Now is the time to start enrolling in the 2017 Study Abroad Program with Northwestern Oklahoma State University to go to Australia and New Zealand.
Dr. Kathryn Lane, department chair of English, Foreign Language and Humanities and assistant professor of English as well as a member of the Study Abroad Committee, invites students and members of the community to be a part of the summer 2017 Study Abroad Program that will take them “down under.”
There is a limited number of individuals who can study abroad, so Lane encourages those who are sure they want to go to enroll sooner rather than later in order to help with costs.
“The official enrollment deadline is February 2017, but it’s going to be a lot cheaper if people sign up early and start paying little by little now,” Lane said.
A deposit of $200 is required to enroll for the trip. The current discounted cost of the round trip that includes travel, hotel and most meals is $4,755 for anyone under the age of 30 and $5,020 for anyone over the age of 30. Waiting to enroll leaves room for the price to go up. Lane said individuals who are able to enroll in March can create a payment plan for $10 a day or $300 a month until the trip in May 2017. Through the EducationFirst (EF) college studies tours website, there is now an option to start a “Go Fund Me” page that helps with expenses of studying abroad.
“Study abroad is a learning experience unlike any other,” Lane said. “The memories that you carry away you keep for a lifetime.”
Individuals who enroll early can help decide the specific aspects of the trip, like if the group wants to go snorkeling, explore a rainforest or hold koalas at a zoo as well as other options. The group will also decide on a fundraiser option to help with the daily travel expenses.
The study abroad committee asks those interested to take part in one meeting in order to answer questions and clarify travel times and dates. The next meetings will take place: Wednesday, March 9,from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Alva campus in Carter Hall room 107, and shared on ITV to the Enid campus conference room, Woodward campus room 141, and Ponca City campus room 116.
Another meeting option to learn more about the Australia and New Zealand trip will take place Tuesday, March 29,from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Alva campus in Industrial Education room 128, and shared on ITV to other campuses: Enid room 221, Woodward room 114, and Ponca City room 118.
The Study Abroad Committee is cautious when planning the dates of the trips to not interfere with Alva High School graduation and other summer classes at Northwestern.
Students interested in using the study abroad program for a three-credit course of Humanities (HUM 4480) will need to get approval from Lane to enroll.
“Three-quarters of students who study abroad have a better GPA,” Lane said. “Corporations across the world are looking for students who have studied abroad. It shows more experience and is an influential piece on your resume.”
To view a full itinerary for the Australian and New Zealand trip visit www.efcst.com/1763021zs.
To learn more about the study abroad program visit www.nwosu.edu/study-abroad-program or contact Lane at (580) 327-8470 or kelane@nwosu.edu.