For many students, studying abroad can be the opportunity of a lifetime. Traveling to other countries gives students the chance to learn about another culture.
It is this reason that prompted officials at the University of Denver to create the Cherrington Global Scholars Program. This program will be introduced in the fall of 2004 to juniors and seniors attending DU.
With the Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS) Program, students will be able to study for one quarter at a country of their choice at the expense equal to studying here at DU. Plus the university will cover the costs of airfare. In the past, students handled expenses themselves and applied for a PASS scholarship to help pay for airfare. Approximately 30 international sites will be available in addition to exchange programs in 37 countries.
Although the Study Abroad program has been with DU for quite some time, only recently has the administration put forth a formalized effort to promote it, according to Carol Fairweather, director of the Study-Abroad Office. Fairweather said the current program has already sent about 215 students this fall to foreign countries, an increase from 200 last fall.
“September 11 had a big impact on us last year,” said Fairweather. “But I think because of that students want to become more aware of other countries.”
Experiencing a different lifestyle is only half of the component in study abroad. As far as the curriculum is concerned, students are required to confer with their advisers on credits and transferability.
Professor Eric Gould of the English Department and chair of the Faculty Oversight Board for the CGS program said credits are usually approved and accepted, so “most students should be able to fit study abroad in their normal four years of study.”
The question remains, will students be tempted as well as be able to do study-abroad in place of regular study here at DU? Gould says not very likely.
“The program is designed to augment and not replace regular study,” he said. “Core and foundational requirements only allow four replacement hours, so that still leaves a lot of hours to be earned. And of course, there are limitations to the amount of time you can be away.”
Karen Becker, a study-abroad advisor, had done a study-abroad program herself three times. She said, “This is the best thing an undergraduate can do in their career because they open their minds to the world.”
“And I truly believe,” Becker continued, “it does more for an individual than any one class could ever do.”
The reaction from the students has been positive, even though there is still a small percentage of students who come home unhappy.
Becker said, “On a yearly average, 95 percent of the students said it was the best experience they ever had. In the years I’ve been here, I’ve had two students come home early.”
