The Effects of Globalization May Be Your New Excuse to Travel in College

By- Jhazmine Billups
Jcb192@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Tx --  Globalization, the development of an increasingly integrated global economy according to Webster's dictionary, is a phenomenon that is increasing the already competitive nature of job markets all over the world. Unfortunately, college students in the United States are not as prepared as their peers in other countries for this rapid development.

According to the Institute of International Education, only one in every ten students in the United States joins study abroad programs during their college career.

Andy Munoz, 21
Picture by Quin Palmer

Texas is no exception with just 16,605 college students participating in study abroad programs during the 2014-2015 academic year, according to NASFA: Association of International Educators.


Some students at our university have a few ideas about what is possibly going amiss with program participation here at Texas State University.

Andy Munoz, a Clinical Laboratory Science major, was unsure if the school even had scholarships for students interested but financially unable to participate in Study abroad programs.

Jacob Henigan, 23

Photo by - Jhazmine Billups

Rebecca Hobbesland, 19 -

Photo by Jhazmine Billups

 Rebecca Hobbesland, a Biology Major, also spoke of the financial burden and confusion students have with study abroad programs. She said,


"I would say people should advertise them, maybe, a little more. Talk about the experience and maybe make an affordable plan for students..."

The Study Abroad Office does have financial aid for eligible students and students seeking to gain credit toward their degree can use their Free Application for Federal Student Aid to help pay for their studies outside the country. However, even with the available scholarship and financial aid opportunities, it does not appear that students at our university know about all the resources at their disposal.

French Major Jacob Henigan stated that another primary problem for students trying to participate in study abroad programs is finding the time to take off and join in a study abroad experience. Schedule conflicts cause issues for students interested in learning more about studying overseas.

Quinton Carter, 18
Taken by: Ashley Brown 

Alma Cavazos, 18
Taken by: Ashley Brown

Alma Cavazos and Quinton Carter both said that the times of the Study Abroad Fair and information session clash with student schedules. Cavazos said,


"I know that they hold a lot of meetings, but most of them are when I have class. So maybe try to change around the meetings, maybe have some on the weekends, that would be great."

Quinton said of the study abroad fair,

"I know that they have a Study Abroad Fair today, but they make it in the middle of the day, and most students have class during that time."

International perspective

According to the Institute of International Education, Texas has the third highest population of international students at 82,184 enrolled.

Jaswanath Pattipati, an international graduate student from Ongole, India, said had not been able to participate in the internship opportunities associated with the Study Abroad Offices here at Texas State University. Pattipati went on to say,

"They should be globalized. So, even we {International students} get a chance to look into these programs and really get a chance to go into

these programs for internships."



For more information about the study abroad programs offered at Texas State check out these links- Programs, Scholarship Eligibility and Thornton International House Location.

Texas State students discuss the Study Abroad program from their point of view

A_O132@TXST.edu

By: Ammon Ockletree

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State Study Abroad program receive mixed reviews from Texas State students.

Some students see the program as a positive opportunity for change. While some students see the program as a waste of time.

Texas State student Shanya Davis, sees studying abroad as an adjustment. Davis, a nursing major, sees the program as something that could be worth a try.

Shanya Davis
Photo by: Addison McKissack

“I feel like it’s definitely scary, it’s an adjustment. I think a lot of people want to do it and they don’t think about how hard it’s going to be adjusting to a new culture,” said Davis.

Studying abroad improves chances for employment.

According to the University of California-Merced, “97 percent of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation when only 49 percent of college graduates found employment in the same period.” That is more than twice the average of the regular graduate!

                    Evelyn Shanks

Photo by: Tyler Fontaine

Evelyn Shanks, Texas State Biochemist major is in a difficult position about whether to try study abroad because her major would not allow her to transfer the offered courses.

“Being a science major it is really hard to find programs that will transfer and not push you back a semester,” said Shanks.

  Studying abroad launches careers.

A recent survey from Inside Higher Ed reports, more than half (53.3) percent of alumni of study abroad programs say they believe their study abroad experience contributed to them receiving a job offer. More than 78 percent were asked about study abroad in a job interview.

Dr.Joseph Kortarba
Photo by: Tyler Fontaine

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     From a negative point of view, Texas State Sociology professor Joseph Kortarba sees cost and time as the two reasons students don’t study abroad. Though he views studying abroad as something that teaches lessons. 

“Bring the cost down would help a lot of students for sure. Also, the summer is a hard time, for a lot of students to commit to a trip like that,” said Kortarba.

