While all students were pulled from their respective study abroad programs last spring and safely brought home, the Office of International Education and Programs is hopeful that despite COVID-19, students will be able to travel come the spring semester.
The application’s deadline to go abroad was Oct. 15, but the office held a Zoom presentation on the same day discussing different opportunities and how to prepare financially for any sort of study abroad program.
The presentation was led by Jessica Hernandez, a study abroad coordinator for the office, who said a lot of students still want to go abroad to get an international experience. She also mentioned it is a possibility that programs may have to wait until the fall, depending on how COVID-19 plays out.
During the presentation, students were able to learn about different programs that SUNY Oswego offers, between exchange programs, internships and even year-long programs. Those programs allow a student from those countries to study at SUNY Oswego, while a student from SUNY Oswego can study in those other countries which “cuts down the cost of the program significantly.”
A bulk of Hernandez’s presentation revolved around the finances of studying abroad. Whether it be applying for scholarships through the office or using financial aid that students might already receive, the office has financial aid advisors that can assist the students every step of the way. Students also use loans and savings to pay for costs, Hernandez said.
“You’re going overseas and you’re still paying our office and paying SUNY Oswego to study at Oswego. Your tuition is still through Oswego,” Hernandez said. “It’s a lot easier than it seems. We do have a long list of people set up and established to help you with that process to make it as simple as possible.”
Hernandez said that most of the programs offered have included housing costs, but some allow students to opt out of program-sponsored housing. Hernandez added that the office does not recommend one way or another for specific types of housing.
When it comes to finances, Hernandez recommends creating a weekly budget by either making a spreadsheet or using different finance apps, like Mint. When Hernandez studied abroad, she said she spent “x” amount of Euros every week and then adjusted accordingly throughout the week if she wanted to do different things that might have been more expensive.
For students concerned about traveling overseas during the pandemic, the office has also created new virtual, remote internships with companies based around the world. While there has not been any decrease in interest from actually leaving the country, Hernandez said the virtual programs are able to tap into a new market of students who initially had no interest in going abroad.
“Internships are tailored to a student’s interests or major and then they can participate in this internship and still get a global engagement component without having to leave, because in a lot of regards you can’t leave. There’s too many restrictions on leaving,” Hernandez said. “Virtual experiences were born out of necessity.”
Hernandez said that students who participated in a study abroad program or virtual program will stand out to employers.
“What we’re doing is trying to facilitate an option for students where they’re going to be safer, happier and healthier in a new environment,” Hernandez said. “You can sit down and look at your resume in five years and say, ‘There was a global pandemic, I still went overseas, here’s how I made it happen.’ Those students are going to be the movers and the shakers.”
Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
