Studying abroad is wishful thinking for many students nationwide, but with the help of Sacramento State’s Office of Global Education these fantasies can be made a into reality, said Kassandra Perlongo, English graduate student.

Perlongo studied abroad through the California State University International Study Abroad Program from fall 2008 to summer 2009 at Swansea University in the United Kingdom.

Perlongo said the reason many people choose not to study abroad is because of the cost or because they are afraid to live alone in a foreign place.

She said she understands the anxiety of traveling alone to another country; fortunately, universities abroad are aware of this innate fear and cater to international students.

“There was a lot of determination, interest and motivation within myself that lead me to study abroad, even if it was on my own,” Perlongo said.

The Office of Global Education, located in Lassen Hall, Room 2304, offers two study abroad programs which include the following: the California State University system’s international program and the Sac State’s study abroad program.

The international program is a yearlong trip and Sac State’s program can last for one semester or a year. The countries featured for study differ between the two programs but the benefits offered among the programs are similar.

Janis Silvers, acting coordinator from the Office of Global Education at Sac State, said what also occurs in the Office of Global Education is the coordination that is needed to deal with the international part of the program.

Students that study abroad have international advisors present in the office bringing in diversity of people from around the world.

Perlongo’s fears of living alone in Wales were addressed immediately thanks to the Office of Global Education. She said not only did she have a coach waiting for her at the airport but the university in Wales set up many get-togethers on campus for students to get to know one another.

Even better for Perlongo was that the office gave her an opportunity before the trip to communicate with other CSU students in the international program who were also going to Swansea.

Perlongo said without the Office of Global Education at Sac State, she never would have committed to studying abroad. She said the office was great at getting back to people in a timely manner and they are sure to tell students everything they needed to know ahead of time.

At Sac State, students can choose to study abroad in several countries: Chile, France, Italy, Ghana, Australia, the United Kingdom and Turkey.

Silvers said students interested in studying abroad should allow themselves a year of preparation to organize the trip through the Office of Global Education. She said it is the administrative process that requires the one-year preparation.

There is an application process and a necessary recommendation, along with other qualifications that determine whether students are accepted into the program.

A large part of the administrative process, Silvers said, deals with class scheduling abroad.

She said although the schools abroad are accredited and offer similar fields of study, students will still have to work with their academic department of choice to determine whether their classes abroad will count toward their major.

Silvers said the office helps to make CSU curriculum cohesive with international curriculum for each individual student; nonetheless, it is still a process.

She said this is why it is good for undergraduate students to provide themselves with study abroad information early on in their studies &- to give them time to plan.

Students can educate themselves on these opportunities by attending workshops held by the Office of Global Education throughout the semester.

Scheduling for these workshops can be found in the Office of Global Education.When studying abroad, Perlongo said, she notices a cultural exchange where people take in the cultures of others and learn to adapt to differences.

Silvers agrees and said students studying abroad are forced to accept different norms and socialization, which in turn helps them to grow in ways they could not here in Sacramento.

Additionally, she said students will capture a better perspective of how other cultures view Americans and our culture in general while studying abroad.

“It is important for students to have a global perspective,” Silvers said. “From studying abroad, students gain international skills, a better global understanding and global interpersonal skills.”

Silvers also said that studying abroad is important because students can learn a lot about themselves when they get out of their comfort zone. She said most students come home with a newfound confidence and independence.

In terms of financial obligations, Silvers said Sac State’s study abroad program and CSU’s international program are the best because students do not have to pay international fees.

Additionally, she said financial aid can be used to cover student’s study abroad expenses.

Erin Lane, senior business administration major, completed her education in Budapest, Hungary, at Corvinus University of Budapest.

Lane said that she felt a whole array of different emotions during her study abroad but in the end she came back with an experience of a lifetime.

“My experience abroad was scary, fun, sad, exciting and challenging,” Lane said. “I say scary and sad because this was one of the scariest things I’ve done and it was very hard to be away from the family and the comfort of your normal lifestyle for an entire academic year.”

Although anxious in the beginning, Lane’s decision to attend school in Hungary helped her grow as a individual.

“It would make me sad at times but with so much going on it is easy to distract yourself and just enjoy being there,” Lane said. “I have learned to step outside of my comfort zone because it usually brings good things or at least it’s a good learning experience.”

Lane said it was the first time she studied abroad and that the experience was more than worthwhile.

“This was one of the best experiences of my life so far and I would encourage everyone to study abroad if they have the chance. It will change you forever – in a good way,” Lane said.

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