7 Tips to Help Students Pay for Study Abroad

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

With the school year starting up for most higher education institutions, students are once again thinking about study abroad programs. If you were to ask any current student why they don’t take part in study abroad, most will say because the programs tend to come at a high cost. Only about 16% of all undergraduate students study abroad every year. However, most institutions offer hundreds and thousands of dollars in scholarships, it’s just a matter of learning about the opportunities and applying. Along with that, there are many study abroad programs that are deemed more affordable, including short-term faculty-led programs and virtual international education options. 

Here are some tips on making study abroad more affordable:

Apply financial aid to the cost of studying abroad

• Check if you qualify for financial aid at the Federal Office of Financial Aid

• Research your study abroad options early on to include the cost in the financial aid application for the year.

• Going on a faculty-led program as part of a course taken during the semester is a great option.

Apply for study abroad scholarships

• Check with your study abroad office about the amounts, the process, and deadlines for internal scholarships

• Explore external scholarships online, here are just some of the many opportunities

• Many Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs and other community organizations and foundations also offer scholarships for international study and travel. Ask your financial aid office and research online!

Opt for a shorter program

• Because faculty-led and other short-term programs involve only a limited time overseas, they usually have the advantage of being considerably less expensive.

• Take a look at our sample faculty-led programs to get a sense of what’s involved

Consider a virtual study abroad

• Virtual study abroad programs range in length, therefore, faculty can find the perfect fit for their students

• These programs cost a fraction of the cost of traditional study abroad, require much less time, and are more accessible for all

Check with the government of the country you want to study abroad in

• Many countries give financial support to international students studying abroad

• Some scholarships are country specific. CollegeScholarships.org is a great resource if you know which country you want to travel to. Here is a sample list of opportunities for Peru 

Browse the web!

• IIE Passport is a comprehensive search engine for all study abroad programs registered with the Institute for International Education.

• Scholarship Portal provides a comprehensive search system for scholarships available throughout Europe; you can search by region, country, and discipline.

Check with your department or college

• Most universities are aware of how the cost of studying abroad can be the number one reason why students don’t participate, therefore, they allocate certain money specifically for students in specific majors to study abroad

• Schedule a time to meet with your department chair or academic advisor about scholarships for study abroad

Don’t let money get in your way of studying abroad! When you have the funds secured, check out another blog of ours for a student’s perspective on choosing and planning a study abroad trip. 

Resources to Help Transition Back to Faculty-Led Study Abroad

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

With about 157 million people in the United States being fully vaccinated, and the number steadily increasing, people are beginning to see the light of a post-COVID world. We have begun planning a few faculty-led study abroad trips later this year and the beginning of next year. While some destinations are safe to travel to again, others remain a challenge. For faculty and study abroad advisors once again developing travel programs, the resources listed below can be helpful when evaluating risk and selecting destinations:

Early morning in Antigua, Guatemala.

Resources for Planning a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program after COVID-19

1. Get the latest travel advisories for any country in the world from the CDC and the US Dept. of State.

   • Most of the countries in the world currently have a level 3 (reconsider travel) or level 4 (do not travel) advisory due to COVID-19. We expect this to change in the near future as vaccination rates increase.

   • El Salvador is the only country in Latin America that currently has a level 2 advisory (exercise increased caution).

2. For a view of the future, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations is a great tool to see projections of COVID-19 around the world as well as specific regions and countries.

   • Global infections are projected to decrease significantly starting in August. We recommend delaying decisions about Spring 2022 programs until September or October if possible.

3. Read blogs and announcements on how universities and study abroad providers are ensuring safety and success to their participants.

   • Professor Michelle Groover, from Georgia Southern University, shared on her LinkedIn page 8 tips for professors leading a study abroad program. She originally shared this information and more on the blog, The Professor is Out.

As the world has navigated through the unknowns of 2020 and now 2021, the way we live our lives has drastically changed. Learn From Travel and our partners remain updated on regional hazards and trends through a trusted network of local contacts as well as the CDC, World Health Organization, and destination country governments. Utilizing multiple resources provides a balanced and varied perspective to provide our team and students an accurate picture of global safety status at any given time.

At Learn From Travel, we are hopeful that the future of all study abroad programs is bright. We continue to focus on the culturally immersive programs we offer students, faculty and staff, and partners. Our mission is to provide life changing experiences to students while contributing economically to host communities. Our operations are laser-focused on providing the highest quality service specifically for faculty-led programs, both virtual and travel-based.

