The world has become a giant classroom now that MSU sends students to all seven continents, including Antarctica, for study abroad.
Last year about 2,400 MSU students left East Lansing to study in a foreign country, said Cheryl Benner, the communications manager at the Office of Study Abroad.
The most popular destinations were English-speaking countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, Benner said.
However, some students have misconceptions about study abroad and skip out on the foreign experience altogether.
There are three myths about study abroad — finances, fear and fit, said Inge Steglitz, assistant director at the Office of Study Abroad.
People think study abroad is for rich kids only, she said.
Some countries, such as Thailand and Eastern Europe, have a cheaper cost of living, Steglitz said.
"You don't have to stay in Italy," she said.
Programs vary on cost depending on the location, how long the program runs, the accommodations and what is actually included, such as meals, Steglitz said.
In order to make the cost more affordable, there are scholarships from individual colleges, including the Honors College. The MSU Federal Credit Union will also reward up to 130 students with scholarships, Steglitz said.
Students' financial aid packages also transfer overseas. They just need to have a FAFSA on file.
Fear is another reason why students veer away from study abroad, Steglitz said.
In order to ensure safety, students receive a card with the emergency phone number of the study abroad office, and all programs are reviewed to make sure they are safe, she said.
In 2000, MSU decided to stop sending programs to Israel because of safety concerns. The program only recently started up again.
"We really take safety and security very seriously," Steglitz said.
Other students worry they will miss credits and not be fit to graduate on time if they study abroad.
However, Steglitz said many students actually graduate earlier because they squeeze in study abroad during the summer for a few extra credits. "There's absolutely no reason to have to blame study abroad for a delay in graduation," she said.
Students work with counselors before they leave to make sure they will receive the right credits whether it is specifically for their majors, electives or a cognate.
Visit www.studyabroad.msu.edu.
