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| Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute students share their abroad experiences at the school's Global Opportunities Fair. Nicole Hill |
Schools scrutinize and promote study abroad
Concerns over travel 'perks' lead to a clarification of funding behind increasingly popular overseas programs.
from the September 27, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Tips for planning to study abroad
1. Define your goals.
If you are still selecting which college to attend, ask admissions officers about study abroad policies: Does the school offer both long and short trips? Can you apply your financial aid to the program? If you are already in college, talk with advisers about what kind of international experience would be the best fit, and when would be the best time to go given your other educational goals.
2. Search the Internet
Two helpful websites are operated by the nonprofit Institute of International Education: www.iiepassport.org, which allows you to search for programs by country, area of study, and language; and www.StudyAbroadFunding.org, where you can search for scholarships and grants. Another good resource is the directory site www.StudyAbroad.com. Read about students' experiences as they travel at the affiliated site, www.BlogAbroad.com.
Be sure to vet what you find online with the study abroad office on campus. Staff there should be able to raise any red flags.
3. Take a close look at any program's academic standards.
Find out in advance from your college or university what the criteria are for transferring credit from a program abroad.
4. Examine costs.
Two programs might look like they're vastly different in price, but one may list all the costs and the other may charge extra for things like books and excursions.
5. Quiz the program providers.
The Forum on Education Abroad offers a set of questions you can ask about an organization's policies and standards on their website (www.forumea.org – click on the "standards" tab at the top and then again on the left). The many topics include preparation before travel, safety, financial aid, and ethics policies.
Sources: Allan Goodman, president of the nonprofit Institute of International Education; Geoffrey Bannister, president of Cultural Experiences Abroad; Victor Johnson, associate executive director for public policy at NAFSA: Association of International Educators; Brian Whalen, president and CEO of the Forum on Education Abroad.
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