LBCC Teams Up with OSU to Offer Study Abroad

Study Abroad suspended!

Or is it?

Yes the Study Abroad Club has been another victim of the recent budget cuts at LBCC and will be temporarily suspended starting fall term of 2011. There is another option, however, for students looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a term studying in Fiji, Brazil, Australia, maybe England, or any one of the 70 Countries that Oregon State University's Study Abroad programs have to offer.

Kim Sullivan has been running the study abroad club here at LBCC  since 2008 and was upset to hear about the suspension of the program. Sullivan has helped many students in the past few years through the study abroad process and wanted a way to continue to do so. One of the many benefits of being a student at LB is the ability to be dual-enrolled at OSU in the degree partnership program.

Using these resources, Sullivan will still be able to help students do a study abroad trip in one of the 200 programs that OSU has to offer. Once a student has successfully completed the degree partnership application, they can then take advantage of this amazing experience and begin a life-changing journey.

Ann Helms, a former student at LB who is now studying at OSU, liked her experience enough during her study abroad in London last spring that she is already signed up to go on another study abroad  in the fall through OSU. When asked to about her experience in London, Helms said she “couldn’t have asked for more out of it."

The financial aspect of a study abroad is one that can throw a lot of students off. There is hope, however. If you follow Sullivan's advice of planning ahead and staying on top of the deadlines, you can get assistance. There are scholarships out there for students that are Pell eligible and your financial aid advisers can work with you to get the most out of your financial aid. The Gilman scholarship alone can award up to $5,000 to a student.

Image from blogs.oregonstate.edu

Katie Landgren, a history major here at LB who also spent a term abroad in London last spring was awarded $3,500 from the Gilman and $2,000 from other scholarships to help pay for her experience. Landren also had nothing but good things to say about her time in England. While studying the History of the British Empire, Drama Writing, Travel Writing, and World History, she was also able to see the famous Stonehenge and travel to Scotland on a four day excursion.

For several students, the college process and lengthy time it takes to complete can be a drag and seem repetitive at times. The study abroad gives students a jolt of energy and breath of fresh air into their college experience. There is no better way to get a well-rounded and culturally balanced education than a term away from home in a foreign country.  There are many options available some lasting only three weeks to others that are a full term.

 It’s hard to say whether LB will ever officially bring back the Study Abroad Club to allow all of our student's to enjoy this experience, but you shouldn't be afraid to get involved and ask questions on how you can do a term away from home.

At a glance:

If you would like to follow a current student on her study abroad in London check out Emily Rose's blog as she updates her adventures and experiences over the next 10 weeks. 


For more information on the Study Abroad Club go see Kim Sullivan in the Admissions office in Takena Hall or email her at sullivk@linnbenton.edu .