Spring Break
Student needs met by new study abroad office
Issue date: 9/20/07
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Imagine walking by the Thames River on your way to class or passing the Eiffel Tower on your way back. For a rapidly increasing number of students, this dream becomes a reality when they go abroad. According to a Vistawide Poll in 2004 of American students, there has been a 250 percent increase in study abroad participation over the last decade. Hopkins' response to this ubiquitous trend has been the establishment of a new Center for Study Abroad in Levering Hall.
Lori A. Citti, who recently replaced Ruth Aranow as the new coordinator of study abroad, reports that due to the increasing popularity of study abroad programs, the new office will be better suited to help both students and faculty through the application process.
"Students and faculty can come to get information, consult with me, share their concerns, set up advising appointments and a host of other services that will make the international programs and study abroad options more accessible," Citti said.
Currently the Center for Study Abroad is located on the third floor of Garland Hall, next to the Career Center and Office of Academic Advising.
Junior Sarah Ratzenberger, who plans to study in France in the spring, remarked that despite the smaller space, the application process has been fairly smooth. "Unless you are extremely organized, it can become complicated and hectic," she said.
Ratzenberger explained her motivation to study abroad was to experience life in Europe and improve her language skills. "The most challenging part of the process is the actual finding of study abroad programs that fill your interests. Also coordinating Hopkins with the outside university, communicating with the Study Abroad Office, and getting a visa, are all difficult tasks."
Ratzenberger's concerns are echoed by other students who have studied abroad in the past. Multiple students have expressed discontent with the process in the past, citing that the University was uncooperative as they struggled to fill out the proper paperwork and obtain visas.
Lori A. Citti, who recently replaced Ruth Aranow as the new coordinator of study abroad, reports that due to the increasing popularity of study abroad programs, the new office will be better suited to help both students and faculty through the application process.
"Students and faculty can come to get information, consult with me, share their concerns, set up advising appointments and a host of other services that will make the international programs and study abroad options more accessible," Citti said.
Currently the Center for Study Abroad is located on the third floor of Garland Hall, next to the Career Center and Office of Academic Advising.
Junior Sarah Ratzenberger, who plans to study in France in the spring, remarked that despite the smaller space, the application process has been fairly smooth. "Unless you are extremely organized, it can become complicated and hectic," she said.
Ratzenberger explained her motivation to study abroad was to experience life in Europe and improve her language skills. "The most challenging part of the process is the actual finding of study abroad programs that fill your interests. Also coordinating Hopkins with the outside university, communicating with the Study Abroad Office, and getting a visa, are all difficult tasks."
Ratzenberger's concerns are echoed by other students who have studied abroad in the past. Multiple students have expressed discontent with the process in the past, citing that the University was uncooperative as they struggled to fill out the proper paperwork and obtain visas.
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