Students explore new learning spaces
BY: OLIVER PULCHER
Staff writer
For anyone who has ever wanted to experience a new culture, meet new people, try new foods or looking for a
resume filler or simply a new experience. Meramec has the options to do so, even beyond the classroom. Meramec’s Study Abroad program offers different trips for every student.
Meramec’s Study Abroad program offers nine different trips to nine different countries.
“[The various countries] benefit all students, and you get experience you will never get in the classroom, gain confidence, and communicate better,” said Chris Sulincevski, the Coordinator of International Programs for STLCC.
According to Sulincevski, the programs, which include England, Barbados and Scotland, are usually offered at a reasonable price and do not add administrative and “other” fees like most universities. The coordinator also said that STLCC’s programs are much less expensive than study-abroad companies. These programs offer a lot of time for exploring the countries themselves instead of being strictly classroom-based. The trips range from $2,500 to $4,500 for short term trips (1-2 weeks) and $6,000 to $10,000 for long term trips (1-3 months).
Students who have financial aid may be able to apply their financial aid, such as a Pell grant or A+, but that student should check with financial aid advisers concerning such options. If students aren’t able to apply financial aid, they can still apply for and use various scholarships specifically designed for study abroad, such as, Critical Language Scholarships (for students studying endangered or critical languages), The Gilman Scholarship (for low income students wishing to study abroad), The Boren Scholarship (for studying less common languages that are critical to U.S. interests), Fulbright Grants (for Independent Study), and the Fund for Education Abroad, among other methods.
“Program requirements for study abroad are that students must have a passport, be 18 years or older and enrolled in classes; though, there are some program-specific requirements,” said Sulincevski.
Each program has its own designated courses, which are either stated in the program itself, or available upon further inspection within the program’s manual, for long term programs.
The minimum number of students for the programs is 12 and the maximum can range from 20-30 students, depending on the program. Early deposits are required to solidify a student’s spot on the trip, according to Sulincevski. There are payment schedules, so students don’t have to pay everything up front. There is no limit to the amount of programs in which a student can participate.
However, time frames for the trips vary, and are available on the study abroad website. Sulincevski is looking for students to fill spots on certain programs, and any students interested should contact him at csulincevski@stlcc.edu, or find his contact information on the Study Abroad website.
