Okay, I’ve got your attention. Let’s talk nickels and dimes. You and/or your student want to study abroad. Bravo! Wunderbar! Bueno! We at CEA applaud the wanderlust that entices you to enter the world’s classroom.

At first blush, the price tag for your study abroad experience may seem like a lot. Remember – this is an extension of your college experience and can be planned for in much the same way. Many of the financial opportunities that exist for college students today also apply to earning credits in another country. So don’t overlook your chance to expand your global competence until you’ve examined these avenues of financial help.

First and foremost, CEA’s financial advisor, Kelly Walker, tells us there’s been a change to the U.S. PELL Grant distribution system. College students who qualified for the 2009-2010 academic year for financial assistance in the form of a PELL Grant, and who sign up for full-time student status during the summer term (six credits) might qualify for another grant disbursement equal to the fall and spring semesters (check with your school’s financial aid office for details).

For example: $1,500 for Fall 2009 and another $1,500 for Spring 2010, and you sign up to take six credits for Summer 2010, then you may qualify to take another $1,500 disbursement to pay for that summer semester - including a variety of destinations, including Guadalajara, Mexico!

If you or your student did not qualify for a U.S. Pell Grant this year, here are some other opportunities to consider:

1. First, go immediately to your college/university’s financial aid office. There you can determine if you are eligible for one of federal loan programs: the student Stafford Loan and the Parent (PLUS) Loan.
2. Talk to your own bank about what personal loan products they have available. The banks that are lending right now are doing so through colleges and universities. So, again, start with your educational institute first.
3. Look at an employer-sponsored scholarship. Depending on where Mom and Dad work, their dependent children may qualify for a company scholarship program. Inquire with your company’s HR department to find out.
4. Examine what other scholarships are out there for study abroad using these search tools: fastweb and NextStudent.
5. Finally, don’t rule out talking to family members. A little holiday spending money here and there, a check instead of another $50 iTunes download card – it all adds up and it’s for your future. Let your loved ones know how they can give you a gift that will last a lifetime.

Download our Financing Study Abroad Brochure for more useful information on paying for your study abroad experience. Or check out our Financing and Scholarships page.

CEA Students on excursion in Venice, Italy

The Institute of International Education released its annual Open Doors report this week and confirmed what we at CEA study abroad programs already know – the number of students finding value in studying abroad is growing. In fact, through the academic year 2007-2008, U.S. study abroad participation has increased four-fold in the last decade.

One can now imagine a time in the not too distant future when the number of U.S. students studying abroad will approximate the number of international students studying in the United States. That would have been unthinkable 20 years ago.

World events including Sept. 11, 2001, the opening of Eastern Europe to Westerners and the end of the Cold War have contributed to a shift in American mindset. We recognize and value now, more than ever, our international relationships. The ability to navigate different cultures is increasingly becoming an asset in today’s work force. Another recent IIE survey showed 60 percent of senior managers said the hiring and promotion strategy of their companies acknowledged the importance of a study abroad experience. Of those senior managers who had studied abroad themselves, 90 percent said they had such a hiring and promotion strategy.

Adding to the groundswell of interest in study abroad programs are cheaper airfare options, the explosion of short-term study abroad programs appealing to a wider demographic of students and the sometimes heated argument over the impact of globalization. For example, this year’s Open Doors report also shows an increased interest among study abroad participants in less traditional destinations, including China, Costa Rica, Argentina and South Africa – destinations with which CEA currently has relationships.


In response to an interest and under-served need we saw earlier this year, CEA is excited to open two new Global Campuses in 2010 in Shanghai and Buenos Aires. IIE reports that the number of students studying in Asia increased 17 percent last year – no doubt because of China’s increasing presence on the global economic stage. In the same vein, Argentina is CEA’s fastest growing Latin American destination, which saw an 11 percent increase in study abroad participants last year according to IIE.

What this means for students today is easy to see. The skills students stand to gain from studying abroad are real and measurable in today’s evolving business world. As the number of students studying abroad continues to push higher and higher – despite the current slowdown related to the global recession, U.S. campuses must prepare by integrating study abroad into their curricula and expanding and diversifying study abroad program options for their students. CEA is proud to continue to take a role in introducing tomorrow’s U.S. work force to the international classroom.

- John D. Heyl, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Global Education at CEA.

CEA study abroad students recently observed a Day of the Dead celebration in Michoacán in Guadalajara. The experience proved both enchanting and spiritual. The Day of the Dead is a celebration in memory of loved ones who have passed away. The celebration takes place the night of Nov. 1, when people visit their deceased relatives, decorating their tombs with cempasuchitl flowers (the orange ones), gladiolas, tons of candles and whatever food their loved one may have enjoyed in life.

This reverent ritual is a true representation of the fusion of two cultures – Spanish and Purepecha (Indians from Michoacán). In this part of Guadalajara, the Day of the Dead tradition has survived modernity and the day-to-day rush of Western culture.

