EduVenture International
The idea of traveling to other countries as part of one's higher education is nothing new and is becoming increasingly more popular. Scholars have been enriching their education through travel for centuries and it is now available for students through many colleges. It is no longer a luxury only for the rich, but is also becoming a reality for students who want to be prepared to meet the inter-cultural challenges of the twenty-first century. Many students take advantage of several programs during the course of their college experience.
As a parent of a college student you may find yourself in the role of helping your child think through the many questions and issues he/she will face in taking this challenge for a life-changing experience. Parents play a very important part in the decisions, finances, and support role in this opportunity.
Timing: When to Study Abroad?
Many short-term opportunities are available to college students, some as short as three weeks. There are also longer-term semester-abroad programs available to students, which we feel has more advantages to students than the short-term type. EduVenture requires some maturity and college experience as a pre-requisite for acceptance into the program before accepting students. We think the junior year is the most ideal time for a semester-abroad program, though we will consider other years as well. The downside of waiting until the junior year is the limitation in the number of course electives and the lack of flexibility in their study program. Because of this reason it is important to make plans to participate early in the college career of a student.
The truism of campus advisors, one affirmed by returning students, is that the longer the program, the greater the positive intellectual and personal impact in their spiritual development and disciplines, academic benefit, and physical and emotional development.
The Importance of a Good Fit
EduVenture, while appealing to many students, is not for everyone. EduVenture is very challenging and stretching and requires preparation financially, spiritually, physically and academically. Some find it hard to meet the challenge of living in an under-developed culture with high adventure and intensive academic and spiritual requirements. Others are invigorated and seek such a life-changing environment. Alumni and parents are grateful for the program. We regularly receive letters of appreciation from parents.
EduVenture is one of the only study-abroad program where regular communication with parents is part of the plan. We see parents who want and are willing to participate with the students and do some stretching themselves!
Students who are already adventuresome, independent, resourceful, and prepared intellectually and linguistically are well suited for EduVenture as a full-immersion program.
Financial Aid
The amount of financial assistance available to families of students wishing to study abroad is likely to depend on one or more of the following considerations:
The financial aid package currently being received for home campus study
The commitment of the student's home institution to foster study abroad opportunities and extending financial aid to such preparation
The economic ability of the home institution to support such a commitment
The amount of additional aid for which students might be qualified for overseas study
Full-time enrollment and participation in an approved program that can be defended as part of the degree studies
Other sources for limited scholarships are available and can be researched on the internet. Try the following sites: <www.finaid.org> <www.tgslc.org> <www.educaid.com> or <www.collegeboard.org/fundfinder>. I have listed only four sites but there are many available. If you do not find these sites helpful then I suggest you do a "financial aid"search of your own at any online search engine. You will find a long list of educational financial aid sites for you to investigate. Other sources of information for financial aid include both public libraries and school libraries.
EduVenture requires a full deposit before the student is fully accepted. This is a non-profit, tax deductible amount ranging from $1,000.00 to $l,500.00, and it covers international travel-related costs between the United States and the site of choice. Students must, however, pay for their own transportation from their homes to Phoenix, AZ. (Location of semester orientation is subject to change.)
Parents and students will benefit from working as closely as possible with campus financial aid offices. At the very least, your son or daughter should make an appointment with the individual responsible for processing aid for study abroad as he or she becomes serious about studying overseas. The study-abroad adviser on campus can provide encouragement and guidance. These advisors may also have information on other available scholarships.
Medical
The Center for Disease Control has good advice that is now widely available at www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm. Anyone going abroad with travel questions can log on and check it out.
Security
Study-abroad programs cannot guarantee the absolute safety of participants or ensure that risk will not at times be greater than at home. Nor can they monitor the personal decisions, choices, and activities of individual participants any more than in the case of their home campuses.
However, we recognize our responsibility and, though we don't require this of our staff members, virtually all have said at one time or another that they would give their life for a student. We take our responsibility and privilege very seriously and are dependent upon God for the success and experiences rendered in this program. In addition to the measures taken by EduVenture, we invite you as a parent or guardian to increase your knowledge about what parents can do to optimize safety during study-abroad.
With a little care and effort and a good deal of planning and prayer, it is possible for your student's semester abroad to be an excellent, life-changing experience for the whole family. Please be in contact with us.
Tom & Sandi Wisley EduVenture@cox.net
Tel.: 520-750-8857
Note: Adapted with appreciation and permission from Mr. Bill Hoffa for Pt. Loma Nazarene University, Sept 2002.
Rev. May 2005 aa.