Fort Steilacoom’s Study Abroad program offers students a chance to take their college experience international

Cameron Cyprain Contributing Writer

Through the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA), many post-secondary institutions, including Pierce College which has done so for more than 20 years, host programs in which students may apply to attend classes overseas.

These classes take place in locations such as London, England, Australia, Florence, Italy, Prague, Czech Republic, Japan, Peru, Barcelona, China, and South Africa.

Most courses are specific to the location of choice. For example, a trip to Costa Rica for one quarter entails 5 credits of Spanish Immersion, which take place at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense (ICLC), a Spanish Language Institute that specializes in teaching Spanish to foreigners. Additional mini-courses include Costa Rican Art, Topics in Spanish Grammar, Central American Issues, and the Diversity of Costa Rica’s Forests and Costa Rican Folk Music, all of which are included in the program fee.

The average cost to participate in Study Abroad for a quarter can run from $5,500 to $6,500, not including roundtrip airfare, college tuition and fees (paid to student’s home campus), passport fees (and visa fees, if applicable), Costa Rican departure tax of approximately $28, taxi to airport after program ($30), lunches, or spending money.

The bill can be quite steep. However, multiple scholarships are available, such as $1,000 offered by Pierce College to eligible students, and a $3,000 scholarship, which is awarded to students who qualify for a Pell grant through their financial aid package.

Jennifer Gruver, who has been the Campus Coordinator for Study Abroad for nearly six years, said “We feel that community college students need it [scholarship money] more”, noting how a disproportionate amount of scholarships have gone to university students in the past despite the fact that many students who attend two-year colleges often do so to save money.

A 2-step preliminary exam is required in order to help determine which students would benefit most from the program and whether or not they are emotionally and academically prepared to take on such a rigorous challenge.

Though the competition for Study Abroad can be intimidating and the price tag may appear high, the rewards could outweigh the initial expense, and repeat trips are common.

Frequently, students will return only to express just how eye opening their experience was, and to tell that they had gained a more broad perspective of the world as well as a heightened sense of appreciation of their homeland, “We’ve yet to hear of a negative experience,” Said Gruver, “Even if its just for one quarter, I’d recommend that every student participate in [Study Abroad].”