Sarah Cantin | When the cost of going abroad is a benefit

I loved everything about my semester abroad in London - except, of course, how much it cost. I lived frugally, but when a load of laundry sets you back $10, you can't help but feel that you're fighting a losing battle. With many students thinking twice before purchasing so much as a latte, it's easy to assume that a semester abroad - with its high exchange rates and weekend-whirlwind tours - is an impractical indulgence.

This trend is certainly visible on other college campuses. Anne Waters, executive director of Penn's Office of International Programs (OIP), notes that, "Many universities are finding a very sharp drop in student participation in study abroad for fall 2009," with the enrollment of some programs down 30 to 40 percent. At Penn, however, applications for study abroad next fall are up, and most dramatically in Western Europe - the countries that typically take the most from a student's wallet.

Not only are applications for study abroad up, but the OIP is actively seeking new ways for students to gain international exposure, with plans to increase more networking and job opportunities abroad. It makes sense: With the recession reaching global proportions, students need, more than ever, to be aware of how other countries and cultures operate. Indeed, the new initiatives of the OIP are recasting study abroad as less of a luxury, and more of a character - not to mention, resume - enhancing experience.

And the current state of the economy can actually benefit those who want to go abroad now. Students typically pay the same amount to study in Paris as they do in Philadelphia, but most incur extra expenses because of unfavorable exchange rates and the irresistible appeal of continent hopping from Berlin to Madrid. But with rates favoring the dollar more than they have in recent years, some students, like College sophomore Maureen Devenny, found that "study abroad would not cost my family a significant deal more than domestic study."

As a result, Penn students still plan to study abroad in large numbers - though many will do so with slightly less peace of mind.

"I do think I'll be more conscious of where I go or what I buy," admits Carlye Rosenthal, a College sophomore planning to study in Morocco. And while College junior Mike Tague, currently in London, is enjoying the "much-improved exchange rate," he says, "I still try to make every pound go as far as it can, and have chosen cheaper meals and drinks."

Some students are even seeing academic opportunities in the midst of crisis. Wharton sophomore Richa Gupta says that the rise of "globalization and more-open worldwide economies" factored significantly into her decision to apply for study in Hong Kong next fall. "It's an emerging economic contender," she explains. "And it will be such an exciting environment to be in."

Gupta isn't the only one thinking strategically about the potentials of international study and travel. With the U.S. job market in shambles, the OIP has worked quickly to launch a new program for international internships, which over 120 Penn students have applied for for this summer. More programs that collaborate with Penn alumni abroad are also in the works, with the hopes of establishing networking opportunities for students studying in foreign locales. After all, even if most students don't think about enhancing their resume during their time overseas, the experience may carry a certain currency when their job hunts begin. Waters affirms, "Study abroad can help distinguish a recent graduate from other job applicants."

During a national crisis such as this, our tendency might be to batten down the proverbial hatches, and remain insularly focused until the storm has passed. But the increasingly global nature of this recession should serve to remind us of how interconnected we all are. While study abroad can be a significant financial undertaking, it's also one that pays enormous dividends. As our world is getting smaller, global engagement is one "luxury" we can't afford to sacrifice.

Sarah Cantin is a College senior from Boston, Mass. Candid Cantin appears on alternating Mondays. Her email address is cantin@dailypennsylvanian.com.

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