What better way to spend your summer than by studying what you love while exploring the world? Ashland University’s study abroad program ensures that this opportunity of a lifetime is available and affordable for all eligible students.

To be eligible for the program, undergraduate students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, be 18 years or older at the time of the trip, and be free of any academic or judicial sanction within the past year.

Through this program, students gain an understanding of other regions, countries, languages and cultures through educational travel in the United States and abroad.

It also will help students stand out from their competition when searching for a job by developing a global resume to increase their marketability.

“[Students] can take classes that are not offered at AU,” director Rebecca Parillo said.  “Like Muggle Madness in London, Chinese language classes in Taiwan, or the Italian Mafia in Florence.”

The Study Abroad Office provides students with resources for scholarships, financial aid and other financing options such as grants.

If a student is still nervous about covering the cost of studying abroad, they are encouraged to meet with study abroad coordinators Rebecca Parillo or Jake Mossto look at the available programs that fit the student’s affordability and to make a study abroad budget.

“The university gives the Study Abroad Office $20,000 in grants every year,” Parillo said. “Deadlines are October 1 and March 1. We have exchange programs in South Korea, France, and Brazil.”

Senior Morgan Badenhop is a communication and public relations double major with a business administration minor who studied abroad in London, England. During her trip she was able to intern.

“My favorite part was the cultural experience. I got to be apart of a new culture and experience a new life,” Badenhop said. “I stayed in Camden Town, which is still apart of London. It’s where punk was born and where Amy Winehouse lived.”

Badenhop’s average day included working Monday through Thursday and started off with her taking the bus to get to work, then working until five or six. 

She was then able to spend the night out around London and used the extended weekends to travel elsewhere.

“I had a lot of free time. But I met a lot of people and made a lot of friends while I was there. So I spent my free time discovering new places in London and hanging out with my friends I made.”

Through this internship opportunity, Badenhop learned how to work within other cultures and with people from every part of life. She also learned how the communication and marketing world works outside of the United States.

“If you ever question if you should study abroad, intern abroad, or just go abroad, do it! It’s humbling and you see and learn things you never thought possible,” Badenhop said.

Elise Buzza, a junior childhood education major with dual licensures in intervention and pk-8 Spanish, is another study abroad student who recently went on a trip to Costa Rica.

“My favorite part of studying abroad was being able to study at the beautiful Spanish immersion school, Conversa, located in the mountains of Río Oro, in Costa Rica,” Buzza said. I definitely got to experience the culture in Costa Rica! My host mom gave really great insight into their culture. Through her, I got to see what food they eat and what their daily schedule and lifestyle is like.”

On the weekdays, Buzza would get together with the other AU students and would attend school at Conversa during the day.

After four weeks of attending the school there, Buzza had the opportunity to observe classes at Andrés Bello Lopez (the public school in Santa Ana) for two weeks to get her Spanish teaching license.

On the weekends, the students would then travel to different parts of Costa Rica and go on different excursions.

“The biggest thing I have gained from the opportunity I was given, was not only to have become a better and more confident Spanish speaker, but to get to learn about and experience another culture,” Buzza said. “What I have learned and seen with their culture, I have translated over into my daily life. Their values of compassion, kindness, and family, is something I respect and admire.”

The most recent study abroad trip was  the Honors Program trip to Ireland this summer.

Senior Bethany Meadows, majoring in integrated language arts education and english, was part of the trip. She wanted to study abroad for academic and personal reasons, such as completing part of her bucket list.

“It was a great place to study English in a different way, specifically in the literal sense,” Meadows said.

After eating breakfast together, Meadows and her group would embark on a trip that was set up through the program with free time at the end of the day to adventure however they pleased.

Meadow’s favorite part of the  trip was “the experience of being able to see how humans are so connected across the world and how humanity has so many similar qualities everywhere.”

The Study Abroad Office is located in Bixler 211.  Students can email [email protected] to make an appointment with Rebecca Parillo or Jake Moss. They post pre-approved programs on  http://ashland.abroadoffice.net.  

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 12:00-1:30, there will be a a Study Abroad Fair in lower convo’s entrance (Andrews Hall side).  All of the AU programs will have an information table.

Like the Ashland University Study Abroad Facebook page for updates about information, meetings, and events.