Our CEA excursion began at 1 p.m. as we headed to Quiroga. There we enjoyed Carnitas (pork) tacos and strolled the main street for souvenirs. Next we visit the Patzcuaro, where artisans from the state gather in the main square to sell their merchandise. You can find really unique pieces that have won national awards! A scoop of ice cream and a cup of coffee later, we decide we cannot leave town without a sugar skull with our names printed on the forehead!

By 11 p.m., we head to Tzin-tzun-tzan, an ancient Purepecha kingdom and the first city to be taken by the Spanish. There we visit the cemeteries – all lit by candles. You can smell the flowers, candles and food. It’s strange to see a tomb where there is no body, while celebrating the return of the departed.

We stroll around the graveyard, where some people sleep until 6 a.m., when they go to mass. We also visit the Yacatas ancient round pyramids, where we enjoy hot fruit punch and watch a festival with music and traditional dances. By 2 a.m. we’re sleepy and ready to head back home before we see something really spooky.

My trip to Costa Rica was an experience of a lifetime. It not only improved my Spanish abilities drastically, it changed my life in numerous ways. Upon returning to the United States, I feel more self-confident, more independent, and more appreciative.

Costa Rica made me realize who I was as a person. The people I studied with, the experiences we had, and the Costa Rican culture helped me come to this realization. The friends that I made while abroad are friends that I will never forget and still keep in close contact with. The experiences we had range all the way from bungee jumping off the highest bridge in Costa Rica to sitting down with a Costa Rican mother to eat dinner. Regardless of what we were doing, it was always a valuable experience.
The CEA staff both onsite and in the U.S. were extraordinarily helpful and welcoming. I could not have asked or dreamed of a better study abroad experience. I would go again in a heartbeat.

- Christina Signore
  Costa Rica
  June 2009

If you are thinking about doing something different next semester, consider a study abroad program. There’s still time to check out programs and decide which one is right for you and your educational goals. And, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. From choosing your host city to securing academic credit to determining your financial options – you have help! Our expert counselors have walked thousands of students like you through the process. Don’t wait – sign up for the experience of a lifetime next Spring.

Here are just a few of our most popular cities still open:

• Paris, France
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Barcelona, Spain
• Rome, Italy
• Florence, Italy
• Madrid, Spain
• Seville, Spain

Imagine what next term could be like... exploring the streets of an exciting international city that you get to call home, developing lifelong friendships with students from all over the world, learning the native language and taking advantage of a wealth of new experiences! Interested in spending more time travelling? Each of our global destinations offers excursions and out of the classroom immersion activities. Plus, Spring is the ideal time to study abroad, as you have summer break to continue your exploration and extend your travels before you go back to school.

Please review your available program options and get in touch with us today. Several deadlines are coming up in the next few weeks so it is important you get started now!

As Director of Development here at CEA, I serve as a project manager as we develop new programs and locations. One of the most exciting projects in my portfolio is the creation of a new Global Campus in Shanghai, China.

Hosted at East China Normal University, the Global Campus will enroll its first group of students for Summer 2010 You can get more information and sign up for updates on our website.

Later this month, I’ll be visiting Shanghai to examine our facilities and meet with colleagues at ECNU. I’m planning to take lots of photos of student housing as well as the neighborhood around the Global Campus, so whether it's Facebook, Twitter or through your MyCEA Account, get connected with CEA to keep abreast of the latest news!

My itinerary includes plenty of “official business,” but I’m hoping to make time to explore the city as well. In the process of developing our curriculum plan for the Global Campus, I met and worked with a number of professors who had extensive experience in Shanghai – so I asked them what to see and do. Their recommendations include a restaurant called Din Tai Fung (which is famous for Chinese steamed dumplings), visiting the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai Museum, a night cruise on Huangpu River... There's just so much to do!

I’ll report back later with more details about the CEA Global Campus in Shanghai – and about spending Thanksgiving in Shanghai!

Shannon Cates
CEA’s Director of Development

With a lot of conversation and headlines regarding the H1N1 virus recently, CEA Study Abroad Programs undertook a thorough review of their policies and response guidelines. Valuing my experience as a consultant in health and higher education, they asked me to conduct this review and provide any additional information that would improve their preparedness policy and the following of best practices. All of this is in an effort for CEA to be fully informed and ready to respond to any health-related situation around the world.

You can go to the full policy or review a list of helpful hints that CEA recommends for students and parents, providing ways to do your best to stay healthy and for dealing with seasonal and H1N1 flu situations. CEA places a premium on the overall service they provide parents and students and works to ensure they deliver the best educational experience abroad.

Important H1N1 (Swine) Flu Prevention and Response Information for the CEA Community

A letter for parents regarding H1N1 and CEA's study abroad programs

- Cheryl T. Samuels, PhD
  Health and Safety Consultant