What is that one thing you will hold the most dear to you after graduating (besides your diploma, of course)? Will it be the good grades, or how about being able to sleep in without stressing over how much homework you have left to do? Or will it be those cherished experiences you created during your time in college?

One thing that can help you foster amazing experiences in college is studying abroad. Studying abroad will enrich your life in various ways and open up doors for countless opportunities.

By studying abroad, you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in various cultures, customs and you develop first-hand knowledge of societies that were once foreign to you. Above all, you get the chance to gain a competitive advantage by gaining global understanding and being able to study your major from an international perspective.

Charity Rose Vasquez (freshman, Criminal Justice) finds studying abroad a worthwhile experience to have.

“To take part in such a program sounds amazing. To be able to complete my education in different settings all around the world while also getting to obtain knowledge about the customs and culture of that specific areas sounds truly worthwhile,” Vasquez said.

If given the chance, Vasquez would choose to go to Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Great Britain or Greece to do her studies.

Currently, California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), works with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) and California State University (CSU) International Programs (IP) to offer opportunities in different countries in a variety of disciplines.

In order to be eligible for the programs, it is required you have at least a 2.75 GPA, others require a 3.0 GPA. It all depends on the specific program eligibility requirements.

USAC is a conglomerate of U.S. universities offering study abroad programs that offers semester, yearlong, winter and summer programs. Students can choose to study abroad through USAC while maintaining their Stan State status.

Some of the programs that USAC offers are: Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Netherlands and Scotland.

CSU IP, on the other hand, is the official study abroad program of the CSU system and offers a yearlong program only.

If you think you are not able to afford studying abroad, think again. Studying abroad is affordable and the programs offer financial aid and various number of scholarship opportunities. CSU IP is the most affordable option at the CSU level because the cost of the program is the same or even lower to studying at a CSU campus.

The CSU IP programs with lower estimate costs than CSU include countries like: Sweden, Taiwan, China, Ghana, Mexico, Chile, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, South Korea and Japan.

Victor Gonzalez (senior, Communication Studies) said that he has considered studying abroad in Madrid, Spain; however, his commitments to his full-time job and his significant other has prevented him from taking up the opportunity to study abroad.

Despite that, Gonzalez adds, “I feel that studying abroad would help me gain more insight into another culture and a different perspective would enable me to obtain a heightened sense of adversity and diversifying.”

Joel Ramirez (senior, Communication Studies) considered studying abroad as well.

“I know that I can learn more about other cultures and also learn more about myself by putting myself in new and different environments,” Ramirez said. Like another student, Ramirez would like to study in Great Britain or Italy.

Currently, CSU IP offers year-long study abroad programs in 18 countries and with 62 programs or areas of study to choose from, such as: Business, History, Art, English Literature, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Journalism, Child Development, International Relations, Economics and Communications to name a few.

You can visit CSU IP and USAC for a full list of the popular programs, areas of study and cost estimates.

There are various reasons that prevent students from studying abroad. Some students believe they have to be fluent in another language to study abroad or they fear going abroad will delay graduating on time. Little to no prior language is required to study abroad in some programs, plus there are programs that offer full instructions in English.

Studying abroad will not delay graduation either. According to Stan State’s Office of International Education on the school’s website, “before going abroad, you will meet with your advisor to complete a Study Abroad Academic Advisement Form on which you will identify what classes you will take overseas and what Stanislaus State credit you will be awarded for completing those classes. Sometimes students want to study abroad in a country where courses may not be offered in their majors. In such cases, most students declare a minor and earn credits toward that minor while they are studying abroad. For example, many students study abroad to complete minors in foreign languages.”

Fabiola Rodriguez (senior, Communication Studies) hoped to study abroad in her time at Stan State, but due to various reasons, she could not pursue her dream.

“I did consider studying abroad, my dream was to study in Spain but due to my doubts, I did not have enough knowledge to pursue my dream,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added, “In my opinion, I think studying abroad opens a new beginning and a new chapter in your life. You could grow as a person and most importantly travel and learn about other cultures.”

Harmeet Kaur (freshman, Senior) states that she would love to have the chance to get her education in another country.

“Exploring another country and learning their culture would be a great experience. What is stopping me is my parents, they do not want me to go far away,” Kaur said.

If you have ever had the slightest desire to study abroad, really consider taking yourself up on that offer. Eventually, we will all graduate and find careers, but having the chance to study abroad will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Studying abroad will be the most valuable decision you have ever made for enriching your college experience and growing as an individual. Plus, it will make for great stories to tell family and friends!

Take a step towards making life changing memories and attend a Study Abroad information session. All sessions will be held in the Student Services Building Room 128. For questions contact (209) 667-3117 or email at [email protected].

The upcoming Study Abroad Infosession dates are as listed:

• Tuesday, October 10 at 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, October 18 at 2 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26 at 12 p.m.
• Friday, November 3 at 11 a.m.
• Monday, November 6 at 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 14 at 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 29 at 9 a.m.