2008 Woodie Awards
Students continue to travel abroad despite safety risks
Ida Lieszkovszky
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Campus
As increasing numbers of Miami University students spend summers abroad, many are choosing less traditional study abroad destinations despite possible safety and health concerns.
Kenya, Gambia, Mexico, China, Costa Rica, Turkey and India are just a few of the many study abroad locations students have to choose from this summer, according to Cheryl Young, director of the Office of Lifelong Learning.
"(Study abroad) gives a completely different perspective," said Young, who will be traveling to Thailand this summer. "It is a different way of seeing the world and of seeing yourself."
According to Young, summer is the opportune time for students who worry about falling behind in their academic schedule or have concerns about traveling abroad in general.
Young said the summer workshops offered by Miami can last from just a few weeks to more than 2 months and can cost between $2,000 and $12,000.
The variety in locations, program duration and cost may make it easy for some Miami students to find a program they like. Yet, some programs have difficulty attracting undergraduates.
One reason some programs don't attract a lot of students, according to some students and faculty, is health and safety concerns.
Sophomore Abby Reagh, who will be participating in a summer program in Gambia, admitted that health concerns are on her mind.
"I have spent a great deal of money on vaccinations," Reagh said, who will also be on medication for malaria one week prior to departure and for another week upon her return.
Reagh, a nursing student, will be working directly with patients in Gambia. Although the concern of AIDS has not escaped her, she says she is more worried about the mosquitoes and typhoid fever.
Melvin Cohen, professor of political science, is taking a group of seven to Gambia for the fifth time this summer. The program is focused on health care in Gambia and students will be working in a health-related field.
Kenya, Gambia, Mexico, China, Costa Rica, Turkey and India are just a few of the many study abroad locations students have to choose from this summer, according to Cheryl Young, director of the Office of Lifelong Learning.
"(Study abroad) gives a completely different perspective," said Young, who will be traveling to Thailand this summer. "It is a different way of seeing the world and of seeing yourself."
According to Young, summer is the opportune time for students who worry about falling behind in their academic schedule or have concerns about traveling abroad in general.
Young said the summer workshops offered by Miami can last from just a few weeks to more than 2 months and can cost between $2,000 and $12,000.
The variety in locations, program duration and cost may make it easy for some Miami students to find a program they like. Yet, some programs have difficulty attracting undergraduates.
One reason some programs don't attract a lot of students, according to some students and faculty, is health and safety concerns.
Sophomore Abby Reagh, who will be participating in a summer program in Gambia, admitted that health concerns are on her mind.
"I have spent a great deal of money on vaccinations," Reagh said, who will also be on medication for malaria one week prior to departure and for another week upon her return.
Reagh, a nursing student, will be working directly with patients in Gambia. Although the concern of AIDS has not escaped her, she says she is more worried about the mosquitoes and typhoid fever.
Melvin Cohen, professor of political science, is taking a group of seven to Gambia for the fifth time this summer. The program is focused on health care in Gambia and students will be working in a health-related field.
Be the first to comment on this story