The
chance of a lifetime
Lindsey Benne, posted Oct. 30, 2006
Whether its paddle boating on the Vltave River in Czech or
viewing zebras, waterbuck, elephants and black rhinos at the
Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa, many study abroad
students agree that studying abroad is a once in a lifetime
experience. “I knew traveling abroad would be an opportunity
I may not get again,” said Erin Moore, MU Junior. “The
experiences and friends I gained while studying abroad will
last forever.”
In 2005, the U.S. Senate declared 2006 as the “Year
of Study Abroad,” with the resolution to recognize the
important role that study abroad plays in shaping American
education and global leadership. The Year of Study Abroad
website also said the U.S. Senate declared to encourage all
U.S. citizens, higher education institutions, secondary schools,
businesses and government programs to promote and expand study
aboard opportunities. The Web site says many reasons that
undergraduate students should study abroad include the importance
of being prepared to live and work in a global society, improving
foreign language skills and understanding cultures of the
world.
“I think it’s important that students know that
study abroad is more than just a fun thing,” said Program
Director of International Studies for CAFNR, Roy Robinson.
“It will help students acquire a job when they graduate,
it will help students grow and become more self confident,
and it will help compliment the students’ academic programs.”
MU offers study abroad opportunities through both the International
Center and CAFNR Study Abroad. “I would say the biggest
difference between a CAFNR program and a program through the
International Center is that the CAFNR programs have been
created to meet the interests of CAFNR students,” said
Robinson. “Also, we create our programs simply to provide
CAFNR students with opportunities to study abroad and therefore
we keep the costs as low as possible.”
CAFNR offers a wide range of programs all over the world to
choose from. Whether students want to go for only a few weeks,
or for a semester, there are many opportunities to choose
from. CAFNR programs include South Africa, Canada, Costa Rica,
Czech Republic, France, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Thailand
and the United Kingdom. While studying abroad through CAFNR,
students can learn about agriculture while being immersed
into the country’s culture and history. Included in
the programs are planned excursions to rural areas and large
cities. Students also have free time to travel and explore
as they desire.
CAFNR’s study abroad website describes each program
offered to students and gives the approximate cost for the
program. Costs include all expenses necessary for the program
including tuition and fees, airfare, room and board, program
fees, program excursions and other expenses. While studying
abroad, students either live in a residence hall on campus,
a hostel or motel, depending on the program.
Students may apply for financial aid through CAFNR when submitting
their program application. “CAFNR has over $20,000 per
year in scholarships specifically for students studying abroad,”
said Robinson.
Students studying abroad for a semester enroll in a minimum
of 12 credit hours. Those students must speak with there academic
advisor previous to departing to determine MU course equivalencies.
Students studying abroad for a shorter program receive credit
hours determined by the chosen program.
Requirements for a student studying abroad include good academic
standing and a certain GPA. For programs such as Costa Rica,
a semester of Spanish or a three-hour Spanish conservation
course is required.
All CAFNR study abroad programs are open to all current MU
students. Visit the CAFNR
Study Abroad Web site for more information on the programs.
