Economy doesn't shake students' desire to go abroad
James Baker
Issue date: 2/9/09 Section: News
Though people are saving every penny these days and overseas travel seems to be drying up, it's business as usual for the Office of Study Abroad, as student interest in other cultures has not waned.
Though student involvement in study abroad hasn't faltered in the recession, the time to apply for study abroad and subsequent scholarships for the summer and fall sessions is running short.
The deadline for the J. William and Elizabeth Fulbright Scholarship, which supports a year of study abroad for undergraduate students of the humanities and classics, was extended to Friday, Feb. 13.
There are also informational meetings taking place for hopeful study abroad participants, as International Studies Abroad will be by the Union food court 11 a.m. Tuesday for information and advising.
There is a Classics in Greece informational meeting 3:30 p.m. Monday in Room 207 of J.B. Hunt.
For some students, the incentive and want to hop on a plane now and go abroad has never been stronger.
"I heard airline tickets are cheaper right now," senior John D. Winans said. "Maybe I should have taken a trip during the ice storm of '09."
Airlines are slashing prices for flights to entice a frugal American public to travel before the heavier traveling season hits in June.
By then low fares may be gone, but where discounts stop, scholarships start.
Months before a student goes on a study abroad trip, they are given a program budget worksheet to establish what money is going where, like lodging, local transportation, books and supplies, and airfare.
The estimated cost of a three-week summer program to study Legal Communication and Free Speech at Oxford and Cambridge is $7,702, which can be an eyesore of a figure before a student even contemplates filling out a scholarship application.
Study abroad scholarship application deadlines are usually between Feb. 1 and March 1 for programs beginning in the summer or fall, according to the UA Office of Study Abroad Web site.
More scholarships are up for grabs for students who go to non-traditional places, such as Asia, Africa, Middle East or Eastern Europe.
However, some students may already have a scholarship through the UA, such as a University Scholarship; these can be used toward study abroad.
Senior Jamelle Brown, whose entire study abroad experience was funded by the National Science Foundation, said students who are unsure whether they can afford a study abroad trip should try applying for government aid, as well as university scholarships.
"The money still flows from the banks," Brown said. "If you apply for government aid, the government will help, and the banks will always fund students."
Students may visit Studyabroad.uark.edu for more information.
Though student involvement in study abroad hasn't faltered in the recession, the time to apply for study abroad and subsequent scholarships for the summer and fall sessions is running short.
The deadline for the J. William and Elizabeth Fulbright Scholarship, which supports a year of study abroad for undergraduate students of the humanities and classics, was extended to Friday, Feb. 13.
There are also informational meetings taking place for hopeful study abroad participants, as International Studies Abroad will be by the Union food court 11 a.m. Tuesday for information and advising.
There is a Classics in Greece informational meeting 3:30 p.m. Monday in Room 207 of J.B. Hunt.
For some students, the incentive and want to hop on a plane now and go abroad has never been stronger.
"I heard airline tickets are cheaper right now," senior John D. Winans said. "Maybe I should have taken a trip during the ice storm of '09."
Airlines are slashing prices for flights to entice a frugal American public to travel before the heavier traveling season hits in June.
By then low fares may be gone, but where discounts stop, scholarships start.
Months before a student goes on a study abroad trip, they are given a program budget worksheet to establish what money is going where, like lodging, local transportation, books and supplies, and airfare.
The estimated cost of a three-week summer program to study Legal Communication and Free Speech at Oxford and Cambridge is $7,702, which can be an eyesore of a figure before a student even contemplates filling out a scholarship application.
Study abroad scholarship application deadlines are usually between Feb. 1 and March 1 for programs beginning in the summer or fall, according to the UA Office of Study Abroad Web site.
More scholarships are up for grabs for students who go to non-traditional places, such as Asia, Africa, Middle East or Eastern Europe.
However, some students may already have a scholarship through the UA, such as a University Scholarship; these can be used toward study abroad.
Senior Jamelle Brown, whose entire study abroad experience was funded by the National Science Foundation, said students who are unsure whether they can afford a study abroad trip should try applying for government aid, as well as university scholarships.
"The money still flows from the banks," Brown said. "If you apply for government aid, the government will help, and the banks will always fund students."
Students may visit Studyabroad.uark.edu for more information.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Whitney
posted 2/12/09 @ 9:32 AM CST
Check out: http://www.rateyourstudyabroad.com/ to see student reviews of different study abroad programs. You can choose the right program for you based on the reviews and information you read. (Continued…)
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