In Higher Demand, But Under Higher Scrutiny:

The Complexity of Offering Study Abroad Programs

Angela Januzzi

August 13, 2007 

Today, the ability to study abroad is now a central priority for most traditional college students. Still, many schools do not offer study abroad programs through their systems, but instead through companies or non-profit organizations.  

The recent surge in student demand for study abroad programs has brought with it an examination of such outsourcing of these programs: many critics of the lending scandals, currently plaguing loan companies and their bribed schools, also link these “outside” study abroad programs to similar corrupted incentives. The non-profit Institute for Study Abroad, for instance, gives a $500 payback per student to schools which restrict students to only using the Institute in a limited area.

Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, says such deals are only slowing savings for students. “We’re all wringing our hands about how to make it possible for lower income kids to participate in study abroad,” said Nassirian. “But one of the reasons it costs so much is all this institutional mediation.” 

In order to fully gain students’ trust and ensure optimum satisfaction, it seems, schools must make these agreements with study abroad companies as transparent as possible.

Source: Schemo, Diana Jean. “In Study Abroad, Gifts and Money for Universities.” www.nytimes.com. Posted: August 13, 2007.