Across the Universe: Oxford Trista Turley

Even those who can afford to study abroad will suffer.  Their experience will not be as enriching as those of students such as myself who were able to apply all of our financial aid toward a semester or year abroad.

The simple fact is that even after tuition, room and board are paid, studying abroad is expensive.  In addition to everyday costs such a food and school supplies, students have to pay for travel from the United States to the country in which they are studying, as well as transportation within that country.  These costs add up quickly, especially for students studying in nations where the value of the local currency is significantly higher than the value of the United States dollar.

The more money students have to spend on covering the most basic costs of studying abroad, the less money they have left to spend on enriching activities such as travelling to surrounding countries, visiting historical and cultural landmarks or experiencing the performing arts.

While studying abroad is primarily about studying, these cultural experiences are a key component of study abroad.  Without them, there would be little point in leaving the confines of William Jewell.  If students cannot engage in such activities, their study abroad experience is severely diminished.  While it is true that many foreign countries offer some free museums and other attractions, many attractions cost money.  For example, in the United Kingdom one must pay to gain admission to such historic places as the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.  I have been fortunate enough to visit all of these places, as well as see two productions on London's famous West End, attend an opera at Oxford's historic Sheldonian Theatre and travel to Scotland, France and Germany.  Although I take advantage of every possible student discount and travel very cheaply - staying in hostels and using mass transit and discount airlines - the expense is still significant, particularly considering the poor value of the dollar in comparison to the British Pound and the Euro.  Yet all of these travels and activities have contributed immeasurably to my historical and cultural understanding of the world outside the United States.

I am not sure if I would have been able to afford studying abroad if I had not been able to apply all of my William Jewell financial aid, but I certainly would not have been able to do all that I have done, and my study abroad experience would have been significantly diminished as a result.  I fear that such will be the fate of many future William Jewell students who choose to study abroad.  Thus, I hope that the William Jewell trustees and administrators will reconsider their decision, not only so more students have the opportunity to study abroad, but also so that those who do study abroad can make the most of their opportunity.

Trista Turley is studying in Oxford, England and can be reached at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.