By Jordan Long
Kira Carruthers, a senior at the University of Georgia, was ecstatic when describing her study abroad in Cortona, Italy.
“Oh my God, the experience is like no other,” said the fashion merchandising major about her fall 2022 program.
Carruthers said the trip fostered her creativity as she gained access to experiences she would not have had otherwise. Carruthers said her art was displayed at the conclusion of the semester for the entire program to see.
“It was so unbelievably rewarding. I have never been so proud of my work,” said Carruthers. “I just felt so inspired while I was there.”
Carruthers was among the more than 2,000 students each year at UGA who study abroad, according to a published report in the campus newspaper, The Red & Black. Using data from the U.S. State Department, the article reported UGA ranked No. 6 overall in student study abroad participation.
According to the Office of Global Engagement website, UGA offers students study abroad opportunities in over 60 countries, as well as domestically. Costs vary on a program-to-program basis, with cost of attendance sheets available for each program on the UGA Study Away website.
Many students believe they cannot financially afford a study abroad trip, said Kristin Qualey, who works for the Office of Global Engagement as a junior adviser. But she encouraged students to reconsider.
“There are countless options for students when it comes to going abroad,” Qualey said, adding “we offer many scholarships and aid for financial assistance.”
Qualey also noted the university offers in-state tuition for all for-credit study abroad programs. “It is a great plus for out of state students because they are also eligible,” she said.
Carruthers said she received an honors international scholarship to help support her time in Cortona. “It helped me so much, I was so thankful,” she said.
Analise Herrin, a senior journalism student at UGA who studied abroad in Oxford, England, in Summer 2022, said her argument for studying abroad lies in the academic enrichment that comes from exposure to different cultures and educational systems.
“I learned so much in my Oxford tutorials. The first thing is, they’re unbelievably hard, but it made me feel so smart when I (succeeded). I also learned so much about the United Kingdom’s history,” said Herrin.
Herrin also traveled to London on excursions to visit companies including Netflix and the BBC, where she learned first-hand how the media industry works in another country.
Studying abroad also cultivates personal growth by pushing students beyond their comfort zones, said Carruthers.
“I had to navigate public transportation and a whole different country in a different language, and oh my god it was terrifying, but I did that. And I came back to the U.S. feeling extremely confident in myself,” she said.
Herrin described a similar experience during her Oxford trip. “Learning to travel on my own made me feel so independent. I loved it, not to mention I made lifelong friends that mean the world to me,” she said.
“I would move abroad if I could. I love London. I love traveling,” said Herrin, who will be embarking on a summer study program in the French Riviera. “I’m actually doing the Cannes Film (Festival) program this summer and I can’t wait,” she said.
Herrin recommended studying abroad to anyone who can do it. “It is worth every penny. I went broke during my time there, but I would do it again,” she said.
Carruthers said she spent months saving from her job to have spending money for her trip.
“I came back with almost nothing, but the experiences outweigh anything money could buy,” she said.
Jordan Long is a journalism student at the University of Georgia
