Studying abroad is a transformative experience that broadens horizons and supports personal growth. The exploration of new cultures fosters global friendships and deep self-discovery, which are invaluable. However, many students are unable to partake in this experience because of its extravagant cost.  

My semester spent abroad in London was the best experience of my life. It allowed me to see incredible things, make new friends with different worldviews, and explore a new culture. Through my experience, I was able to grow into my independence and develop a better understanding of who I am and where I belong in the world.

However, it was an experience I could barely afford. I completed my study abroad semester through Academic Programs International, or API, a global organization that helps students in their pursuit of international education. Through this program, the price tag for my semester in London stood at around a staggering $30,000, excluding additional expenses like meals, public transport, and flights. 

Fortunately for me, Augustana allows all scholarships a student receives during a normal semester to be used toward their travel abroad semester. This brought my bill down to $15,000, an amount that still made me shake with the fear of student loan debt but seemed much more manageable. Most public universities don’t allow their school’s scholarships to be applied to the study abroad semester, and only a handful of private universities are able to do so.

While it is possible to receive specific scholarships toward studying abroad, they are fiercely competitive and often only a drop in the bucket of the substantial costs involved. The sheer volume of applicants for a limited pool of funding leaves many students like me without financial assistance. The result is a disheartening reality where studying abroad remains an unattainable dream for most.

More cost-effective alternatives, like short-term faculty-led programs or sister school exchanges, come with their own drawbacks. Faculty-led courses are only offered for short duration like J-term or spring break. They lack the freedom and immersion that make studying abroad a worthwhile experience. Even though the student is in another country, they are still with students and professors that they see every day at home. 

Similarly, sister school programs, like Augustana’s affiliation with the University of Exeter in England, demand a level of independence that may overwhelm many students even if they are more cost effective. These programs lack the resources, support, and built-in friends that a global organization like API provides.

Students at sister school programs are expected to find their own housing and friends. They are also not given assimilation courses so they are expected to learn to navigate the town, figure out public transportation, and work through cultural differences all on their own. Additionally, these programs are only offered in a few specific cities, offering many fewer options than a student may want.

This problem can only be solved by a collaborative effort. Universities and global programs must work together to make study abroad programs more financially accessible. Expanding scholarship opportunities specifically for international education is a crucial step. Additionally, institutions should reevaluate their policies to allow greater flexibility in applying existing scholarships toward study abroad semesters.

The opportunity to study abroad should not be confined to a select few. It’s necessary that universities start to bridge the gap between the privileged and the many deserving individuals hoping for a chance to explore the world beyond their borders.