New Policies Aim at Expanding Study Abroad Opportunities

Trinity student Tierney Thomison currently studies abroad in Bolivia
Photo courtesy of Tierney Thomison

By Abby Tisdale and Katie Welch

A new model could provide better financial aid and therefore more opportunities of studying abroad for Trinity students, said a faculty and staff panel at a town hall Tuesday evening.

The panel featured Dr. Katsuo Nishikawa, the director of the Center of International Engagement, Glendi Gaddis, Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services, and Nancy Erickson, assistant director of Study Abroad. Student Government Association (SGA) sponsored the townhall.

The new model is called home school tuition model, or HSTM. This model allows students studying abroad during fall and spring semesters to only pay for the normal cost as attending their home school, Trinity, including tuition, room and board. Students are also able to use federal, state and Trinity financial aid while studying abroad during regular semesters. Airfare, however, is not covered, said Nishikawa.

Trinity students studying abroad admire
local art in Valparaiso, Chile
Photo by Alex Cohen

“We wanted to streamline the financial aid process, and allow students to not worry if they would be able to use their financial aid while going abroad,” said Gaddis.

Under the old model, the budget was limited, and students were unable to access state or federal funding when they studied abroad.

The new changes apply to all students currently under the Pathways curriculum, implemented in fall 2015, as the new study abroad program allows for direct transfer of credits to the Pathways curricular system.

Kassie Kelly, a junior music and political science double-major and SGA member, asked during Q&A if the changes could apply to students still under Common Curriculum. There was a pause as the panelists exchanged glances, unsure how to answer.

“To be honest, I don’t think we actually thought about that,” said Gaddis. “I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to facilitate that on a case-to-case basis.”

Another question concerned cost of airfare. Although the transportation allowance will be adjusted accordingly on a case by case basis, Gaddis said that any additional financial need demonstrated by students will be met with loans, not grants. Dr. Nikishawa also reiterated that the cost of airfare is not included in HSTM.

Despite concerns for cost, the panelists all agreed that the new model is the best option for the financial needs of students.

“There cannot be a two-tiered Trinity experience,” Nishikawa said, adding that he doesn't want different students’ options to be dependent on their income.

“We don’t want you to think about price, we want you to find the best experience for you,” added Gaddis.

Meanwhile, Nancy Erickson pointed out that not everything was possible under the new model, because study abroad programs need to meet three principles, academic rigor, inclusiveness, and safety.

“We want to make sure that we are more in control of the education students are getting,” Nishikawa said. “Trinity offers academically rigorous classes, so we need to make sure students get the same thing when they go abroad.”

Nonetheless, Nishikawa stressed the benefits of studying abroad, which takes students out of their comfort zones and turns them into global citizens who understand those living differently from them.

“When we think about this program, we want to think about the students at graduation, and their careers 30 years from now,” Nishikawa said. “We don’t know what the world is going to be, but we hope to prepare them for that."

The panelists urged the students to visit the study abroad office page and sign up for a First Steps Presentation to learn more and begin the study abroad process.