Texas State students on studying abroad

By: Sawyer Click

Src147@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – A recent survey of Texas State University students shows that many students wish to study abroad but cost, time and a lack of motivation present a serious roadblock.

Cost is behind much of the student opposition to studying abroad, with many students finding it difficult to believe that funding is available to just anyone. Ollen Howard is an exercise and sports science major in his junior year at Texas State that hasn’t participated in any study abroad program.

Ollen Howard by Darreane Valles

"As far as a study abroad program, I know that they try to make it seem like it's affordable and just this easy process but it’s not,” Howard said. “Especially just general cost to go there, pay to eat, get my stuff there, et cetera, et cetera.”

Others, like junior finance major Giulia Gasponi find it hard to study abroad because of the time spent away from home.

Giulia Gasponi by Justus Stafford

“A lot of students have obligations, such as rent,” said Gasponi. “Even if they have to pay for this program, they need to find a way to pay for rent for the months that they are gone. They also may experience emotional trauma from being so far away from home."

Though price deters many students from participating, those that do participate often find the experience to be worth more than a dollar amount.

Ron Clark, a junior English major at Texas State, spent the summer of 2017 in Oxford, England, as a part of the Summer at Oxford program. Clark studied the work of C.S. Lewis in what he estimates to be at least a $5,000 trip.

Ron Clark by Sawyer Click

“It's something people put off a lot and it may be because of the cost,” Clark said. “I figured I wanted to do it early because I would rather be in debt and get all my traveling out of the way now than be in my middle-age and be like, "Wow, I should have traveled.””

Costs aside, the time commitment is a large concern to many students, including radiation therapy freshman Matthew Christnacht.

Matthew Chrisnacht by Cruz Rojas

"I haven’t had time and don’t know about any opportunities. I feel like it would take a big-time commitment to learn about them," said Christnacht.

Others, like junior manufacturing engineering major Tony Place, don’t want homework to ruin their traveling.

Tony Place by Sawyer Click

"The study part of study abroad ruins it for me too,” Place said. “Like, you get to explore this country but at the same time you still have homework to worry about. You're paying this much money for your vacation to be ruined.”

Reflecting on her days as a foreign exchange student, associate director of the LBJ Student Center Lanita Legan thinks that studying abroad is an invaluable experience to every student, regardless of costs, time and worries.

Lanita Legan by Anahi Hernandez-Rico

“I firmly believe that an international experience is important and I really think that the internship experience is important,” Legan said. "It opens [students’] eyes to the rest of the world. It also gives them an incredible experience in a place where they may not ever get to go back or they may not have ever thought they could go in the first place and it changes their perspective.”

Students can learn more about financial assistance, credits offered, programs available and the advantages of studying abroad by attending a general information session or visiting the Study Abroad Office’s webpage.