Table after table of brochures, photos, registration forms and enthusiastic representatives of study abroad programs filled the concourse of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday.
The Study Abroad Fair showcases semester, year and summer study abroad programs. Directors of the programs and students who have participated give detailed information about the programs, countries, classes and requirements. But the costs of the programs are not advertised as much as the cultural and academic benefits.
Human ecology professor Chuanlan Liu works with business professor Ye-Sho Chen on the intersession and summer programs in China for students studying business and textiles, apparel and merchandising. Liu said the fee for the intersession program is $2,500, and the summer program is $2,800. Three credit hours are earned for participating in the intersession program and six for the summer program.
“Students need a 3.0 GPA to qualify to apply for a $1,000 scholarship for summer only,” Liu said.
The first thing Bernard Dubernet, program director of the Department of French Studies, mentioned about LSU in the French Alps was the low cost for students. The summer program requires completion of five semesters of French, and the program costs $3,250, including lodging, meals and program activities.
French and philosophy senior Steven Primeaux attended LSU in the French Alps this past summer and said the cost for the program was low because of scholarships.
“The opportunities for scholarships are really good for this program because of a private group of donors,” Primeaux said. “We’re almost all paid-for after submitting essays and transcripts.”
Jimmy Williamson, history junior, scoped out the fair to find information regarding the upcoming summer programs.
“I haven’t decided if I’m going to go anywhere,” Williamson said. “It depends on if I have the money.”
LSU in Spain features an “all-inclusive” cost for tuition and the program, according to language coordinator Sheldon Lotton. Program director Elena Castro said the students attend the University of Granada and live with host families. The cost of placement with the families is included in the program fee of $3,200.
“In Madrid, the last week after classes are done we go to museums, to the Palacio Royal and on the Fourth of July we have dinner and watch a flamenco spectacle, which is all included in the price,” Castro said. “It’s a very good offer with the price and a great opportunity to be in Europe.”
According to Academic Programs Abroad, most summer study abroad programs cost about $3,500. Suggested spending money is about $1,000 and airfare varies depending on destination.
The University offers a Summer Study Abroad Scholarship of $1,000 that requires an essay and a recommendation.
—-Contact Olivia Hernandez at [email protected]