The Struggle of Studying Aboard Programs at Texas State University

By: Fouad Ali

faa21@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas -- Texas State students say outside campus learning; such as study abroad, internships, and study in America programs are experiences that are necessary, but isn’t as accessible as it should be for students to participate.

Study abroad programs offer the ability to not only learn, but also travel to different spots around the world. Most students find this extremely appealing; however, two factors seem to play a huge role in why a majority of these same people miss the opportunity. A lack of funds and a lack of knowledge.  

In an interview done by Taylor Jacko; Kristen Scott, an 18-year-old freshman from New Braunfels, feels that the school has failed in keeping students informed about such programs.

Kristen Scott(photo by Taylor Jacko)

"They need to make it more known to the students so they can go on these trips," said Scott.

Scott isn’t the only one who feels this way. Henry “Tres” Allen III, a 20-year-old Business Finance major, told interviewer Justus Stafford that he wouldn’t even know

where to start.

Henery "Tres" Allen III
(photo by Justus Stafford)

"This is my sophomore year so I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I don't think there are many study abroad programs for finance students," said Allen.

This isn’t just the opinion of students either. Lanita Legan, student affairs professional and Associate Director of LBJ Student Center, feels that there should also be more effort to inform students when interviewed by Kyla-Krista Ong.  

Lanita Legan
(Photo by Kyla-Krista Ong)

Legan goes on to say, "[o]bviously, there should be more publicity about it. I think that staff, as well as faculty, knew about them then they could encourage students to participate.”

She even goes on to say it is something that students should do while in school.

Legan says, “I firmly believe that an international experience is important and I really think that the internship experience is important.”

Once a student finds a program, it seems it is clear that it is not hard to get into one. This is shown by Alyssa Cornista, a senior in Communication Design. Cornista took a study abroad trip to Japan and believes that it is fairly easy if you listen and follow the right steps.  

Alyssa Cornista
(photo by Fouad Ali)

When asked if she thinks her program was easy to get into, Cornista says, “I'd say yes it is easy to get in. Yes, because if you are interested in the program and you committee and fill out the check list of what the study abroad office ask of you then you are already in the program.”

Even with information about these programs, others still feel that money will be a big problem. Interviewer Sawyer Click asks Tony Place, a junior in Manufacturing Engineering, his opinion of the accessibility of outside university learning programs. Place explains that the programs are too much.

Tony Place
(photo by Sawyer Click)

“I might if I looked but one class is like $4,500 and I'm not sure if that even covers everything. It's definitely money for me,” said Place.

Ramiro De La Cruz, an 18-year-old freshman, feels that money wouldn’t be as much of a problem if government help was able to be used.

Ramiro De La Cruz
(Taylor Jacko)

When talking to Taylor Jacko; Cruz says, "I'm pretty sure it’s something the school can do is make it (study abroad) accessible through financial aid because I know it doesn't cover everything.”

To most students, programs that allow learning outside of the university aren’t as present as they would like or seem like something they can do.

For information about different study abroad programs, click on the link http://www.studyabroad.txstate.edu/