High price may not deter students: Office of Intl. Program
There has been a decline in participation in semester abroad programs since the University changed its tuition policy two years ago, according to the Office of International Programs.
The policy requires all students who study abroad to pay full Georgetown tuition regardless of the fees charged by the host university.
However, OIP Executive Director Kathy Bellows said that any direct link between the policy and student enrollment was still uncertain. Bellows did not offer specific numbers, but said that interest has declined slightly.
Georgetown implemented this change in order to alleviate part of its financial burden, University spokesperson Laura Cavendar told The Voice in Jan. 2005. In response, critics said that interest in study abroad would decline as students began to pay equal rates for what are often less than Georgetown-quality programs.
Bellows, however, said yesterday that while fewer students are going abroad, the current slight decrease in interest in semester-long study abroad is not necessarily due to the tuition changes. She believes that other factors, such as the increased choices for Georgetown’s international summer programs, have contributed to this trend.
“In the next three years, we may be able to see what effect this policy has had.” Bellows said. “But right now, its hard to pin [the decrease of students going abroad] down to one thing.”
Many students choose to earn credit and increase language skills through six-week programs during the summer. These programs, which are led by Georgetown faculty and are usually equivalent to two three-credit courses, cost about $6,000.
Andrew Rath (COL ’07), for example, chose to study at Georgetown’s Trier program in Germany. He found this a preferable way to tune up his language skills in order to complete his language requirement.
“Studying abroad during the summer was the only way it worked out that I could go overseas and still graduate on time.” Rath said.
Despite the option of a summer program, some students may wish to take a leave of absence and study, work or travel independently during their semester off.
While the OIP offers students resources on outside programs, the brochures are often outdated and the staff does not offer supporting information on these subjects. Bellows said that there are currently no plans to increase materials on non-Georgetown-approved programs.
Whittaker Leonhardt (COL ‘07) found a viable option outside of the University’s offering. Whittaker was able to study at London through a program from Florida State University.
Non-Georgetown-affiliated summer programs are not subject to the full tuition policy of the semester programs. He was pleased with both the cost and the quality of the outside program.
“I wish Georgetown could offer a program like this, that could place me in the center of London at an inexpensive price.” Whittaker said.
While Bellows affirmed that the OIP was monitoring student enrollment trends, she remained supportive of the University’s policy towards study abroad tuition.
“Everyone leaves Georgetown with the same diploma, so it makes sense that everyone pays the same price,” she said. “We’re trying to make it as fair as possible.”
