Students Talk Study Abroad at Texas State

SAN MARCOS, Texas—Students at Texas State University said they lack knowledge and have issues with the cost of study abroad programs offered.

People have different opinions pertaining to study abroad programs and their benefits. Most claim to have a variety of benefits and to be a great way to acquire cultural experience in students seeking to do so. Awareness for these programs is not always good.

Tony Place
photo by: Darreane Valles

Tony Place, a junior at Texas state has not gone on a study abroad trip believes the cost may be a major issue with students not attempting to go on trips coordinated by the university. Students have a lot of expenses living a college lifestyle.

Ollen Howard
photo by: Darreane Valles

 “I understand that it's going to be expensive if you're going across seas for a bit so $4,500 for everything is probably doable. At the same time, though, if you have tuition, bills and rent, it becomes really hard," said Place.

Ollen Howard, another student who has never attended a study abroad trip shared his take on the programs at Texas State, saying it just is not accessible for everyone.

"As far as a study abroad program, I know that they try to make it seem like its affordable and just this easy process, but it’s not, says Howard.

Students who are unable to attend study abroad trips want to know if financial aid outside of scholarships are available to students short on resources.

Ramiro De La Cruz
photo by: Collin Jones

Freshman, Ramiro De La Cruz, has not explored the idea since he is just starting at out. He has some great advice for the people in charge of the programs.

 "It would be better if they could include [more] financial aid for students, such as myself, who do not have the resources available to attend [an expensive] trip,” says Cruz.

Cost is not the only issue students have with the programs. They seem to not have knowledge of all the trips available and the program as a whole.  Students feel like the study abroad programs need to be more talked about.

Kristen Scott
photo by: Stephen Spencer 

 Kristen Scott, an English Major at the university talks about how the cost is not the only problem, saying, "make it more affordable and more known."

Some majors assume that their field of study does not offer international study opportunities, but in fact there are plenty of trips available for all students at the university. Elisha Jefferies, an exercise sports science major, is a prime example of this.

Elisha Jefferies
photo by: Collin Jones 

"I was unaware that Exercise Sports Science Majors had opportunities to do so,” says Jefferies.

All students have different priorities and other things rank higher than going to another country to do more schoolwork. For students like Giulia Gasponi, social life ranks above going on study abroad programs.

Giulia Gasponi
photo by: Justus Stafford 

"I feel like I want to use that time during the breaks to spend with my friends. I would get severe FOMO, if i see my friends hanging out while I'm somewhere else for the summer," says Gasponi.

There is plenty of study abroad opportunity available for students at Texas State. They do offer scholarships to students to students and all of their information is on their website. If it interests you go to their website http://www.studyabroad.txstate.edu/.