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.