The Study Abroad Program Poses a Hindrance to Some Texas State Students

Michael Imo

Mdi7@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State students said the Study Abroad programs are great, but there are some setbacks.

Last Tuesday, Texas State students were interviewed about their thoughts on the Study Abroad program which gives students a chance to learn outside of the classroom. Questions ranged from if they had heard anything about the program to its effectiveness and benefits it may grant. When asked if they would consider joining, some answers seemed to sway on a maybe possibility.

Dana Hiser
Pic by: Michael Imo

To students like Dana Hiser, majoring in fashion merchandising, one barrier to the program was its cost. She said being able to afford it was not a possibility and wished the program organizers made it more cost effective.

“[It would be nice] if they could make more scholarships and grants available to students,” Hiser said.

Other students echoed her concern like 19-year-old exercise sports major, Samuel Garcia. Garcia said his only major setback was because of financial reasons.

Samuel Garcia
Pic by: Jonathon Salazar

“It’s hard to get people because they don’t always have the money,” He said. When asked what could be done to make it more accessible to students, Garcia said “It needs to be advertised more around school”.

Daniel Tello
Pic by: Jonathon Salazar

It’s true that the Study Abroad program has been around for a while but some students are still just hearing about it or don’t have the correct information about it. Daniel Tello, an animal science major, said that initiative needs to be taken to spread the word around and it should start with those who come into contact with these students every day.

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

Money and accessibility aren’t much of a problem for some students who say the real issue is with what the program has to offer the students who have their future already planned out. While almost all the students agreed it would make for a great experience, Wesley Townsend, a biology major, said that one hindrance may be that the classes needed to graduate may not be included in the program curriculum.

Wesley Townsend
Pic by: Michael Imo

Alicia Puig
Pic by: Dylan Bradley

“Make sure that it can be part of a student’s 4-year degree plan,” Townsend said. Alicia Puig, a bio-chemistry major added to Townsend’s thoughts and said “My degree plan is structured a certain way that might be difficult to work around.”

While some students cared about the benefits, others didn’t bat an eye in its direction. Odalys Delgado, sophomore education major student, said she’d never really looked into it. However, she and the other students all concluded that no matter the obstacle, you had a chance to see something you don’t get to see everyday.

“They get to visit another school and meet different cultures,” Delgado said. “Now that is something worth considering.”

Odalys Delgado
Pic by: Michael Imo

To find out more, visit the Study Abroad program website.