Sept. 11 still affecting GC&SU

By Amanda O’Donnell
Staff Writer
Glancing at the pile of Study Abroad applications on her desk, Libby Davis, director for The International Study Abroad Program, notices the stack is not quite as thick as it was this time last year.
“I usually receive a surge of applications just before deadline, so I am not too worried about this year’s turnout,” said Davis. “I am hopeful to have the same, if not more, participation than last year.”
GC&SU offers Study Abroad enrichment programs to all students; however, this year, the International program hopes to keep student interest and participation at an optimum level, especially after Sept. 11.
Dr. Dwight Call, assistant vice president and director of the International Education Center, stressed the importance of overseas study.
“Study abroad students begin to look at the world in new and different ways, which is vital to their developing the analytical skills required by a liberal arts education,” said Call. In a word, Call describes the experience of studying in another country as, “life-changing”.
The program is so versatile, any student may study virtually any subject, practically anywhere in the world! If you are interested in earning college credit via summer sessions, Maymesters, or exchange programs in Paris, the Bahamas, or Australia, studying abroad is just what you’ve been looking for. Credit can be earned by under grads and graduate students alike. Also, core requirements and classes for specific majors may also be satisfied. But hurry and fill out your application now.
“The Bahamas Maymester program is nearly full, and we’ve had many more students abroad for the semester this spring (and next fall) than ever,” said Call.
There seems to be only two issues the IEC faces with recruiting students to join in, “finances and getting the word out,” said Call.
Don’t worry about the cost. There are many avenues of financial aid to be explored, designed specifically for students who yearn for a chance to see the world. The Weir/ Wells Scholarship funded by GC&SU alumna is available to students with a GPA of at least 3.0. The HOPE scholarship will also pay a percentage for classes overseas, just as the scholarship does here. Not to mention countless student loans and fundraising events to partake in order to increase funds.
“Many students think they can’t afford to study abroad. By the time they put together Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Hope Scholarships, and Weir/Wells and Regents Scholarships (and others), anyone who really wants to study abroad can manage it. They should come into the International Center, and we can show them how they can afford it,” said Call.
The IEC is going to continue efforts to help with student involvement.
“We keep plugging away, getting articles in the Colonnade, speaking in classes, sending emails, putting up flyers, etc., etc. And the word is spreading,” said Call. As far as what he thinks about this year’s involvement? In agreement with Davis, a confident Call says, “It’s too early to guess how many will participate this year, but we’ll probably have as many or more than last!”
Deadline to apply for scholarships is Feb. 1, and the deadline for Study Abroad applications is March 1. For more information on Studying Abroad contact Libby Davis or Dwight Call. Or log on to the GC&SU website and click on International Studies/Study.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 7 2001. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry