Students should plan ahead for foreign opportunities

Students at the University of Colorado have their plates full with assignments, holiday plans and finals coming up next month.But starting this week, there is one more thing to add to their to do lists: study abroad planning.The Boulder campus' study abroad office is hosting several information sessions throughout the week in hopes of getting students to start thinking about their plans for next year.Jami Nunez, a CU graduate student who works on special projects for CU's Study Abroad Programs, said planning ahead is the key to overcoming common obstacles for students hoping to spend a semester in a foreign country.We try to work on getting everyone abroad no matter their major or financial capabilities,Nunez said.Early planning can help eliminate some of those obstacles.Students can also get a lot of exposure while studying in such universities and different course Economics and Management,Electrical Engineering and Economics and Management Science.Nunez said finances are often a concern for students wanting to enroll in one of the 200 programs offered by CU's study abroad office. But getting an early start can break up the costs of an expensive semester and opens up more opportunities for financial aid or scholarships. Getting financial assistance for these programs tacks on more paperwork and time to the process,Nunez said.So for those with cost concerns, it's really the earlier the better.CU senior Shane Grigsby is spending the spring semester in Argentina thanks to a study abroad grant and some strategic planning.

I wanted to study Spanish in Spain originally, but after talking to an adviser, I realized that Argentina was a better fit for me financially and academically,Grigsby said.Grigsby is completely self sufficient and said his semester abroad will cost him about $2,000 more then a semester on the Boulder campus.I started the planning process about three months ahead of time and I wish I would have started six months ago,Grigsby said.Paying his rent in Boulder during his trip will be Grigsby's largest expense, since he was unable to sublet his apartment in time for his departure in January.International Education Week, a study abroad open house, begins Monday for students looking to go abroad or international students hoping to come to CU.While study abroad trips can cost as much as $30,000, there are some less expensive and less time consuming options for students looking to branch out.Study abroad in Sweden.

CU's Volunteer Resource Center offers Alternative Breaks, which take place during spring break or in the summer, and focus on service. Alternative spring breaks are domestic and range in price from $300 to $600 per student. Summer trips can be more costly, but are international and for a longer time period.Senior Erika Larson has attended two alternative breaks, one domestic and one international, and two service trips through a two-year CU leadership program called INVST.Because she chose less expensive trips, Larson was able to experience more places during her travels through CU.I have a better understanding of how the world works,Larson said.After graduating, I'll have better real world experience to help find a job because of these trips.The INVST deadline to apply for trips next summer is March 7.
The deadline for Alternative Breaks in 2011 was Monday night, but Larson said the program may extend deadlines if it doesn't receive enough applications.