Mark Twain wrote, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
It’s a simple idea — packing a bag and going anywhere on the map. So why aren’t more students taking time off school to travel? What’s holding us back?
Sorry Twain, but traveling is expensive.
Take Denmark, for example. I don’t know many students who find the dark, rainy city of Copenhagen to be attractive. It’s not nearly as glamorous as Paris or London, so I would assume ASU’s study abroad program for Copenhagen would be significantly less expensive than more popular destinations.
False. ASU’s study abroad website estimates the Copenhagen program costs $12,195 per semester, and this number doesn’t include tuition.
However, studying abroad at a more popular destination, such as Paris, can cost about $20,000 for one semester. Albeit, this program fee does include the cost of tuition.
So, how can ASU so actively encourage students to study abroad with such high prices?
“Though ASU programs guarantee credits and safety, they are ridiculously expensive and make study abroad a game that's only open to students from a more wealthy socioeconomic background,” said Laura Van Slyke, a creative writing freshman.
Van Slyke is right; studying abroad has turned into a game. But if students know how to play, it’s easy to win.
Outside of ASU, there are numerous study abroad organizations that offer a better deal.
“I am of the personal philosophy that nothing is worth dragging yourself into debt for. To study abroad cheaply, all you have to do is be proactive. Research various scholarships, and cheaper programs,” said Van Slyke, who plans to go abroad this summer with International Volunteer HQ.
International Volunteer HQ’s six-week programs run anywhere from $700-$1000, plus airfare, vaccinations and visa costs. While you don’t get to study anywhere as glamorous as Rome or Paris, you do get to travel abroad for a fraction of the price and help a community in a developing country. This also looks good on a resume.
Or, perhaps you don’t want to stray too far away from home, but still want to experience a new environment. Many Ivy League schools offer summer school programs that run from late June to early August. Yale, Harvard, and Columbia’s summer programs are open to anyone, and cost around $10,000, which includes housing and tuition.
If you’re like most ASU students who appreciate the lower tuition rates, but also wish to experience an environment in which the word “swagger” does not exist and where guys don’t wear “bro-tanks,” you’ve most likely been let down by ASU’s study abroad programs. Fear no more, chances to get out surround you. You just have to be willing to look for them.
Reach the columnist at obrunaci@asu.edu
CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, this article previously stated “However, studying abroad at a more popular destination, such as Paris, can cost about $20,000 for one semester. Again, this program fee leaves out tuition.” This is incorrect, the program does include tuition and the column has been updated to reflect this change.
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