- Chrissie Strong,
ISU assistant study abroad coordinator
NORMAL – Traveling to a different country, experiencing a new culture and meeting new people all while gaining an education at about the same if not cheaper price than at Illinois State University are just some of the opportunities studying abroad provides.
Chrissie Strong, assistant study abroad coordinator at ISU believes that every student needs to try to study abroad while they are in school. “This is probably your only chance to travel and mark something off your bucket list. When you get older, you’ll be starting a family and busy with life, now is the perfect time to focus on you,” she said.
Faculty advisors can place students in programs all over the world, with the exception of the Middle East right now. There are 25 programs that are the same cost or cheaper than ISU. “These cheap prices include room and board, airfare, meals, and everyday expenses, so it is actually cheaper to study abroad than to study at ISU,” Strong said.
Students should go earlier rather than later, according to Strong. “The best time to go would be the fall of your sophomore year. You can choose from many general education courses, and that leaves that summer before to get your visa and things you need ready,” she said. But she encourages all students to take this opportunity, so even if graduating this coming May, she says students still have time to apply to study abroad this summer 2013.
Strong also encourages students who are not fully into their major to think outside of the box. There are many other countries than just those in Europe. For example, Strong noted that Taiwan is one of the best countries to study in. It is $3,000 cheaper than ISU and it is very clean and safe.
Students will most likely meet a variety of people from many different cultures while studying abroad and many ISU students that have studied abroad report positive experiences.
Katie Acton, senior political science major, studied abroad in London the fall of her junior year at ISU and said it was one of the best decisions she has ever made. “I couldn’t believe it was so cheap! I was so glad I had that opportunity to enrich myself in another culture,” she said.
Acton says she met people from all over the world. “I talked with so many tourists; I met people from Turkey, France, Russia, Tokyo, it was awesome. Go for the opportunity to meet new people and experience a culture that you haven’t experienced before,” she said.
Strong agrees saying, “You get to meet people and students from all over the world. You can encounter something new and really become fearless after studying abroad.”
To be considered for a study abroad program, one must first meet with a Study Abroad Advisor to discuss interests and programs, have completed at least two semesters at a college and must have a GPA of at least 2.5. For more information about studying abroad, go to http://internationalstudies.illinoisstate.edu/studyabroad/.