Cole Longcor
cwl002@marietta.edu
Ever daydream in class of traveling? Why not plan to study abroad. Students are told often that these are the best years of their lives, that we should do and enjoy as much as we can before getting caught up with jobs, families, and bills. But how can students juggle travel with academics, have support systems to help them navigate traveling, and have opportunities to help finance such an endeavor? The simple answer is to start a conversation with Christy Burke, Director of Education Abroad.
“The new scholarship money will hopefully help encourage students to entertain the idea of going.”- Christy Burke
Recently 6 students were named summer recipients of the Ronald ’72 and Simin Shelton Rinard International Travel Grants.
“We are rebuilding the notion of study abroad. Many students who had trips canceled in high school didn’t want to have that disappointment in the future, and the variants for COVID deterred students last year. I hope this will shift in the coming terms.”
Alec Bollinger, a junior petroleum & environmental engineering double major spent the fall of 2021 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Even as a double major who is involved in multiple organizations across campus, Alec found a program that fit his schedule and goals. The opportunity was life changing. Alec expressed that he saw his time abroad as a chance to reflect and as a clean slate, he could be who he wanted to be and grow as a person. His biggest tip to those looking to study abroad is to get involved and be engaged. To make the most of the opportunity and not just feel isolated. Alec’s major area of concern was the process of getting credits to transfer but was able to work it all out by staying on top of it and reaching out to staff.
