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Posted on: February 27th, 2011 No Comments

Study abroad provides priceless cultural experience

Delaney Juliet
News Reporter

As Mesa State continues to grow, so do the school’s programs. Among these is an assortment of study abroad programs, all of which offer once in a lifetime experiences for any interested students.
Approximately 262,000 American students will study abroad in foreign countries this upcoming school year. This is an 8.5 percent increase in participants from the previous year. Ten years ago, approximately 114,000 took part in such programs abroad. That represents a nearly 130 percent increase in study abroad participation over the last decade.
With a rise in demand for study abroad programs, MSC has partnered with several program sponsors to offer the best experience for students. Those programs are ISEP (International Student Exchange Program) and GlobaLinks Abroad, which includes AustraLearn, EuroLearn and AsiaLearn. Travel opportunities are different, but they all have the same goal: to ensure a positive and life changing experience for students. Countries involved in these programs include Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Italy, England, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, among others.
Dr. Timothy Hatten, a business professor, is the designated program advisor for ISEP at MSC. Hatten’s job includes helping guide potential study abroad students to an appropriate program fit, helping students apply to various study abroad programs, and preparing them for their departure.
“We’ve had about a dozen applications in so far with more coming in,” Hatten said.
Hatten encourages students to participate in such programs and hopes that the number of participating students continues to grow.
“As the word spreads across MSC about the cost-effective international opportunities that ISEP provides, I believe we will soon see many dozens of our students participate every semester,” Hatten said.
Students have the ability to create their personal trip plan when they choose to study abroad. Whether they decide to stay for a semester or a year, go to a small school in a small community or a larger school in a big city, there is a wide variety of options available to all students.
In this tough economy, many students are quick to assume the cost of studying abroad. However, there are many aspects to these programs that many potential travelers are not aware of.
Almost all programs offer scholarships for qualifying students and some accept financial aid. Some companies such as ISEP allow students to study at an international school for the same price that they pay at their home institution. It is important to consider the perks that go with studying abroad, such as excursions, orientation, health insurance, and more. While cost may be an issue for several students, most participants say the experience is priceless.
Junior Sarah Gardner, a children’s education major, will be study abroad at the University of Sydney in Australia next fall.
“Applying was fairly easy, but it was nerve-wracking waiting to see if I had been accepted,” Gardner said.
Gardner said she hopes to share her experience with her peers at MSC and encourage other students to study abroad if given the opportunity.
“Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am going to take full advantage of this experience,” Gardner said. ”I have always wanted to go to Australia so this is a dream come true. While I am there I hope to learn about a new culture and make many friends that are locals.”
For more information about studying abroad, contact Timothy Hatten at thatten@mesastate.edu.

djuliet@mesastate.edu

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