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Studying abroad makes the world your textbook By
Katie Miyake In January of 2001, after 13 hours of flying Kelsey Petersen stepped off a plane in London, England only to find a long hallway. "My first thoughts were, I want to go home," Petersen said. With no other choice, she walked down the lonely hall to the baggage claim where she picked up her luggage with thousands of others. "I didn't know what to do or expect, so I just followed everybody else," Petersen said. Four months later, this 5-foot-9, 120-pound, 20-year-old woman with coffee brown hair draping down the middle of her back, again stepped off a plane. But this time straight into her fiancée's arms. While she was in Leicester, England he had been waiting for her in Logan, Utah. Petersen is one of 35 students from Utah State University who spend a semester studying abroad. According to the USU Study Abroad website, www.usu.edu/stdyabrd, there are over 40 countries that have study abroad programs. Utah State offers study abroad programs in 14 countries. As members of the International Student Exchange Program, ISEP, USU students may also have the chance to study at universities in 34 countries. Through ISEP students have to exchange directly with another student. It doesn't matter what country the student exchanges with, as long as they attend Utah State. Kay Forsyth, director of USU study abroad, said that with ISEP students have a broader range of countries to choose from, but it can be more expensive and also depends on how many students come to Utah State. Utah State averages 35 students studying abroad during fall and spring semester and around 75 in the summer. "We send 20 to 25 students to Costa Rica every summer to learn beginning Spanish and also the language departments send many of their students abroad," Forsyth said. According to Studyabroad.com, www.studyabroad.com, an interested student can look for programs by: academic year/semester, summer, language, subject, high school, intern, volunteer, summer law or business. The location and university a student wishes to attend will determine the cost. Utah State's exchange program costs are based on the cost of tuition, room, and board at USU, which is approximately $3,600 per semester. However, study abroad options not based on exchanges have varying prices. "A student can study at institutions around the world for about the same cost as studying at USU," Forsyth said. "It is affordable and comes at a time in life when you aren*t tied down." Students can also receive scholarships to help pay for tuition. USU offers seven different scholarships, found at www.usu.edu/stdyabrd, to students ranging anywhere from $200 to $4000 per semester. Figuring out how much it will cost is only one step in the study abroad program. USU students must also have completed one year of college level study before their exchange, be in good academic standing and have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 said Forsyth. She also said if classes in English are not available to the student a considerable proficiency, normally two years of university level language study, is required. If a student meets all the requirements the only thing left to do is apply. "I had always thought about studying abroad and one day I decided I was really going to do it, so without thinking I turned my application in and that was that," Petersen said. Applications are accepted all yearlong and spaces are filled on a first come, first serve basis. "Summer applications are usually due in Feb. and March, but for fall semester programs can be filled as soon as Dec. or Jan.," Forsyth said. Since there are so many different options Forsyth advises students to choose a program that best fits their personal needs and goals. She advises planning six months to a year in advance to take care of any problems or concerns. She also reminds that it takes time to place a student and make the necessary travel arrangements. Forsyth said once you have applied and been accepted it is important to work with an academic advisor. They will help students work out classes that will go toward their degree. She also said it is important to note that studying abroad may put a student behind a semester. However, Forsyth believes the experiences gained will be more meaningful academically, professionally and personally, which can be used to the students advantage when he or she graduates. "The knowledge and understanding you will gain will build your self-esteem and help you realize what you believe in and value," she said. "It also looks good on a resume and shows you are a well rounded person." Petersen is grateful for the opportunities study abroad has offered her. She said it has broaden her horizons and given her a different outlook on life. "At first it was a little difficult to get used to because drinking is what everyone does for fun. It was also weird that their huge party nights were Monday and Wednesday," Petersen said. "But you get used to it and over time you learn to love and accept people for who they are." Also, while studying abroad students have the opportunity to travel. Forsyth said during most programs there is at least one break or vacation. Petersen got a five-week Easter vacation where she and other students traveled around Europe. "We went around Europe with our 40 pound backpacks and stayed in hostels," Petersen said. "I never saw so many amazing pieces of art and scary people as I did on that trip." Through all the traveling and learning about different cultures, the students are able to build lasting relationships. Petersen said her favorite part about the four months was getting to know people from different countries and connecting with them just like anybody else. One friend even flew from London, just for her wedding. "I like the feeling of knowing that whenever I go back I will have friends to stay and visit with," Petersen said. Even as the director, Forsyth has the opportunity to connect with the students who come to Utah State. When she went on a family trip to France she was invited to stay at a student's home who once attended USU. "They cooked us excellent French food and took us all around," Forsyth said. "They were the perfect hosts." Forsyth and Petersen would both recommend studying abroad to anyone. "I don't believe that every program is for every person, but I do believe there is a right program for every person," Forsyth said. Petersen said Utah State has an excellent study abroad program, but one negative point is the lack of information. "It is all up in the air," she said. "You land in London and hope someone picks you up." However, Petersen is grateful for her experiences, even if it meant postponing her wedding. "I'm glad that I took the time to study abroad and do things I've never imagined I would do. I think it made me a better person and taught me a lot about life," Petersen said. "And now that I'm married I can't afford to even go to the movies."
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