Exchange programs offer the experience of a lifetime
Photos Courtesy of Ashley Robinette
By Staff Writer CALLIE LEE - UMF offers both national and international exchange programs each semester to give students a chance to explore other campuses and other areas of the world as a part of their overall academic experience.
Nationally, UMF offers exchange programs with 48 states and several U.S. territories. Internationally, UMF offers four programs in the Middle East, five in North America, 85 in Africa, 104 in Central America, 124 in South America, 169 in Asia, 477 in Oceania and 1,034 in Europe.
UMF recommends that planning and extensive research for study abroad begin at least a year in advance. Senior Ashley Robinette studied in Italy last semester. “It was a really extensive application,” Robinette said, but not enough to frustrate her. “Overall, it wasn’t that bad. UMF made it really easy, very organized.”
UMF’s website for National and International Exchange Advising stresses this ease of process and says the major factors that prevent “otherwise eligible students from taking part” are “missed deadlines and lack of planning.”
Senior Mary Glover traveled to Alaska for two semesters. “The application was not hard,” Glover said. “I was on my way with the help from my advisor, recommendations from professors and making sure I met requirements.”
While National Student Exchange requires at least a 2.5 GPA, some International programs require a 3.0 GPA. Robinette, a Psychology major with an Art minor, discussed the academic aspects of the experience. “I loved my school… I took an oil painting class, a ceramics course, psychology/philosophy course and an intensive Italian course which met everyday. I feel like my psych class was easier but my art classes and Italian class were very demanding.”
Glover, an Elementary Education major, said, “I took several random classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Sign Language, Personality, Native Cultures of Alaska, to mention a few. I used them as electives, because many of the classes are not offered here at UMF. These classes will help me as I continue on my way to becoming a teacher.”
Although study abroad is often more expensive than not, students can use most forms of financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study awards.
According to Robinette, “It was a lot more expensive than my UMF tuition for an out-of-state student but it was worth it because API includes trips and all these different excursions that other programs don’t include. It’s good if you’ve never traveled overseas.”
On the national level, Glover reported, “I paid tuition here at UMF, however I had to pay room and board there. In all it was more expensive than a year here, but totally worth every penny!”
API is Academic Programs International, an independent study abroad association that offers programs for quarter, semester, summer, and academic year terms, as well as two-week and month-long terms. According to API’s website, it “provides beginning to high-level coursework,” and includes tuition, housing, medical and life insurance, social activities, multiple cultural excursions and events, pre-departure and on-site orientations and support services, on-site staff, mobile phones (in most locations), tutoring, and much more.
“We went all over Italy,” said Robinette. “They provided us with wine tastings, tours…I saw the Pope!” Of the vineyard she visited, she said “It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.” She also visited England, the Canary Islands and Germany, which was, she said, her favorite place. She described Italy as “beautiful” and said of Chianti, her favorite hot spot in the country, “it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The sunset was purple and pink and it was just so beautiful”.
While Robinette expressed a high level of homesickness, Glover reported none. “I made tons of friends fast and all of these friends became my family!”
Robinette expressed that while she was very homesick at times, she “ended up meeting some amazing people from all over the world.” She lived with nine girls in a “really nice, huge” house with four bathrooms and six bedrooms and said that “sometimes it forced me to become more mature and independent and appreciate my family much more.”
Despite the expense and the distance from friends and family, both national and international study abroad programs have a lot to offer academically and socially. Both Robinette and Glover said they would go back “in a heartbeat.”
Photos Courtesy of Mary Glover
 
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