With the semester coming to an end, students are preparing for their summer break and creating their schedules for the next fall semester. However, some students are taking on a unique opportunity and preparing to study abroad over summer break or to be fully abroad when the fall semester starts.
“I think all students should at least consider studying abroad or do it. Although I have not gone yet, I know studying abroad gives you an amazing opportunity to grow yourself and your individualism,” sophomore Megan Chambers said. “College is a time for someone to figure out who they are and who they want to be, and traveling to another country and having to essentially start over is an awesome way to do that. It sounds drastic, but I have already figured out so much about myself just from researching the place I am staying and how to travel from city to city.”
Chambers is planning on studying abroad in Paris, France. She has long wished to study abroad in Paris, having her childhood bedroom modeled after Paris. Chambers was given the opportunity to go abroad to Costa Rica her senior year of high school and it made her excited to study abroad.
“This was something I was not able to pass up, so I decided to go for about ten days. On top of all the fun activities and adventures we went on, I learned so much about the culture, food, language, and other great experiences I wouldn’t have just sitting in class,” Chambers said. “After this experience, I knew it was imperative that I see the world again. I had learned so much in such a short time, that I craved more knowledge on other cultures.”
Chambers is going abroad in-part because she is an Honors student. The Honors Program requires students to go abroad for a minimum of four weeks if they wish to graduate with Honors. The program offers significant financial support in helping students pay for study abroad. Students who are majoring in any language courses, are also required to study abroad in a country that speaks the language you major in. Students who have accumulated 60 credits are also given a financial aid package to help them study abroad.
Anyone interested in studying abroad can reach out to Director of International Programs Tim Burge who helps students organize their study abroad. You can email him at timothy.burge@doane.edu or visit his office in Student Affairs.
