Kim Wright

Staff Writer

krwright@valdosta.edu

Study Abroad programs provide students with opportunities and experiences they might otherwise never have. Valdosta State University is rich with opportunity, offering students with around 44 programs all over the world, according to the VSU official website. This is including two new programs added just last year. Students were able to go to Italy and Japan for the first time.
According to Irina McClellan of the Center for International Programs, there are currently at VSU there are 274 foreign exchange students from over 50 different countries all over the world studying subjects like English as well as many other courses VSU has to offer. There is a coffee social every other Friday at the Center for International Programs. If you are interested in meeting someone from a different country or culture, the next one will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19th. Everyone is welcome.
Theresa Tucker, a sophomore Art Major, is one of the students of that first group to go to Osaka, Japan for four weeks of intensive language immersion.  When asked to share her experiences, she had this to say to her fellow students:
“In a word it was amazing, phenomenal! Study abroad really gives you the best of both worlds. It is like a vacation, but you are learning. It really shows you the best part of the culture, and is a great way to bond with another culture. Study Abroad teaches you how to generally relate to people on a whole different level. It was only four weeks, but I feel like I have lived a whole other life.”
Study abroad programs have courses available for all majors, from Business to Women’s Studies. There is something for everyone. Students can even declare an International Studies minor. To help with financing, keep in mind that students with Hope and other financial aid have the ability to apply for it to study abroad as well, according to the University System of Georgia website. Scholarships are also available. For more details, visit the VSU web page on International Programs or inquire with an advisor.