If you are wanting to take students on their own cultural experience abroad, contact us or check out our website for more details on the programs we offer.

Planning a Faculty-led Study Abroad Program for the first time? Here is what to expect.

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

Planning to take students abroad for the first time can be intimidating, especially after a pandemic. As the world becomes accustomed to the new “normal,” we can expect the study abroad industry to see some changes as well. We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Sabith Khan, a Director and Assistant Professor at California Lutheran University and Adjunct Faculty at Virginia Tech. 

Sabith is currently planning his first study abroad program based in Oaxaca, Mexico with Learn from Travel. Virginia Tech students will gain first-hand experience with a case study for migration and unique culture, coupled with unforgettable natural and historical attractions, and authentic interaction with local students.

Planning His First Study Abroad Program

Through our conversation with Sabith, we got an insight into the preparation and the process of planning a program abroad. He shared tips, how he got started, how the pandemic has impacted his trip, and his thoughts on the future of study abroad. Check out this episode of our Industry Insights series below. Industry Insights offer the inside scoop on study abroad from those working directly in the industry. 

If you are wanting to take students on their own cultural experience abroad, contact us or check out our FLSA programs to learn more.

Ins and Outs of Studying Abroad in Jamaica

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

June is National Caribbean-American Heritage Month! With that, Learn From Travel is planning a study abroad program in Jamaica where students will get the chance to experience the Jamaican culture and lifestyle. Jamaica is home to a little under 3 million people and offers its people and visitors a lush topography of mountains, rainforests, and reef-lined beaches. Jamaica is internationally prominent in sports and is famed as the birthplace of reggae music, and its capital Kingston is home to the Bob Marley Museum, dedicated to the famous singer.

Maroon drumming demonstration in Charles Town, Jamaica

What Can Your Students Do While Studying Abroad in Jamaica

Learn From Travel’s sample program allows students to visit three Maroon communities, each with a unique history and perspective on the colonial past and dynamic present of Jamaican culture. Students will visit important cultural and historical sites near Kingston and Montego Bay, as well as the Rastafari Indigenous Village. The program will paint a picture of the successful resistance to colonialism as well as modern-day resilience to challenges faced by the people of Jamaica.

Students will visit Port Royal, a peninsula community near Kingston. Port Royal, founded in 1518 by the Spanish, was once the largest city in the Caribbean. The infamous pirate Henry Morgan used it as his base. After a disastrous earthquake struck in 1692, the town’s commercial role declined in favor of nearby Kingston. Today, Port Royal is a heritage and historical site. Students will also tour Fort Charles, a fort that guards the entrance to Port Royal, built in 1655. They will also visit the cultural site, museum, and home to Marcus Garvey. He is a national hero in Jamaica for encouraging self-worth among the African Diaspora despite poverty and discrimination. 

The program also includes a visit to Moore Town, another Maroon community located in the John Crow Mountains of the Portland Parish. Upon arrival, they’ll meet with community leaders to discuss Moore Town’s unique history, including the 1740 Peace Treaty that was signed by the British and the Windward Maroons. Students will also get to hike Nanny Falls. This secluded waterfall is named after Nanny of the Maroons, an honored military leader of the First Maroon War of 1720-1739. Nanny is regarded as a National Hero and is the only woman to have received the title of “Right Excellent” from the Jamaican government. The falls are believed to have healing properties, and in the past were used by Maroon soldiers to prepare for battle. Lastly, students will get to explore Montego Bay. This will include a trip to the beach, the Cultural Center in Sam Sharpe Square, and the craft market.

Battle horn demonstration in Charles Town

What Free Time in Jamaica Can Look Like For Your Students

Jamaica is home to over 4.5 million tourists a year and over 900 U.S. university students who are studying abroad. In their free time, students can enjoy the oldest 9 hole golf course in the caribbean, tour the High Mountain coffee factory, visit Mrs. Stephenson's Garden or catch a glimpse of Jamaica's 25 endemic bird species all in the city of Manchester. Jamaica is also home to Carnival, a popular festival held usually in March. Outside of the ocean and beach life, students can take a safari on the Black River and view the Americanus Crocodillus, the cousin of the Nile crocodile. Students can also take a canopy tour and swing through the trees like Tarzan. Jamaica also offers a Negril sightseeing tour where students can visit local shops, walk on the white sand beaches and visit the popular Rick's Cafe. Other fun activities include:

• Dunn’s River Falls and Park: Located in Ocho Rios, students can take a guided climb of the waterfall, hike a trail alongside it or just recline and relax on the beach at the bottom. 

• Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park: The peak of the mountain rises to an altitude of 7,402 feet. The park is globally known for its biodiversity.

• Bob Marley Museum: Located in Kingston, this museum occupies the former home of Bob Marley. Inside, students will see personal artifacts, Marley's personal recording studio and his bedroom, among other highlights.

Traditional Dishes and Experiences of Jamaica

As for students studying abroad in Jamaica, they’ll be happy to know that there is an abundance of coffee! Coffee, especially from the gorgeous Blue Mountain area, where the beans are harvested high above sea level, is one of the country’s main exports.

The food and flavorings of Jamaica are a melding of many cultures, including African, French, and Spanish, making dishes, like Jamaican patties, and goat curry, an exploration into a diverse cuisine. In addition, jerk chicken, made with pimiento wood, Jamaican spices, and the obligatory Scotch Bonnet peppers, is the pride of Jamaican food. There is a special method for cooking meats that result in this flavor and a particular homemade sauce that is used in most instances for the incredible, spicy taste. Locals wash down this delicious fare with another well-known product of Jamaica: rum. 

The making of jerk chicken, Jamaica

Jamaica’s national dish is ackee and codfish, or ackee and saltfish as it is more popularly known. It is made with the ackee fruit which grows in abundance in Jamaica and has become an island staple served side by side with stewed salted codfish. The trick is knowing when the ackee fruit is ripe. It is ripe when the ackee pod typically bursts open, revealing a yellow fruit inside. The yellow part is the part you eat, and ackee can resemble scrambled eggs when cooked.

When it comes to visiting a new country, a must-do is always trying new and original dishes. The casual restaurant, Miss T’s Kitchen, gives diners a full sense of the pride locals have over their country and people. A trip to Jamaica is not complete until you’ve had jerk chicken, and the best place to get authentic jerk is at Scotchies. This is one of the places to get a taste of history to go along with your spicy meal. 

If you are wanting to take students on their own cultural experience abroad, request a proposal or check out some of the faculty-led sample programs we offer, including our Jamaican History and Culture program. 

Study Abroad Selection Process: A Student’s Perspective

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

I grew up moving every few years within Mexico and the U.S. so I’ve learned to really appreciate new cities and environments. Growing up, I’ve always loved traveling, whether that was a short road trip or a plane ride across the ocean. This May I completed my second year studying Public Relations at the University of Texas at Austin. It’s a sort of bittersweet moment because I only have a year and a half left before graduation in December 2022. Since I was little, I knew I wanted to take part in a study abroad or exchange program. That was until 2020 when everything changed and traveling seemed like some type of myth. 

In the midst of a global pandemic, I began working here, at Learn From Travel, and have been able to learn more about the ins and outs of faculty-led study abroad programs. At my university, most programs aren’t announced until the semester before so it can become quite difficult to plan ahead when you want to study abroad. However, I have taken a few actions to get the ball rolling on the possibility of studying abroad before I graduate. 

The Study Abroad Selection Process

The idea of studying abroad came to mind at the end of my freshman year of college, however, I knew I wanted to wait until the latter part of my college years to study abroad. Therefore, I currently plan to study abroad from May-June of 2022 before I graduate that December. 

The first thing I researched was the different types of programs I have available to me. My university offers faculty-led, exchange, affiliated, internship, and research programs, all offered for semester-long or shorter-term periods. Although all of the different types of programs are interesting and beneficial in their own way, I knew pretty quickly that I wanted to do some sort of faculty-led program. The process became overwhelming quite quickly so I found myself making appointments with academic advisors and education abroad advisors that my school offered. The first thing I learned throughout this ongoing process was that it is better to start planning early rather than late. Finding a way to fit a study abroad program into regular college years takes time and preparation so I began as soon as I could. 

After countless hours of research, I decided I wanted to take part in a Maymester program. At UT Austin, these four-week faculty-led study abroad programs consist of three-credit courses that typically take place from mid-May to mid-June. Courses are offered annually in a variety of academic subjects. With my studies being in public relations, I began looking not only into courses that are required for my major but also courses that are focused on related topics and subjects. 

As of now, everything has fallen into place when it comes to the idea of me studying abroad next year. The only possible hardship that I can expect is financial setbacks. Like most things in college, study abroad can come with quite a price tag. However, with adequate preparation, planning, and dedication, it is likely to get assistance from organizations and funding sources that specifically work to help students reach their study abroad dreams. I was completely taken back by the number of scholarships and opportunities there are for students who want to study abroad. They are not only directly from my university but there are regional and national scholarships that students can apply to in order to make the study abroad experience less financially stressful. Judging from the stories I have heard from students who have studied abroad, I am certain that financial difficulties should not be a reason for a student to not have the opportunity to experience a culturally immersive program. 

