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.