I’ve always wanted to go on a study abroad trip. My reason? I just know I’ll meet and fall in love with a hot French (or whatever) guy with an amazing foreign accent. We’ll live happily ever after in Paris. We’ll travel all over Europe. We’ll do it all…That’s just what happens, right?Just kidding.
But there are lots of other great reasons to go on a study abroad trip: three and a half weeks in another country, experiencing different cultures, seeing and trying new things. How many people can say they have done that? Plus, to me, there is some sort of thrill in being on a completely different continent.
My family traveled a lot for my dad’s job when I was little. So it’s not like I’ve never left Ohio or the Midwest. I’ve lived in several different states and have been to a few different countries around the world. But we moved to Ohio permanently when I was eight, so I have some memories of what it was like, but they are faint and fuzzy.
This might be the reason I’m so eager to travel. I don’t know. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.
And, of course, there are the educational benefits (something that you always have to mention when you are trying to convince your parents or grandparents to contribute to the study-abroad-fund). That is not to say the educational part isn’t a reason for wanting to go; I like to learn, and I might as well earn college credits while I’m having a good time, right? Plus, it looks good on my resumé (another great thing to tell grandparents).
The study abroad programs offered at RWC go to Great Britain, Costa Rica, Germany, and China, though for 2010, there will only be trips to Great Britain and Germany. The German program alternates every other year between Cincinnati students going to Ilmenau, Germany, and Ilmenau students coming to Cincinnati. Costa Rica and Great Britain trips are scheduled every year, as long as there are enough students. This year the Costa Rica trip was cancelled because of too few applications.
The costs for the trips range from about $2300 to $3000, which really isn’t that bad, since all basic travel expenses are covered. Tuition is extra for the British study trip, but included in costs for Costa Rica and Germany. And there are scholarships anyone can apply for that specifically help students pay for study abroad programs.
It is not too late to sign up for this summer’s study abroad programs! There is still room for more students, but the deadlines are coming up fast. Applications and initial deposits of $150-$200 (depending on the program) were due by March 1 for the Germany trip and by February 15 for Great Britain. But both programs are still accepting late applications.
To sign up or for more information about RWC’s study abroad programs, students can contact Professor Mike Roos at michael.roos@uc.edu (for Great Britain) or Professor Debbie Page at debbie.page@uc.edu (for Germany) or visit http://www.rwc.uc.edu/SAEC/index.html
I think it will be a great experience for anyone who goes on a study abroad trip. I’m already saving up for next year. You should too!