Choosing a Place to Study Abroad

The hardest part so far has been choosing a location to study abroad. Even now, this is still very much up in the air for me. My school offers numerous programs all located in different countries, so the options can feel endless. After working at Learn From Travel and getting the chance to speak with students and faculty involved in study abroad, I have come to the conclusion that no matter what place I end up choosing, the experience and cultural immersion will be limitless. Every country has a unique experience to offer students. Many advisors I spoke to constantly reminded me to choose a program based on the benefits of the country along with the course, not just on the country itself. Overall, I would love to study in Latin America since I am fluent in both Spanish and English. It would be a great opportunity for me to continue practicing my Spanish-speaking skills in a more natural environment. 

Looking Forward to the Study Abroad Experience

For the past year that I have been planning my study abroad experience, I know that most of my decisions won’t be made until a few months before once my school announces the programs they are offering for that May. I am eager to find all the fun tourist attractions once I know the area where I will be studying. Although this process became stressful at times and had many unknowns, the faculty and peers around me made this process much easier for me. Getting to see the behind-the-scenes of study abroad programs through my work at Learn From Travel made me realize just how much time and effort is put into each and every program schools offer. By the time it is my time to study abroad, my knowledge will only have grown. Although much of my experience continues to be up in the air, I know whichever program I choose, the adventure and knowledge will be worthwhile. 

Inside Look into the Transition from Travel to Virtual Study Abroad

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people live their lives, do business and make decisions. It changed everything and anything the world knew about life. Schools were moved to online learning, people were working from home, and all travel came to a sudden halt. For us, we had to reimagine what study abroad looked like for students and faculty. 

While navigating through the many unknowns, the Learn From Travel team worked diligently with schools and faculty to best encompass travel study abroad in a virtual format. We got a chance to talk with Charity Eckhardt, a faculty-led program advisor from the University of Northern Iowa, who we worked alongside vigorously to bring virtual study abroad to students in March. 

Charity’s Firsthand Experience with Virtual Study Abroad in a Pandemic

In our conversation with Charity, we got the inside scoop into how travel study abroad turned virtual. She shared with us the challenges, advantages, and surprises that came with this culturally immersive program. Charity had a firsthand look from start to finish to what the virtual study abroad process consisted of. Here is what she had to say:

Where Are We Headed? 

As we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel with COVID-19, we begin to reimagine what study abroad will look like. Will we continue offering virtual study abroad alongside travel study abroad? Will we incorporate aspects of both travel and virtual study abroad into one style of program? No one really knows quite yet but the future for study abroad is bright. The Learn From Travel team continues to offer programs for students and faculty to become culturally aware and immerse themselves in multiple countries and communities. 

If you are wanting to take students on their own cultural experience abroad, contact us or check out our website for more details on the programs we offer.

Virtual Study Abroad Through the Eyes of a Student

by Lara Garanzuay, Communications Specialist

With virtual study rapidly gaining in popularity, we wanted to take the opportunity to get student feedback on our programs. I recently had the chance to speak with Molly Estes, a student at Agnes Scott College, who participated in virtual study abroad programs based in Sierra Leone.

Molly is a senior, double majoring in German Studies and Political Science. She was a Schmidt Scholar that worked as a peer leader and teaching assistant in our Sierra Leone Virtual Program. Despite her being initially interested in taking a trip to Germany, she ultimately decided to go on our Sierra Leone trip. Although she chose to participate in order to complete her Global Specialization requirement of her degree at Agnes Scott, she mostly wanted to gain a deeper understanding of a country that is tied to her home state in ways she would not have been able to without this virtual study abroad program. 

Our Conversation with Molly Estes

In the interview with Molly, we got the chance to ask her about her thoughts on the Learn From Travel Sierra Leone program but also her virtual study abroad experience. Additionally, we got an insight into her opinions and tips on the future of virtual study abroad. 

Looking Towards the Future

Gaining insights into the student experience is essential as we move forward with both virtual and travel study abroad. We continue to believe that virtual study abroad is here to stay, and we’re striving to make the experience for students, faculty, and global partners more beneficial and rewarding. 

If you’re interested in virtual study abroad, find more details about Learn from Travel’s programs here or contact us.