College study abroad costs
With careful planning, an overseas opportunity for college students can become an adventure!
With two kids in college, second semester bills approaching and fixed budgets, my wife and I wouldn't have envisioned even broaching the subject of "Study Abroad." While both universities our children attend do indeed promote these overseas opportunities, each differs in their choices of countries and program selections. For instance the college that my daughter attends offers a 2-3 country choice for each selected major. In other words the student might want to study in Ireland, but the major is in science and Ireland travel is only for those who are majoring in geography etc. At the larger university which our son attends there are over 300 programs being offered to attending students. With more choices comes more opportunities to get to the country of their choice, yet there is indeed more competition for those seats also.
In a discussion with an assistant director of Overseas Studies during an orientation seminar last summer, I learned that the staff-to-student ratio at most of the colleges who offer these trips is high, which would allow for closer relationships between students and faculty. Plus, the program at most universities also allows for a two week travel period without pressure of assignments and papers.
Sounds good doesn't it? Yeah! However, what about the costs? On average the price of such adventures is equivalent to one semester of study (plus travel, lodging and food allowance). Thus another cost that will have to be put into the budget.
When our daughter first approached us with her desire to pursue this endeavor, we were reluctant to give our approval for her request to study abroad in South Africa as part of her 'educational major' requirement practicum. Yet when she offered to retain two jobs this coming summer and to substitute teach at local schools during her holiday vacation, we were impressed by her desire and work ethic. Needless to say, we approved – provided she indeed allay much of the additional expenses through her subbing pay and summer jobs.
Of course, the go-ahead to our daughter confirmed the trickle-down effect on our our son, who has bold ambitions of his own – a European destination in his junior year. Thankfully we have two more years to prepare ourselves for this request.
Comments