Students can easily sign up for study abroad programs

Study abroad is a chance to experience another culture, language and traditions other than those of your homeland. The idea of study abroad may seem intimidating or even out of reach for some students, but it is as easy as filling out a passport application.Imagine waking up to lush tropical palm trees outside the cabana window with the mountains as the backdrop. The sultry breeze drifts the sweet smell of pineapples, papayas and bananas to welcome the new morning. The thrill of learning the local language and using that knowledge to buy local fruits, snacks and souvenirs is quite motivating.According to Inside Higher Ed,the numbers of black students that take advantage of study abroad programs during their college years are only 3.4 percent compared to their white counterparts. The gap between black college students and white college students taking advantage of the opportunity of study abroad is the difference between landing the dream job and working at an entry level job for 15 years.

How can a student experience study abroad?

The first thing a student has to do is locate the office of International Education Center at Savannah State University. The center is located in the King-Frazier building down the hall from the Department of Student Life. SSU has seven different study abroad programs that are open to the student body which include Caribbean, Brazil and Trinidad &' Tobago.The study abroad programs offered at SSU last four weeks and offer history classes and language classes of the host country.For example, in Brazil students will learn about the Afro-Brazilian history and culture while learning Portuguese. However, study abroad programs can measure from four weeks to a year. After finding an interesting program and completing the application, the first important thing is to find ways to accommodate the cost of your studies.Students may find this part of the trip hard and overwhelming, but there are ways to help fund your program.

Ask your financial aid counselor about financial aid options. For example, if your study abroad program is a semester long, you can apply money from your tuition to your study abroad program.You can also appeal to your local congregation. A church family is always happy to help their younger members to broaden their education. Students should also try to save a small portion of your check every pay period; a little bit goes a long way.Students planning to study abroad should know research is key. Researching grants and scholarships pertaining to your major or trip destination can help fund the full cost of your trip and leave you with little to none out-of-pocket expenses. Grants and Scholarships are available to students in every major and trip destination. For example, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers up to $5,000 for a study abroad trip.The second important part of making your trip a reality is getting a passport and immunization. The price of a passport is a $135, but it is valid for 10 years. A passport application can be obtained at the United States Postal Service website.

Immunization is a very important aspect of your study abroad experience and health. The amount of shots received depends on the country the student has chosen as their course of study. If a student is traveling to Costa Rica, they may need to receive a tetanus shot. The cost varies per shot.The preparation for the study abroad program after the important documents and health concerns may be scary, but remember that this only happens to only 3.4 percent of black students.