Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Texas State U. study abroad fair sends students around the world
By Susan Rauch
The University Star (Texas State U.-San Marcos)
10/02/2007

(U-WIRE) SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State University San Marcos students had an opportunity Thursday to visit with representatives from around the world.

The Texas State Offices of Correspondence, Extension, and Study-Abroad Programs sponsor the Study Abroad Fair every year.

"It is a well-known event and people now expect it.Students know it is coming.The fair gives them a chance to meet face-to-face with programs," said Isis Gomez, continuing education coordinator.

The event is held twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring.This year, about 40 participating programs and countries were at the event, she said.

Travis Arnold, finance junior, said he was just passing by and decided to stop and get some information.

"I was interested in getting school credit while traveling over the mini-session," he said. "The fair is informative and offers a lot of choices."

Some students like Kacey Jenkins, pre-geography-resource and environmental studies junior, have participated in programs before. Jenkins studied last summer in Yucatan.

"The workers are so good at explaining everything," she said. "It is the best thing to meet and be with a group who has never experienced the program before."

This year, the Study-Abroad Office added some new programs, including Chile, Ecuador, Tulum and Cambodia.

Once students attend the Abroad Fair in the fall, many of the programs begin to fill up quickly, Gomez said.Most programs require a registration form and deposit early in the year to hold a spot.

She said she encourages students to participate in study abroad programs, but students are responsible for whether the credit they earn will work with their degree program.

"Fifty percent of the programs represented at this year's fair were not Texas State programs, so students interested in a non-Texas State sponsored program need to verify it is accredited," Gomez said.

Stacie McGee, lecturer adjunct and coordinator of the Canterbury, England program, said she recommends talking to the coordinators or visit the representative's office for scholarships and financial planning options for students who are interested but concerned about funding.

"Students think it's too expensive, but it is really affordable," she said. "Program directors can help students plan financially if they start ahead of time."

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