As America becomes more and more involved in a truly global economy, it has become apparent that students need opportunities to study and travel abroad. Realizing that an International study experience gives students an opportunity to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of other peoples and cultures, the College has found away to expand the range of opportunities for Berea students to study abroad.

This spring a new model program called Berea Term Abroad, administered through the recently established International Center, began doing just that. The program supplies funding for up to 40 students a year to spend a semester studying abroad. Eligible students are able to select programs appropriate for their majors in the countries they are interested in. Then each student must apply to a faculty committee for approval and funding.

"The College has seen the importance of having an international experience be a part of a college education," says Suzanne Kifer, assistant director of the International Center and Study Abroad Advisor. "It creates students that are going to become world citizens and world travelers and that is part of their education … to begin to view themselves in that way."

Even though the new program was announced after school began this fall, five students have already selected programs for the Spring Term and been approved by the faculty committee. With Kifer’s guidance students have been able to work through the planning process using a library of international study information and lists of programs set up in the International Center office. The lists of recommended programs are based with agencies, universities and financial agencies Kifer has worked with before.

"I’ve been doing this for about fifteen or sixteen years," said Kifer. "I know people all over the world and I know the good ones; ones that would fit within the budget we have in mind."

Students can also identify study abroad programs through their own research and if the faculty committee approves the program and academic plan it will be added to the list of programs already approved.

The expense of traveling abroad has been a major barrier for students wanting to study abroad. Prior to the new program, the amount of money need was not available except for a few special scholarships and awards.

"The College is doing all it can to make it financially possible for students to experience international study," explained Kifer. "Through this new program a large amount of money has been dedicated to seeing that student can do a semester abroad."

The faculty committee will only approves sites that a student can manage financially with a combination of grant and loan. Under the Term Abroad program students are limited to a maximum of $8,000 in grant monies and the rest in loan. The Financial Aid office works closely with these students.

"Students will need to take a loan because there isn’t any way that the College will pay for the whole cost of going," explains Kifer. "Students must realize that for special kinds of programs, part of the financial responsibility is going to be theirs."

In the past study abroad programs at Berea were limited mainly to short programs. The majority of students participated in a short-term international class or a summer KIIS program. (Kentucky Institute for International Studies is a statewide consortium of eleven different public and private institutions that organize and coordinates study abroad programs). KIIS also provides two, semester program’s, one in Mexico and one in Spain, about twenty-five students went on this program last summer. These programs will now be administered through Berea Term Abroad.

According to Martin Holman, director of the International Center as of September 1, many students at Berea have had an opportunity to travel. Last year 140 students were able to study outside the country.

"Just with short term and summer programs alone, we send a lot of students abroad," said Holman. "The national average is somewhere between one and three percent of undergraduates at US colleges and universities."

Holman thinks many Berea students have had an opportunity to travel, but feels the program needs to continue to grow and develop.

"The numbers are good," said Holman, "but don't represent the kind of depth of experience we'd like our students to have. It's good, but I'd like to get our students a full semester and we have many students for whom a full year would be a good thing."

Through travel and study Berea College is offering many students an opportunity to better understand the world and their place in it. These experiences enrich their lives and the lives of others.