More students study abroad during summer semester
Of 572 Central Michigan University students who studied abroad last year, 61 percent traveled during the summer.
According to Assistant Director of Study Abroad Amber Schneider, many students study abroad during the summer to follow their academic plans and make sure they’re on track to graduate. Shorter programs are offered during the summer, lasting anywhere from two to 12 weeks, while semester programs last 10 to 18 weeks.
"I decided to study abroad in the summer so it doesn't conflict with the classes I need to take here at CMU," said Saline sophomore Katia Koerner.
Koerner will spend six weeks of her summer in Florence, Italy. She said studying abroad during the academic year can often be better for students financially.
“I know students tend to think, ‘I don’t have a lot of money, so I’m going to go for summer because it’s shorter (and) will be cheaper,’” Schneider said. “However, the financial aid you receive during the academic year applies to your semester abroad as well.”
Because of this, she said students who study abroad during the academic year receive their normal financial aid for the academic year, in addition to scholarships for study abroad.
Spring is a more popular time to study abroad than fall, because less students study abroad during the fall, the scholarships are less competitive.
Because of financial benefits, Schneider said some students might choose to study abroad during their sophomore year.
“If (students) receive a scholarship from CMU, they’re required to live in the residence halls for two years. A lot of students will study abroad the second semester of their sophomore year because then they don’t have to worry about breaking a lease or finding a sublease,” Schneider said.
She said historically, students went abroad during their junior year, but now, her office sees more students study abroad earlier, allowing them take multiple trips. Because students are eligible to go abroad the second semester of their sophomore year, Schneider said many students travel during the spring.
Last year, 39 percent of students who studied abroad were sophomores.
Schneider said it’s better for some students to go before they start taking higher level courses for their major, while other students might benefit from going abroad earlier because of internship plans or other factors.
“I want to do an internship next summer, so the best time for me to study abroad was this summer,” Koerner said.
Schneider said the best time to study abroad varies for each student. Study abroad advisers look at students’ criteria to help them determine what the best time for them to go abroad would be.
“Historically, study abroad was a junior year abroad, so students would go away for the entire academic year and it was for their junior year,” Schneider said. “We have nationally started trending toward shorter term programs, both semester and summer, and it’s really become more diverse at what level students are going abroad.”
