Summer sessions abroad give students
more options when deciding whether or
not to study long-term overseas.

In addition to semester programs and
winter intersessions abroad, the Offi ce of
Global Studies also gives students the opportunity
to take classes during the summer.

According to Marisa Barone, coordinator
of academics for Global Studies,
summer sessions are a better option for
some students.

Global Studies has responded to this
need by “expanding the options” when it
comes to studying abroad for a summer.

While a semester abroad primarily
focuses on core classes, summer sessions
may have a narrower focus, such as ecological
trips for biology majors or mass
media classes in Russia for communications
majors.

Barone explained that summer sessions
are able to be so focused because
they are taught by St. John’s faculty from
the New York campuses.

“The summer programs are facultyled,”
Barone said. “Semester programs
are taught by local adjunct faculty.”

The summer sessions also offer more
varied locations. While semesters abroad
typically focus on the Rome and Paris
campuses and sometimes Dublin, Ireland
or Salamanca, Spain, summer sessions
may occur almost anywhere that a professor
decides to teach it.

Summer sessions may run a few weeks
long and may begin anywhere from the
end of the spring term until August.

While students seem to like summer
sessions abroad, it does present a problem
with fi nancial aid.

“[Semester and summer sessions] are
both popular,” Barone said. “Summer is
different, though, because fi nancial aid
isn’t as available. Students can carry fi –
nancial aid over to study abroad [if they
travel during the semester].”

In spite of the lack of fi nancial aid,
Barone encouraged students to try anyway,
and that the fi nancial situation may
work out.

“All of these programs are very
worthwhile,” she said.

“The faculty work very hard and students
should try to take advantage of that.
It really makes a difference. There may
be more fi nancial aid being offered [in the
future] for the summer.”

One example of the improving fi nancial
situation is a tuition incentive offered
by Global Studies. According to Barone,
students who take two or more classes
abroad get a $1,000 tuition discount. Barone
noted that “it really does help in the
recruiting” since it was implemented last
summer.

Students could see the benefits of
studying abroad during the summer rather
than during the semester.

Freshman Shamim Hossain said
that the summer probably offers “better
weather and more of the stuff you want to
see” while visiting a foreign country.

Many students, however, said that
they would rather study abroad during the
semester. Freshman Matt Dueringer said
that his decision would be infl uenced by
the courses offered.

“I would rather go during the semester,”
Dueringer said. “You can only take
certain classes in the summer.”

Freshman Josh Ramirez felt similarly.
“I would rather go for the semester,”
he said. “It has to do with fi nancial aid.

There is more [fi nancial aid available
during the semester]. Also, I could enjoy
the country for the entire semester.”

Dueringer said he could understand
why the summer might be a better option
for some students.

“If you’re going to study abroad for
a summer, you have less time to get distracted,”
Dueringer said.

“It would be easier to get focused.
You also miss college life if you go during
the semester.”