Abroad Office, "Study abroad can fulfill your curriculum because students can get UIC credit while they are in cities like Madrid or Beijing. Most can fulfill their general education requirements, languages, or classes for majors/minors."
Other students also worry about encountering financial problems by studying abroad. The minimum cost of a summer term is $3,000 and up to $9,000 for six credits including room and board. For a semester, the average costs vary from $8,000 to $12,000.
"Many students misunderstand that the cost is too expensive. I've been telling students that cost should really be the last thing to consider," Deegan said.
The Study Abroad Office provides scholarship information for students, with awards ranging from $500 to $8,000. Students may also apply their financial aid towards study abroad.
"Study abroad is definitely worth not only the minor hassles that it takes just to prepare (application process, recommendations, research, etc.), but also the stress and emotional impact of culture shock. I had a cultural experience that mere classes wouldn't have given me," Chris Coleman, Study Abroad participant and fourth year Spanish major, explained.
The national percentage for students studying abroad is the same as UIC, 2 percent. The percentage of applicants has not increased due to factors like students worrying about time consumption and waste of money.
"I want to take advantage of the brief time that I have before I graduate. After all, you can get financial aid that you obviously can't get afterwards. At what other time in your life could you have a set up like this? Most people are in such a hurry to get out that they miss the experience they could be having, just to get to a boring life of work, work, and more work. Besides, you can earn just as much credit just as fast abroad," Coleman said.