Summer travels across the world

   With the academic year wrapping up, most students have made their summer plans. For some students it’s back to work, for others it’s still a time to throw out all the books and just relax. For others however, it’s a chance to hop on a plane and explore a whole new part of life while taking summer classes. There are a large amount of students who travel both fall and spring semesters but there are a few who chose to study else where in the summer months.

   Keene State College junior Sara Oberle plans to travel abroad this summer not just for the learning experience, but for an amazing life experience. “I’m going to Florence for a month. But before that, I’m going to Athens, Greece for five days,” Oberle said. Like many students, Oberle said she’s going because she may never have another opportunity like this again.

   “I have talked to people who have graduated and they said that their one regret in college was not studying abroad,” Oberle said.

   “I just know this experience is going to be amazing. I have always wanted to  travel to another country, and now that I have the opportunity there is no way I am going to let it pass me by,” Oberle said.

    Another KSC student who plans to travel abroad is junior Alison Mangan. Mangan  will join Oberle in Florence, Italy.

    “I’m studying abroad because I’m interested in other cultures, specifically in Europe because there are so many diverse cultures that are easily accessible once in Europe,” Mangan said. Similar to studying abroad during the traditional academic year, each student must exemplify the same eligibility requirements for studying abroad over the summer. First, studying away can begin for a student the summer after their freshman year. The student must be a full-time student and have 15 or more KSC credits. Although some programs require a student to have a 3.0 GPA or greater, other programs only require a 2.5 GPA. Students must also be in good academic, disciplinary and financial standing with the college to travel abroad.

   If all requirements are met, students can study abroad for up to six semesters, while earning credits towards their major, minor and electives.

 Additionally,  studying abroad can be slightly more expensive than  the standard tuition. However, it can also be the same as a semester KSC or even cheaper depending on the destination. Moreover, Mangan  said this year is the first summer where a large number of students are studying abroad.

 Like most students who study abroad during the summer, Mangan said she chose the summer semester because she couldn’t fit an entire semester abroad into a busy schedule during the fall or spring.

 “I have always wanted to go abroad and this was definitely the perfect alternative,” Mangan said.

 The national exchange office encourages that students who cannot afford the cost of studying abroad, or cannot afford to take a semester across the world, they should consider the alternative of studying abroad in the summer.
    
      Amanda Sawyer can be contacted at asawyer@keeneequinox.com