by: Erin Morrison
The Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP), the consortium Parkland College is a part of for study abroad programs, gives away a scholarship. The Founders’ Study Abroad Scholarship is award to two students for a semester abroad; each scholarship is $1,000 for spring and fall or $500 each for summer. The deadline to apply for the summer 2020 scholarship is Feb. 15. The deadline for fall 2020 is May 15.
To be considered for the scholarship you must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and write an essay of maximum 750 words as well as attend an ICISP institution.
One of the recipients of the scholarship for the spring 2020 scholarship was Parkland student, Daniel Hettinger. Hettinger is currently studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria. In email interview he told the Prospectus that, “Applying for the scholarship wasn’t too difficult. I only had to write a brief essay and fill out a couple of forms.”
Jody Littleton, Coordinator of Study Abroad at Parkland, says that financial aid could also be applied to semesters abroad. This means your Federal Pell Grant could be used towards study abroad with the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This grant is need-based.
If you complete an honors project through Parkland’s Honor’s Program, there is also a $500 provided through that program. There are various scholarships available online that could be country specific. Littleton suggested people can “get creative” to find the money to combat the high cost of studying abroad.
When you study abroad through Parkland, it is cheaper than it would be through a four-year university. Instead of paying Parkland’s tuition as well as the tuition of the university you are attending, there is just an administration fee of about $200. You also pay for airfare, living expenses—which would be either a homestay with a host family or a dormitory depending on the country— other general expenses, and the tuition of the university abroad. This means that not every program costs the same.
Littleton said that the four-week summer programs are cheaper than summer or fall, with Costa Rica being the cheapest program at about $3,000. Other summer programs include France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, and Austria which cost around $5,000.
“…it is a growing experience, as a student you can grow your self-confidence and independence”
Italy is a new program for Parkland. It is not through ICISP, but Parkland is working with Heartland Community College to organize the program. Japan is another program not offered by the ICISP and was offered by Parkland in the past and could be offered again in the future.
Littleton gave three reasons why everybody should study abroad. Number one, it is an “amazing, fun experience.” Number two, it is a growing experience, as a student you can grow your self-confidence and independence. Littleton said that number three is that employers will pay attention to applicants that have studied abroad because study abroad students are typically more culture aware.
Faculty can also go abroad for a semester. Through every ICISP program there is a professor from Illinois present. Currently, Professor Paul Sarantakos is abroad in Ireland. “As the faculty liaison, my primary role to this point has been assisting students with course schedules, transition into a different learning environment, adjusting to culture and cultural difference,” Sarantakos said in an email interview. He also said that he is serving some as a mentor and a leader on trips through the country.
Extra travel is expected when you are abroad, Littleton suggested traveling with someone else and letting faculty know. Hettinger is less than a month into the semester in Austria, but said he has visited nearby towns, gone hiking several times, and gone to Czech Republic with friends. “Overall, I’m really enjoying my time here, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking to experience something new,” Hettinger said.
There is a list of suggestions of ways to earn money for study abroad on Parkland’s website.
