By Shauna Snover

The International Education Office at Buffalo State College is telling students to go away.

“Our basic mission is to get students out of town,” said Lee Ann Grace, the assistant dean of International and Exchange Programs.

Staff members from the office recently held a fair for those who may be interested in studying abroad. Students who have participated in studying abroad and exchange programs were also present to answer questions.

BSC has the oldest study abroad program in the SUNY system, Grace said. The program started in 1961 with Siena, Italy.

There are now six countries and one U.S. territory that are administered and sponsored through BSC. The links below offer specific details about each location.

• Italy

• England

• Australia

• the Netherlands

• Spain

• Canada

• Puerto Rico

In addition to these countries, BSC is a co-sponsor with the University at Buffalo for a summer program in China.

Students can also go through any SUNY program, which includes over 400 locations in 70 countries. The office also has programs to send students to over 180 colleges or universities within the United States and Canada with the National Student Exchange.

Short-term study sessions are also offered. These trips are less than one semester in duration and are faculty run. Based on curriculum, faculty can choose where to travel.

In May, 10 freshmen in a learning community will be traveling to Ireland for one week, where they will be studying James Joyce.

The projected number of students from BSC who studied abroad during the summer and fall of 2006 and the spring of 2007 are 148, Grace said. This number is a significant increase over the previous year’s total of 84 students, which is attributed largely to the increase of short-term programs. 

Cost of studying abroad

The biggest misconception about studying abroad is the cost, Grace said. Over one-third of BSC students surveyed last spring said cost was the No. 1 obstacle.

The office holds frequent financial aid workshops and advises students about applying for scholarships and other fundraising techniques.

The planning process

There are three things to consider when applying to study abroad, Grace says:

• The first step is finances. Start planning about one year before.

• Go over academic requirements, which should also be done one year prior.

• The final step is the application process, which should be completed one to two months before the deadline. There is an essay portion and each student needs at least one academic reference, depending on the program.

Student testimony

Andrea Galdieri, a junior majoring in fashion and textile technology, studied in Siena during the fall 2006 semester. While she admits to getting homesick in Italy, she says the best thing about studying abroad was developing foreign language skills and making new friends.

“It was challenging,” Galdieri said. “But it was good for bolstering self-confidence.”

Conrad Bush, a communications design senior, also studied in Siena last semester. He recommends to anyone studying abroad. Learning new material, traveling and experiencing the Italian culture was very worthwhile, he said.

For anyone considering studying abroad, Grace says to just do it.

“All returnees say it is the best thing they ever did and worth every single penny,” Grace said.

Contact Shauna Snover at snovst13@mail.buffalostate.edu

Students stop by to check out the Mini Study Away Fair in the Student Union. Photographed by Shauna Snover