Financial aid and scholarships can help students see the world
Brittany Meyer
Staff Writer
Summary: UMBC’s Study Abroad Office offered financial tips to students interested in studying abroad in a meeting last week.
For students considering studying abroad but who are hesitant because of the prohibitive cost, UMBC’s Study Abroad Office held an information session about financial aid and scholarships for study abroad programs.
Stephen Moore, a Study Abroad Office coordinator, encouraged the students who came to Wednesday’s meeting by sharing his experiences studying abroad in Swansea, Wales.
While providing information about the overall program, Moore couldn’t help but reflect on his memories. “There was just something about sitting in a classroom and all you could see is ocean,” said Moore.
The faculty at UMBC want their students to gain a global outlook and expand their horizons through international travel. According to the study abroad website, a global outlook and cross-cultural skills learned during study abroad programs are necessary in today’s diverse world. The Study Abroad Office doesn’t want expense to get in the way of UMBC students who wish to study abroad.
At the meeting, students learned about scholarships to apply for as well as financial aid to help pay for their personal excursion. For more information about these opportunities, Moore advised the students to contact Brian Souders or Katherine Hierd and to visit studyabroad.umbc.edu.
Other discounts are also provided. By visiting studentuniverse.com, students are eligible to receive discount flight tickets.
Studying abroad is offered all year round. Winter and spring applications are due Oct. 10 and summer and fall applications are needed by March 10.
There are two types of programs. Exchange programs have UMBC students swap with a student from a foreign university. Affiliate programs are far more structured and organized by the university or group outside of UMBC. Applicants just have to figure out which one they would prefer.
Why would studying abroad be something to consider? Not only will participants earn college credit, but also they will grow as a person while living in and learning about another culture!
Moore drove his point home by explaining how he handled living in the city. Being more of a country and small town person, living in the city put him in spots that were quite challenging but not impossible. Throwing himself out there and getting out of his comfort zone was quite the growing experience. He wouldn’t have done it any other way.
He encourages future students to not just study abroad for the credits and to make their resumes more competitive, but also venture out of their comfort zones. Studying abroad will change students as people and expand their horizons, and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
