The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, August 26, 1996, Page 6, Image 6
6 ^
For
JESSICA NASH Asst. Features Editor
If the travel bup is bitinc von after
so many monotonous semesters in
Columbia, or if a "normal" college career
just isn't your cup of tea, International
Programs for Students might have just
the antidote for even the most serious
wanderlust.
David Ross and his staff in the Byrnes
Building have, the whole scoop on USCs
departmental exchanges. If those don't
meet your expectations for adventure,
the office keeps plenty of information on
file about programs through other
universities.
According to David Ross, the junior
year is the ideal time to go abroad.
"Freshmen usually aren't ready to
decide to pick up and go for a whole year,
so most students apply during their
sophomore year," says Ross. "The senior
year 30-hour rule can be waived, but it
might be more difficult to graduate on
time if a student is abroad during that
last year."
The application process depends on
the program. Applications for the German
department's exchange to Bamberg are
due during the fall semester, but deadlines
for English exchanges don't come up
until February.
Most language departments at USC
offer exchange programs. The department
of history also offers an exchange to
Warwick University in England.
International Programs will work with
students interested in programs not
offered at USC, as well.
"If we don't offer the program, well
help students track down the information,"
says Ross.
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intimidating, Ross's office can provide
information on summer programs or
semester exchanges. ISEP exchanges to
Trier, Germany and Teeside, England
are recent additions to the semester
offerings.
Ro3s recommends studying abroad
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get the hum-drum
for several reasons.
"First of all, it looks great on a
resume," he says. "International
experience makes you stand out.
Businesses will know that you are used
to handling new situations, that you are
open to new ideas."
Ross adds educational benefits to his
list of pro's.
"If you're trying to learn a foreign
language, nothing is better than being
in the country," he says.
International exchanges also mean
learning in a different setting, from a
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the original perspective. Studying German
history in Germany or Renaissance art
in Italy adds a new dimension to an
academic career.
Several USC students have worked
through International Programs to
arrange their year-long exchanges to
universities in Europe.
Sophomore theatre major Ali Freeman
will be studying at the University of
Leeds in England this year.
"The USC International Programs
for students is really awesome," says
Freeman. Through this office, USC has
made financial arrangements with a lot
of different schools, so you basically pay
USC tuition and your plane ticket. Also,
scholarships and financial aid that you
have here still apply."
Freeman's application process was
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"The application was due at the
beginning of February, and I knew it
was something I wanted to do, so I looked
into it in the fall," says Freeman. "I looked
up different schools in the library at the
International Programs office to see
where I might want to go. The application
involved an essay and three
recommendations."
Like any student preparing for a
year-long adventure, Freeman is excited.
"I've never been out of the country
before, and this is a great opportunity
to immerse myself in a different culture
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and life for a year. And hopefully HI get
to see lots of Europe," she says.
"I'm just a little concerned because
I've heard it's expensive in England,"
Freeman adds. "But I've worked all
summer and done nothing else. All I
have is my coat and a passport!"
Jillian Simon and Eileen Andrews
are veterans of international exchange
programs. They both emphasize that
the international year has broadened
their awareness of other cultures and
people.
Simon, a senior English major,
travelled to Teeside, England last spring
through the ISEP semester program.
"I wanted to experience things on my
own, throw myself into a new situation
and see what happened," says Simon.
Her decision to study in England was
a spontaneous one. I
"I basically just walked into David
Ross's office one day last fall and asked 1
for some information on semester '
programs," says Simon. "He led me in [
the right direction and helped me pick 1
a school that was right for my major." (
Simon's expectations for the year
were definitely met. '
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traditionally English as I had expected, 1
the experience was way beyond what I 1
anticipated. The England I had always (
read about was only a train ride away (
from Teeside. And I've met so many *
incredible people," says Simon.
She adds that exchange students *
often have to make a tremendous effort 1
to reap the benefits of studying abroad. 1
It is important that they immerse ^
themselves in the local culture and not 1
be too timid to meet people who might J
live differently. In the end, though, the
experience produces a well-rounded 1
individual.
"I had to get out of my own comfort s
zone," said Simon. "I actually found it '
best not to associate with other Americans 1
if I really wanted to leam about England.
"It was also good for me to meet people ^
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Eileen Andrews, a senior German a
from other countries in Europe," Simon
continues. "You tend to become friends
quickly when you're all thrown together
in this situation. I have connections all
over the map now."
Simon views her semester abroad as
Deneficial to her academic career, as well.
"I had always wanted to walk the
grounds my poets and writers walked,
to study English literature where it
originated," says Simon. "So this has
jnhanced my career immensely. I've
oought literature that I might not have
leard about over here. Also, being in
:hat landscape gave me a different
aerspective. Now I've seen what
Wordsworth described in his poetry, and
[ have a new appreciation and
inderstanding for British literature,"
she adds.
Eileen Andrews, a senior German
md music major, found that her year m
Bamberg, Germany enhanced both
spheres of her education. While it was
jnriching academically, Andrews also
/iews the year as socially beneficial.
"I didn't expect to see as much of
Europe and Europeans as I did," says
\ndrews. "This was definitely an
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international experience, and not just a
German one. It was an eye-opener as
far as understanding different cultures
goes, because there are so many exchange
students studying in Bamberg. I
understand people so much better after
this past year."
Andrews also agrees that what she
gained from her experience depended
entirely on what she put into it.
"It was up to me to meet Germans,
to jump on the train and travel, to accept
that baby-sitting job even if I was unsure
about the language. I tried to immerse
myself in the culture of any country I
visited, even with the language barriers.
It improves your independence and
confidence. I definitely feel like I'm up
for any challenge now because of that,"
says Andrews.
Andrews'junior year in Germany
has also supplemented her undergraduate
education at USC. Jumping right into
German cultural and academic life
basically forced Andrews to speak the
language. Studying music in the land of
Brahms and Beethoven added a more
concrete dimension to her musical
education.
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it Bamberg, Germany.
"After this year, I think I'm fluent in
the language," says Andrews. "Ifs one
thing just to be able to order a beer in
another country, but ifs something else
to carry on an intellectual conversation
with a classmate at the university."
"Also, seeing where Mozart was born
has brought me closer to his music,"
Andrews continues. "And it was so nice
to play Beethoven or Bach and hear a
German piano teacher's opinion of the
music, or to sing songs from Schumann
in the original language, with a German
choir. There are so many symphonies
and choruses performing in Europe, too.
I could pick from a plethora of musical
activities."
Andrews recommends studying
abroad to anyone with a heart for
adventure.
"You have to be able to get over the
bad days, to overcome another mindset
and any setbacks. This is not for the
weak-hearted," says Andrews. "Ifs also
important to put those prejudices aside
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up. If I've gained anything from this
year, it is a new level of tolerance. You I
iust have to be adaptable."
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