Study abroad enrollment up

Students choose to travel despite terrorism conflict

While studying abroad offers a chance for JMU students to experience new cultures and environments, some students voice fears about living abroad in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Cheryl Tobler, assistant director of study abroad and exchange programs, said she originally thought that there would be a decline in applicants for the Study Abroad Program, but evidence has been to the contrary.

There were 712 students enrolled in the Study Abroad Program last year, according to Tobler. She said, "At least that many, if not more, are enrolled this year." She said, "There certainly has not been a decrease in student interest (in studying abroad)."

Tobler accounted for the increased interest in studying abroad. "People are more aware of the need for knowing about the world outside the United States," she said.

Bethany Oberst, executive director of the Office of International Programs, said, "The number of students wanting to study abroad is actually up. The turnout at the fall program fair Sept. 25 was one of the largest we've had."
Tobler said approximately 700 students attended this year's fair. She said that six years ago, approximately 300 students attended the fair and attendance has increased each year.

Last year, approximately 600 students attended, according to Tobler.

According to Gina Kudrav, executive secretary of the International Student/Faculty Program, the number of foreign students applying for student visas is perhaps a bit lower than last year, but she attributed it to harder economic times affecting the wallets of prospective exchange students.

Students who will study abroad attend orientations that teach them how to function in another country and blend in. This offers students a heightened sense of security, according to programs assistant Lorie Merrow.

"When students raise concerns about flying and being abroad, especially since Sept. 11, I usually tell them to evaluate it for themselves and sort out what they believe to be their risks and advantages," Merrow said.

Students who wish to travel abroad still are coming into the office located in the Hillcrest House at a steady rate, and the brochures are being picked up by students at the same rate as previous years, according to Tobler.

"It seems as if students are now more eager to study abroad because they have a more apparent want to know more about the world and what is going on in current affairs, and actually going to the countries that they are now hearing about allows them to have an up-close experience," Tobler said.

The State Department has information for students who are traveling abroad and have fears about either flying or countries' political situations.

Watching the news and reading newspapers is another way that students can ease their fears, according to Tobler.

Sophomore Alyssa Weltman, who said she plans to study abroad in Paris during spring 2003, said, "To be able to visit a different country and immerse myself in the new customs sounds appealing to me because of all the different things I could gain from it."

The Study Abroad Program offers semesters in London, Paris, Florence, Salamanca and Martinique.

Students also can choose to spend their entire summers in a foreign country, according to Oberst.

"It's a real advantage that we have such a program at JMU because we have all the people to talk to and all the information we need right here on campus," said junior Nicole Messenger, who plans to study abroad in Salamanca, Spain, in spring 2002.

Students also have the option to go through other programs that offer travel to different locations around the world, according to Oberst.

According to the International Programs Web site www.jmu.edu/international, students have three non-JMU study abroad options: go through another university's study abroad program, go through a national study abroad organization and direct enrollment with a foreign university.

Students have traveled to the United States from other countries through the Exchange Program, according to Tobler.

Junior Katya Shkilnikova said, "I have spent three years in the states during my study abroad program from Russia. It's a great thing to have because there are more opportunities here."

Tobler said these alternative programs are very popular because they allow students to study abroad almost anywhere in the world, from England to Indonesia. The places that students can choose to go to are not typical and they give a wider variety of locations to experience, she said.

Sophomore Rasika Welankiwar said, "Reading up and knowing what is going on in the world really subdues my fears about the current situation that we are in because I am not surprised by anything new that can scare me out of traveling." She said she plans to study abroad in Australia.

Senior Blake Yaralian, who plans to study abroad in London, said, "The closer you are to where all the latest news is occurring makes the situation more threatening for a student planning to study abroad. That shouldn't stop someone who is really interested because the experience should prove to be awesome."