Antonio Foncillas
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne offers its students a wide variety of study abroad programs, on six different continents and for periods from a few weeks to a full year. Some of the most popular options include programs in England, France and Japan, or more “exotic” program locations like Jordan, Ghana and India.

This semester there are ULV students studying in six different countries, in locations such as Aukland, New Zealand, Galway, Ireland, Barcelona and Alicante, Spain, Quito, Ecuador, and Cheltenham, England. Students will receive ULV credit for the courses they take abroad at the end of the semester.

The main goal of the program is to let ULV students find out how everything works in a place far away from home, said Jeffery Burkhart, professor of biology at ULV.

“They can learn a tremendous amount about both themselves and another culture,” Burkhart said. “My son spent a semester in Europe and it changed his entire way of looking at the world. I think international exposure should be seriously considered by all students, and we should explore ways to make it a component of each student’s college experience.”

Julius Walecki, associate professor of economics at ULV, said study abroad programs can be a “contribution to the goal of learning about others and becoming better informed and more productive citizens.” Therefore, Walecki said, the University should support such programs.

“I think the most important benefit is the exposure to a different culture and to a different way of doing things,” Walecki said. “We often assume that we’re the best in the world, yet we can learn so much from other nations and other cultures.”

In order to go abroad, ULV students must be prepared. It is mandatory for each student to have his or her own insurance coverage. Students also must be able to afford the costs of the trip, which varies from one country to another.

Depending on the countries visited and length of stay, costs can range anywhere from $4,500 to $5,000, according to Steve Kinzie, assistant director and writing specialist at ULV’s Learning Enhancement Center. The responsibilities of preparation should not discourage students from applying to the program.

“I think an international experience to be invaluable, and something all college students should do,” Burkhart said. “And, as a university, we should explore ways to make it more possible for a larger number of students.”

Prices for international programs vary, with the most expensive being the program at the British University of Oxford; the price of this program is higher in some part because of the exchange rate of the British pound. On the other hand, Belize and Guatemala have quite reasonable prices for any student.

There is a long process to find out places where ULV students can go to study.

“Faculty have to do a lot of advance planning to shape visits in new countries,” Kinzie said. “Fortunately, Phil Hofer at the International and Study Abroad Center and others at ULV have a lot of experience in helping faculty design and prepare for such programs.”

Antonio Foncilla can be reached at boueron_11@hotmail.com.