Study Abroad Q&A
Meet Wendy Lippert, director of Messiah’s EpiCenter ( Experiential Programs Information Center). She loves her job, and she loves talking to students about study abroad. Russia, Spain, France, Greece, England, and Costa Rica—Wendy has traveled all over the world visiting many of Messiah’s study abroad programs. “Each country is so unique,” she says. “I loved them all!”
| Q: | What’s so great about Messiah’s study abroad programs? |
| A: | At Messiah, you’ll get the best of both worlds—on campus and off. At our Grantham campus, you’ll be a member of our small, close-knit community. It may feel like you’re a part of our campus family. But traveling to other countries gives you something “the fam” really can’t—exposure to a wide variety of cultures, languages, and ways of life. Messiah has study abroad programs in more than 40 countries, along with internships, and our Philadelphia Campus. Messiah may be a small school, but we offer you—literally—a whole world of opportunities! |
| Q: | But isn’t study abroad for students who major in foreign languages or international business? |
| A: | Nope! Study abroad is something for everyone! That’s right—no matter what major you choose, studying abroad is an option. You just have to want it! And the staff at our EpiCenter will work with you to make studying abroad not just a possibility, but a reality. |
| Q: | Choosing a program, registering for classes, getting a passport, making travel arrangements…it just sounds too confusing! How do I do all of this? |
| A: | At the EpiCenter, we walk you through the whole process, from choosing a program, to the logistics of travel, to re-entry to the U.S. We have checklists for everything, and try to provide as many resources as possible to make it easy for you to study abroad. We even have a special camera to take passport photos right here on campus. In fact, lots of students come back and say, “I didn’t realize it would be that easy!” |
| Q: | How can I hear about other students’ experiences studying abroad? |
| A: | You’ve got it—our students who have studied abroad are the best people to talk to because they’ve been there and done that! When you receive your Messiah College e-mail address as a first-year student, you can join our campus Facebook group called “I Want to Study Abroad.” On the site, you can read about other students’ experiences, ask questions, view trip photos, and get practical advice on traveling in other countries. If you want to learn more now, read journal entries from students who have traveled to Australia, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, Thailand, and more! |
| Q: | I can’t afford to study abroad. Isn’t it expensive? |
| A: | No, studying abroad does not have to be expensive! We try hard to keep the costs of our programs in line with the cost of on-campus study. In fact, many of our study abroad programs have no additional costs—we even pay for your international airfare! Some of our programs do have an external programs fee ($750-$950), but that includes everything, even airfare. There are also some scholarships available for study abroad. |
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| Q: | Don’t I need to speak another language to study abroad? |
| A: | Absolutely not! Some of our programs do have a language requirement, but most of them either are taught in English or include language training as part of the coursework. |
| Q: | Will I be safe in another country? |
| A: | We don’t just send our students off to other countries and let them fend for themselves. Our dean of external programs has visited all of our program sites, so we know these programs well. Before you travel, we provide informational sessions and materials to help you stay as safe as possible. There is also an on-site director at each program location, who keeps us updated on the domestic situation. If for some reason Messiah cancels a program for safety reasons, we will pay for any financial implications. |
| Q: | What is the most challenging part of studying abroad? |
| A: | Things just work differently in other cultures, and learning to navigate different educational systems can be especially challenging. In England, for example, you might have one paper or exam that serves as your grade for the entire course. But, again, there are on-site directors to help you figure things out. Learning to understand a different culture can also be fun and exciting! |
| Q: | How will study-abroad influence me as a person? |
| A: | Students who return from a semester or year abroad seem to be more mature and focused, and they see the world in a whole new way. Study abroad really can have an impact on all of your life. It can help you discover what it is you really want to do, and might even help shape your career goals. |
| Q: | What if I get there and just don’t like it? |
| A: | None of our students have ever returned to the United States because they just didn’t like studying abroad. Yes, you’ll most likely experience some degree of “culture shock,” but we help you prepare for this before you even get on the plane. There are also on-site staff who are there to help you transition to life in another country. But—trust us—you’re going to love it! |
