SMU held a study abroad fair on Wednesday. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

The Owen Fine Arts Center was buzzing with excitement Wednesday as students picked up many study abroad program fliers. With SMU Study Abroad, a student can opt to spend an entire academic year, semester or summer studying and living in another country.

SMU has approved 148 programs in 50 countries for course credit. Students must apply for the programs, have a certain GPA and meet other requirements, like specific majors or prerequisites, to be accepted into the programs.

Most year and semester programs are led by organizations outside of SMU Study Abroad, but some summer programs are led by SMU professors. Summer trips offer an opportunity to get close with professors outside a typical classroom setting.

“Summer isn’t as long of a time to absorb the experience, but it’s still great,” said SMU Engaged Learning Assistant to the Director Meleah Criss, who studied in Paris while an undergraduate student at SMU.

Longer programs allow for more immersion. Students often become locals after a semester or year abroad.

“Going abroad for a semester is not tourism- you become a local of the country you’re in,” Allison Berk, an SMU graduate who studied in Spain her junior year, said.

Some students may believe that study abroad programs are unaffordable, or that it is cheaper to stay on campus. But Michael Clarke, executive director of the International Center, assured students this is false.

“Financial and institutional aid will follow you. Studying abroad for a semester is often the same cost as staying at SMU,” Clarke said. “There are, however, incidental fees and travel fees, such as airfare.”

Marketing Financial Officer Deborah Tomlinson explained that the financial aid office works closely with study abroad programs to give students a clear picture of the expenses they will face as soon as possible.

Another worry students may have is that studying abroad will make them fall behind their classmates or graduate later. Students should rest assured that studying abroad will result in a large number of credits that will keep them up to date on graduation or major requirements. In fact, many study abroad programs focus on a specific major.

Associate professor of Spanish Olga Colbert took a group of students to Madrid last summer where they studied both the Spanish language and culture intensely and received credits for their major.

“[The Madrid trip] offers a rigorous academic program and an opportunity to experience authentic culture,” Colbert said.
In addition to regular classes, many students participate in internships abroad. Others use the Engaged Learning program to complete research and study a particular subject abroad. Chriss recalled one student conducted research on the Chinese school system while abroad.

The study abroad program gives students far more than just an academic opportunity. Day trips, cultural experiences like flamenco dancing and festivals, homestays and speaking in the native tongue leave a lifetime impact on the students. Students gain life experiences and knowledge that they couldn’t get in the classroom.

“Studying abroad is much different than going on vacation,” Berk said. “It’s the best thing you can do for your education.”

For more information, visit smu.edu/abroad.