Although Study Abroad is encouraged as part of the college experience, it is often seen as unaffordable by many. Numbers of those who go on the trips has tripled, but colleges need to find creative ways to target racial and ethnic minorities, men, working adults, lower-income and first-generation college students—all are underrepresented abroad.
As tuition increases will colleges be able to bridge the gap?
Article here.
Chasity, as tuition increases I think it will become even more difficult to bridge the gap between minority students, etc. and studying abroad. Although a great experience it is a costly one. However, I like what NC A&T is doing. I think more colleges need to use this method. Often, colleges talk about how great and rewarding the experience is, but do very little to help students see how they can finance the trip. Mr. Ogden (in the article) makes a great point in his statement that shorter trips should be emphasized and encouraged since some students, particularly the target population in the article may not be able to commit to a semester or year-long trip due to other obligations.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in addition to showing students that studying abroad is affordable, colleges/advisers/professors need to help students figure out a better way to fit in the trip. Studying abroad may add an additional semester to students' time in college, which requires more money for school. So, instead of graduating in 4 years and finding a job to earn money, they are in school for 4.5 years which means they are now spending more money.