By Serena Gomez |Staff Writer|
If you want to visit an exotic place, experience different cultures, and receive college credit for it, go study abroad.
At CSUSB there is an opportunity for students to study abroad in over 20 different countries.
Take advantage of this opportunity to travel abroad by letting the world be your classroom.
According to the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP) website, “CSUSB hosts almost 1,000 international students from over 53 different countries.”
Why aren’t more CSUSB students visiting other countries? Most people would say that it is because of financial situations.
However, if you stopped going to Starbucks every morning for a year or two and saved, you could use that money to pay for the trip.
“After you go for a summer, you want to go for a year […] I was hooked,” said student Rafael Orozco.
The price of the trip, tuition, food, airfare, and personal expenses all vary based on what country you decide to study in.
For example, if you visit Valladolid, Spain it is estimated to be a total of $5,909, according to the summer 2016 Study Abroad Summer Program project budget for Spain.
According to Orozco, the cost to study in Spain for a summer has become less expensive than when he went four years ago.
It may be a little more on the expensive side when you are taking a trip over seas but once you are over the Atlantic Ocean, traveling expenses are not as bad.
If you plan ahead, save the money you get back during tax season, and save some of the money that you receive in financial aid, going to another country for a summer is in arms length.
“I went to Sweden for a year, and from there went to visit 10 different countries,” said student Aldair Ocampo.
When traveling to another country you get the opportunity to see and experience other cultural lifestyles; you become a more diverse person.
Expanding your knowledge of the world is beneficial.
Do not wait until you are old and wrinkly to travel when you can go during the prime years of your life.
Travel while you have no ties to a spouse, children, medicine, walkers, or careers.
There are requirements in order to study abroad, such as maintaining a certain GPA and turning in your payment on time to the Study Abroad office.
The deadline to travel abroad this summer is approaching; final payments are due April 15.
If you are interested in studying abroad, go to an informational session or visit the Study Abroad office in College of Education, Room 348.
“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you can occupy in the world,” stated French novelist Gustave Flaubert.
Get more than just a degree in college, view other parts of the world as well.
I know that living in another country for a quarter or more without knowing anybody is a little frightening, but do not overthink it! Be adventurous and explore.
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