Still Time For Students To Travel Abroad

Even though the Cal State Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) International Program has doubled its applicants in the last five years there is still a considerable gap between those who show interest and those who apply. “If I had to guess,” International Programs Manager Holly White said, “I would say that maybe one in eight that show interest actually end up applying.”

White also said there are still four open countries for those students who missed the deadline and are regretting that decision. Taiwan, China, Italy and Spain are still accepting applications. Interested students are encouraged to contact Holly White’s office in Green Hall (building 58); students can also be put in contact with returning students who have gone through the process before. Applicants have the chance to meet with Holly and students who have gone abroad to find out what to expect and to get help with the application.

White admits there is a lot of work that goes into studying abroad, not only the application, but the requirements that need to be filled. The harder programs to get into, like Italy and Germany may require extra classes which are not offered at CSUMB but are offered at Monterey Peninsula College for a fee.

There are many informational seminars where students can talk to other students who have successfully completed the Study Abroad program. There are many opportunities for interested students to find out the necessary information.

Even so, there are still several reasons students at CSUMB may not apply to study in another country, for example, junior Marrin Thuston admits she has “wanted to go abroad from the very moment I stepped foot onto the CSUMB campus but from between my parents saying no and all the extra time and money that it would take the opportunity passed me by.” Thuston, now 20 years old, is graduating in the spring of 2013 and notes her one regret being never taking the chance to travel to China.

Many students can find reasons such as family, significant others or money as reasons why not to take the opportunity. When asked why students tend to change their mind on the study abroad experience, White commented that she believes some students are scared of such a big commitment so they find a reason not to go, no matter how small it may be.

White also said when it comes to her job, regret is the biggest thing which gets commented on: regret of not going abroad, or not taking the opportunity to travel and live in another culture. “It’s the things that may not matter in the moment, like prom or studying abroad that people seem to have the most regret in missing.” Even White has regrets about not taking the chance to travel, she studied abroad when she was in college and has had the opportunity since then but regrets never making it to Sweden.

Student Sandra Rivers returned from Sweden last year after spending a year at Uppsala University, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, I didn’t know anyone and it was the first time I would be away from family that long,” said Rivers “But in the end It’s like nothing you have ever experienced, at first it’s scary going to a new place and not knowing anyone but once you put yourself out there you almost just don’t want to come home.” Rivers is graduating next May in Human Communication with a minor in Global Studies and thinking about doing her Masters in Australia.