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.