 “How Experiential Learning in Learning Could Launch Your career.” An article published by The Princeton Review explains, that since hands-on learning experiences require students to “take initiative, make decisions and be accountable for results,” students may also “experience success, failure, adventure, risk-taking, and uncertainty.” “No matter what you’ll learn from it,” said Association of Experiential Education.  

Dr.Steve Beebe
Photo by: Ammon and the family

Texas State Professor Steven Beebe knows about the good and bad of the study abroad program. While teaching two study abroad courses at Oxford University he sees the problems stopping students from taking part in the program. One of those problems being advising.

“I think sometimes the students don’t understand how to do it. I think sometimes the cost can be prohibited,” said Beebe.

Studying abroad improves communication skills and stronger teamwork skills.

According to IIE, investigate the connection between the study abroad program and the development of skills that contribute to employment and career development in today’s workforce.  

Some students don’t feel Study Abroad program is broadcast enough.

Sophia Roman
Photo by: Tyler Fontaine

Texas State nursing student Sophia Roman didn’t have any idea about the Study Abroad program until she was questioned.

“I don’t even know if we have any Study Abroad programs for nursing students,” said Roman. I was never told and it is a little too late.

Financial problems seem to be the only thing stopping students from studying abroad.

Ness Aguliar
Photo by: Addison McKissack

Ness Aguilar, Junior Business Management major, sees money as the only thing stopping him now. “Financials probably, who wouldn’t want to go experience something else and go to college somewhere else,” said Aguilar.

The time to study abroad is now. For more information and details on signing up get online and follow this link. 

Lack of information leads to student confusion on Study Abroad Program

Tyler Fontaine

10/31/17

t_f80@txstate.edu 

SAN MARCOS, TX — Texas State University recently announced their upcoming Study Abroad Programs for the 2017–2018 academic year. While students have voiced obstacles like money or time keeping them from participating in the program, it has also been found that they feel like they receive a lack of information on studying abroad.


While interviewing students and faculty on campus, it became apparent that the student population does generally know about study abroad, but not the specific information about what the program includes. Concerns like this have come up with students like freshman Shayna Davis.

Shanaya Davis
Taken by: Addison McKissack

"I've gotten a couple emails about a meeting to get basic information about it, but other than that, I don't know anything about it... I want to get into it but I don't know how to start,” Shayna Davis said. 


While students do receive emails regarding the program, this may not be the best way for them to learn about the program and all of the different options that are provided. Students like Lilly Montemayor feel that more visibility on campus would help the problem. 

Lilly Montemayor
Photo by: Ashley Brown

“I feel like there could be more visibility around it, like where to sign up, who to talk to, who runs it, you know, just general information,” Montemayor said.


On top of not knowing general information about the Study Abroad Program, students like junior Sophia Roman are not even sure if the program can apply towards their major. 

Sophia Roman
Taken by: Tyler Fontaine

“[…] personally I don’t even know if we have study abroad programs for nursing students because I was never told and it is a little too late,” Roman said. 

Students have expressed how information would stick with them more if it was brought up during their lectures by their professors, like student Andy Munoz suggested. 

Andy Munoz
Taken by Quin Palmer

“There hasn’t been a course that I’ve taken so far that, you know, encouraged studying abroad,” Munoz said.


While providing information does help with building student’s interest, the other half of the problem is students have to pursue the program. With the general confusion and feeling of lack of communication, some students might be afraid to ask questions about it, like student Kathia Avilez. 

Kathia Avilez
Taken by: Ashley Brown

“A lot of people are afraid to ask and they don’t know of the resources available,” Avilez said.


Study Abroad is aware of these concerns, and to help with these issue, the program has introduced Study Abroad Ambassadors this year. These are students that have gone on a study abroad trip that are there to help other students, like Study Abroad Ambassador Tucker Thompson.

Tucker Thompson
Taken by: Tyler Fontaine

“[Study Abroad Ambassadors] can keep you updated on all information sessions, due dates on applications, and payments schedules. [They can also] can connect with students on a more personal level so students feel comfortable asking questions,” Thompson said.


Additional information is also available on the Texas State website under the study abroad tab. Here you can find all the answers to any possible questions students have about the program including destinations specific to majors, the steps to sign up, event calendars and any other important information they need.

These steps will hopefully help the program provide a way to connect to more students on campus. The provided information and the addition of ambassadors are meant to improve the process of getting students more acquainted with the Study Abroad Program.


