While most students dealt with mid-semester exams and often monotonous school work, some found adventure and new experiences overseas.
The Office of Academic Programs Abroad held a reception Monday at the Faculty Club to honor students who studied in other countries during the past year.
“I have never talked to a student who regretted their study abroad experience,” said Margaret Parker, director of Academic Programs Abroad and Summer Programs.
University students traveled to study in many places over the last year, including Portugal, Asia, Japan, Germany, Scotland, England, France, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK, she said.
The students received certificates from the Office of Academic Programs Abroad to commend them for their studies in foreign countries. Students were also presented with Honorary-Mayor-President certificates signed by Bobby Simpson from the Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs.
Parker said about 80 students returned from studying abroad, but not all of them could attend the reception.
Several students shared their living and learning experiences abroad.
Alan Comer, an international trade and finance senior, said he decided to study in the United Kingdom because he wanted to go somewhere new and get to travel.
Comer said the accommodations in the United Kingdom differ from those at LSU because “every dorm has a pub and sells beer at a discount.”
Laura Davis, a public relations senior, said she initially studied in the Ubaye Valley in France in June 2002 with the University’s program. She decided to return to the country to study in Paris because she said “French culture fascinates [her].”
Davis recommends that all students study abroad because it is a great chance to be in a different university environment.
“The key is meeting the people who live in the country, because now I have friends to visit and stay with when I go back there,” she said.
Davis said in France, more emphasis is placed on personal achievement instead of issuing letter grades. “The grading system is a lot harder because ‘A’s’ are not really given, a ‘B’ is considered really good and a ‘C’ is pretty good,” Davis said.
Matthew Brown, an English literature and German studies senior, chose to study in Bonn, Germany because “there are a lot more opportunities for selection of classes than LSU.”
Brown recommends that any student who is majoring or minoring in a foreign language take part in a study abroad program.
He said his most interesting experience was in the classroom, because he liked having to adapt to German culture.
Brown said TOPS covered his tuition for both semesters while he studied in Germany. He also entered a competition through the German Academic Exchange Service to receive additional financial aid.
Because he received financial aid, he was able to “enjoy the intellectual challenges in the classroom and build abilities to speak with more confidence.”
Parker said there are many scholarships available to students who are interested in studying abroad. Students can apply for scholarships by submitting an application and essay to the Department of Academic Programs Abroad and the University.
She said students are eligible to receive scholarships if they have at least a 3.0 GPA.