One of the best parts of being a college student is having the chance to experience new places and people. Syracuse University has six centers for students to study at around the world and also partners with other colleges and universities. According to US News & World Report, SUAbroad is ranked among the best international programs.

Daeya Malboeuf, SUAbroad communications manager, encouraged students to take the opportunity to go abroad.

‘It completely changes your perspective,’ she said. ‘It makes the subject you’re studying come alive.

‘Uncommon destinations are becoming more popular. People are becoming more adventurous.’

Students who wish to go to places such as Costa Rica or India can take advantage of one of SU’s world partners that offer programs in 25 locations.

However, Malboeuf warned if students decide to go abroad, they should remember to keep themselves out of trouble.

‘Europeans don’t treat alcohol the same way we do,’ she said. ‘And if you get in trouble, you aren’t under American law.’

Many countries are much more severe on certain offenses than America is, and students that are arrested can sometimes be kicked out of their abroad program. In order to avoid such situations, students attend an orientation before they leave and when they arrive at their destinations.

Applications for SUAbroad can be completed online at SUAbroad.syr.edu. It is important for students to make sure their paperwork (passports, visas, etc.) is in order.

Malboeuf said the six SU centers around the world resemble mini-SU campuses. Here is what each center has to offer:

Bejing, China: Located at Ysinghua University, this abroad program gives students the chance to explore the world of contemporary China. The Beijing center offers coursework in geography, history, communications, international relations and language. As the political center of China, Beijing offers students the chance to explore the nation’s extensive history and its modern economic expansion. SU students in Beijing live in the Ysinghua University residence halls and have access to all university dining halls, labs and buildings.

Strasbourg, France: Near the border with Germany, Strasbourg is considered the crossroads of Europe. It is an excellent place to study human rights, international

policy and politics and musical performance. It also gives students the opportunity to

view parliaments and the European Union. It is located within a five-minute walk of both

the Council of Europe and the University of Strasbourg.

‘Strasbourg is the most important city in France when it comes to European politics, as opposed to purely French politics,’ said Raymond Bach, a director at the center.

Students who wish to go there are placed with host families during their stay so they are immersed in the culture.

Madrid, Spain: Instituto Internacional is the home of this SU center, right in the heart of Spain. This center specializes in engineering, management, business and women’s studies. There is no language prerequisite, so all students can go to learn about Spanish culture and language. Students here are also placed with host families for the duration of their stay to truly become part of the life that Spain has to offer.

Hong Kong, China: This program offers students the opportunity to study the political economies, business and cultures of East Asia at City University in Kowloon Tong. Students who go to Hong Kong will not only study but will participate in the global market of China. Students live in NTT House, a guest house on the Hong Kong Baptist University campus only 10 minutes from City University.

Florence, Italy: In this Renaissance city, architecture, art history/fine arts,

humanities, Italian language, studio arts and women’s and gender studies are included in the course catalog. A new management/arts management component is also being offered. Located on historic Piazza Savonarola, the center contains a renowned library, the largest English-language collection in the city. Malboeuf said students are placed with host families to encourage cultural and lingual immersion. However, architecture students live in apartments because of their busy schedules.

London, England: This is the most popular of the SUAbroad programs. Because of the vast curriculum, students can study just about anything in London, from design to business to communications. The campus has been expanded by the University of London, offering over 70 classes. Students are set up in pre-arranged housing but can find their own apartments if they wish.

For more info: suabroad.syr.edu

Published on October 2, 2006 at 12:00 pm