If you would like to seek more information and get connected to people involved in the program, visit http://www.studyabroad.txstate.edu.

Study Abroad, What's Holding You Back?

by Jonathon S j_s730@yahoo.com

Here at Texas State, the Study Abroad program is an opportunity that the university gives students to travel the world, but how many of them actually participate in it?

Colleges all across the U.S. offer students the chance to take classes while also experiencing a culture different than their own. Study abroad can definitely be an experience of a lifetime, but costs of tuition and other expenses sometimes scare away students from even considering it.

Santiago Marroquin, a senior here at Texas State sees the positivity in programs like Study Abroad, but acknowledges that they are very expensive.

Santiago Marroquin
Photo By: Cartney Sharp 

“I know for a lot of them scholarships are already offered, but offering a scholarship that would pay more than just what the tuition would be, maybe offering students housing and a per diem, something that style, would make it more accessible,” Marroquin said.

The Texas State Study Abroad Office makes it known that there might be a possibility that not all expenses will be covered.  Students might be having to pay for things like travel and room and board right out of pocket. 

Dana Hiser, a fashion merchandizing major, along with Samuel Garcia, an exercise sports science major, both relate their hesitation to participate in the Study Abroad program because of money issues. 

Dana Hiser
Photo By: Michael Imo

 "I can't really afford it," said Hiser.

Samuel Garcia
Photo By: Jonathon Salazar

                    "Because of financial reasons," Garcia said.

Aside from financial concerns, lack of participation in the Study Abroad program stems from absence of information. Some students say that they have never really heard much about to program and what it has to offer. 

Daniel Tello, an animal science major, think that study abroad needs to be discussed about more in the classroom.

Daniel Tello
Photo By: Jonathon Salazar

"Professors need to talk about it more often," Tello said.

Hannah Chetwood, a student at Texas State University, also agrees that the program should be advertised more. 

Hannah Chetwood
Photo By: Tyler Fontaine 

“The information should be more accessible to students. It would be helpful if someone brought handouts to a class or something like that to get the information out there more. Also just marketing it better to students in general would help attract more attention to the program,” said Chetwood. 

Kathia Avilez, a public relations major, said that setting up something in the quad to let students know about Study Abroad might be a more effective way to get word out about the program.

Kathia Avilez
Photo By: Ashley Brown

"I think bringing more awareness. I would even set up a tent in the quad. A lot of people are afraid to ask and they don't know of the resources available. So definitely go out of your way to advertise it," Avilez said.

Students that are interested in studying abroad can visit the programs website here. 

Students Express Their Feelings About Study Abroad Programs

Austin Sharpen 

a_s704@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas— Texas State University offers many Study Abroad programs that help students gain school credit while getting to experience a different culture in both summer courses and full-semester courses.

Students say they are doubtful about studying abroad due to the cost and not being informed enough.

Some students want to attend a Study Abroad program but feel they don’t have enough information about the different programs and think it is too expensive or don’t know what programs are offered.

 

“I can’t really afford it,” said Dana Hiser. She thinks if they could make more scholarships and grants available, more students would want to go.

She really couldn’t afford the program either.

 Katie Smith, said, “I haven’t heard much about it and I know it’s expensive.”

Quinton Carter, a business administration major, said he is unable to attend the study abroad meetings due to them being in the middle of the day.

"They need to intrigue me to go, not just tell me about it. I know that they have a Study Abroad Fair today, but they make it in the middle of the day and most students have class during that time,” said Carter.

 

Like Carter, Rebecca Hobbesland felt the same way.

“I would say people should advertise them maybe a little more. Talk about the experience and maybe make an affordable plan for students because sometimes that's not in the cards or like their already just trying to get an education the cheapest way they can,” said Hobbesland.

However, students that attend study abroad information sessions and participate in a program said they benefit in ways that they couldn’t imagine.

Alma Cavazos, an education major, believes you can learn other people’s culture and return home and practice their norms and traditions.

"You can study and learn the culture of where you're staying. You can see how people are treated there and you can come home and show people all their customs and cultures,” said Cavazos.

Another student, Jacob Hennigan majoring in French believes it’s healthy for the soul.

"Well, first of all, traveling is a healthy experience, I say healthy not like for your body but like for your soul. It's ... good to get out and go be in a different place where you're unfamiliar and uncomfortable,” said Hennigan.

For those that are interested in studying abroad and wish to find out more information can visit the Texas State Study Abroad Office.