Students prepare to meet Global Education deadline

Applications for Concordia spring 2015 study abroad, study away trips due March 7

With spring semester in full swing, Cobbers are busy doing homework and meeting deadlines, but for those hoping to travel during their time at Concordia, one particular deadline is approaching quickly. March 7 will mark the final day to submit study away applications for the spring of 2015.

With the help of the Global Learning department, the application process can be made smoother and less complicated, leaving more time to look forward to a spring semester elsewhere.

Tori Benders, a sophomore studying in Washington D.C. next spring, advises fellow classmates to start the process as soon as possible.

“If anyone is thinking about studying abroad but isn’t quite sure what program they want to do or where they want to go,” Benders said, “definitely set up meetings with the study abroad advisors in the global learning office.”

The Global Learning office has advisors ready and eager to help with students’ study away questions.

Kristin Lettner, a study away advisor, is meeting with students to discuss their study away options. For anyone worried they are too far behind to travel next spring, she says it’s “not too late.”

With more than 30 study away programs departing next spring, students have a wide selection to ensure their needs are met. To find the ideal program, Lettner advises applicants to “be aware of their personal interests and their major.” Students should review the classes required for their major and find out which requirements they can satisfy abroad.

Global Learning offers a spectrum of different ways to help finance study away experiences. During your semester away from Concordia, students pay for Concordia tuition. This means that any scholarships Concordia awards will still account towards payment. Other means of payment include loans and scholarships awarded specifically for students who are studying abroad.

Concordia does not offer any additional scholarships to pay for studying away, however the Global Learning page lists many outside scholarships that are available. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive grants and loans for the next academic year and consider either a Federal Direct Parent Loan or a private loan to cover the remaining costs of studying away.

Global Learning suggests scheduling an appointment with the financial aid office before accepting additional loans.

There are many study away opportunities being offered by Global Education. A few newer ones are departing in the spring of 2015, including semesters in Glasgow, Scotland and two programs in India studying global business or social justice, peace, and development.

Lettner is particularly enthusiastic about a new program at Temple University in Tokyo, Japan.

“It is an English-speaking campus and the students have an opportunity to have an internship,” she said.

While most are headed to countries overseas, the Global Education office offers programs for students who want to study domestically. Included are semesters in Chicago, studying arts, entrepreneurship and urban studies. There are also two options in Washington D.C. at either American University or the Lutheran College Washington semester program.

        Benders chose to study domestically in Washington D.C. in the spring of 2015. She will be interning in the city while taking evening classes.

“I decided to go to D.C. because I will be able to have an internship and get real world work experience in career fields I hope to pursue someday,” Benders said. “It also fits a lot better with my majors than many of the abroad programs.”

Junior Aaron Thompson is currently studying abroad in Galway, Ireland. For him, all of the planning and preparing has proved fruitful as he enjoys his time studying in a different country.

To future travelers, he recommends trying “to be as prepared as possible in terms of getting classes to transfer…even the best laid plans don’t work (out) so you have to be willing to live in the unknown for a little bit because being here and this experience is definitely worth it.”

For initial interest regarding studying away, search “Global Learning” at www.cord.edu. To begin selecting the right program, complete a “Study Away Inquiry Form,” and then schedule an advising meeting to begin the process.

This article was written by Ivy Estenson, contributing author.