Studying Abroad in the Time of COVID-19
Studying abroad might seem like a far-fetched dream for many the adventurous student due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. COVID has affected everything about our lives, from how we interact with each other to how we travel and immerse ourselves in new cultures. But, on the bright side, Chatham’s Office of International Affairs remains committed to assisting students in their study abroad journeys. We caught up with Study Abroad Coordinator, Karin Chipman and student, Bailee Yaros—who studied abroad in Fall 2021—to learn more about the who, what, where(s), how(s), and why(s) of studying abroad right now. Read on as Karin addresses some Study Abroad FAQs and Bailee highlights her experiences in South Korea—
“I’m a student interested in studying abroad but I have no idea where to start. Can you point me towards the first step?”
Bailee Yaros with friends in South Korea
Karin Chipman: Great! Your first step should be to think about your study abroad goals and what you hope to gain through your international experience. Ask yourself if your goals are academic only, or do you also have personal goals for your experience? Do you need to fulfill specific requirements toward your major or can you take electives? Do you want to gain a specific skill, such as language learning? What type of experience do you want to have? Your experience abroad can include academic courses, professional opportunities like an internship or research, and experiential activities such as home-stays or community engagement. Thinking through these questions and reviewing locations and program types in study abroad program options can help guide you.
“What is the best time (or year) in my coursework for studying abroad?”
KC: Chatham students are eligible to study abroad when they have completed 30 undergraduate credits; 15 of which must have been completed at Chatham. The best time for you to study abroad will depend on your program of study and the sequencing of required coursework. You can check the 4-year plan checklist for your major on myChatham – Academic Advising. Most Chatham students will study abroad in their second or third year. Generally, students participating in summer study abroad find less conflict with academic tracking. We advise students to discuss timing of their study abroad plan with their academic advisor to be sure the desired time frame does not conflict with academics.
“How is the COVID-19 pandemic impacting where and when I can study abroad?”
KC: The pandemic has greatly impacted international travel and the situation is still evolving, limiting options for locations that can be approved for study abroad. Consistent with current Chatham study abroad approval policies, Chatham will approve students to participate in mobility-based study abroad for summer and upcoming terms in locations that have a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory of Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) or Level 2 (Exercise Increased Precautions) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID19 Travel Health Notice of Level 1 (Low) or Level 2 (Moderate). Level 3 (Reconsider Travel or COVID-19 High) locations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students are advised to reach out to the International Affairs office with any questions.
“What is the difference between studying abroad with one of Chatham’s programs versus an outside university?”
KC: In addition to Chatham field experiences, which are short-term summer study abroad programs led by Chatham faculty, there are three other program options: partner programs, exchange programs, and outside programs. These programs differ in how students apply and their program costs; students can take advantage of the option that best meets their needs. Partner programs are university-based study abroad programs, selected for their fit with Chatham academic programs and lower program cost; students apply directly to those programs. Students apply for Chatham exchange programs through the International Affairs office. Students participating in semester-long exchange programs pay their tuition to Chatham and can use their merit scholarships toward the program. For all other study abroad programs including partner programs, institutions abroad and study abroad providers, students will pay their tuition to the program and may use their Federal financial aid but not their Chatham merit scholarships.
study abroad spotlight
Bailee Yaros, Communications ‘23
Study Abroad Location: Seoul Women's University in
Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It's a residential area of Seoul about 20 miles away from the main city.
Study Abroad Highlight: Being able to immerse myself in a new culture. I didn't know very much about Korean culture before I went there, so being able to learn the language and customs in person was amazing. My Korean language skills were very poor when I first got there, but everyone was patient with me and helped me out with whatever English they knew. I was there for five months and in that time, I learned so much more than I ever expected to and my Korean is a lot better now.
Hardest Part: The most difficult part of the experience was adjusting to how different the culture was. It's one thing to read about it beforehand, but another to experience it. There were a lot of times I forgot to do something small, and I would feel so bad about it.
Most Interesting Part: One of the most interesting things was learning about Korea's history. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a few of their museums and they were all beautiful. Gyeongbokgung Palace in particular was amazing to be able to see in person.
COVID-19 Factor: Studying abroad during the pandemic was difficult, but Korea handled it very well, so it wasn't as stressful as it could have been. I had to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival, wear a mask everywhere, and then sign into every place I went, but that's the extent of it.
“Can you tell me a little bit about the financial resources available to Chatham students who are hoping to study abroad?”
KC: Every Chatham undergraduate student can receive a $1,200 study abroad voucher toward any credit bearing international experience, including Chatham programs and outside study and internship abroad programs. Students completing an International Studies certificate in one of five regions of the world can receive an additional $1,800 toward an international experience of 6 or more credits. Through the generous support of Chatham alumni and donors, students may apply for experiential learning scholarships including the Glenda Rich DeBroff Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Sally Mercke Heym Award for Cross Cultural Understanding, the Lorin Maazel-Rachel Carson Award for Environmental Field Studies and the Theo Colburn-Rachel Carson Endowed Scholarship for Environmental Field Studies. Students studying on semester long Chatham exchange or partner program may apply for a Benter Scholarship (up to $5,000) or an IFSA Scholarship (up to $4,250). In addition, there are numerous outside international scholarship opportunities that Chatham students may apply for including the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership, the Gilman International Scholarship, and many more. Learn more at the OIA Blog and study abroad scholarship page.
“Do I need to be fluent in the language of the country I want to study abroad in?”
KC: No, you do not need to be fluent in another language to study abroad. While there are programs taught entirely in the host country language, many study abroad programs offer courses in English and you can work on language skills while you are abroad. Students who are completing a minor in French, Spanish or German can take the upper level classes they need through our partner programs. It is also common for students to begin studying a new language while abroad or take continuing language courses equivalent to their level of proficiency. We are happy to help students find the right program for their language level.
“What are some resources you recommend for preparing to study abroad?”
KC: The U.S. State Department has an excellent guide for students and families with tips on study abroad planning, funding, and health and safety. Another good resource is Diversity Abroad, where students can read articles and destination guides to prepare for success abroad. A valid passport is required for international travel and students are advised to apply for their passport at least six months before they plan to travel. Our office holds information sessions to learn more about study abroad several times per semester (register for upcoming sessions on myChatham Happenings) and students are welcome to set up an appointment to discuss their goals and learn more about international experience and scholarship opportunities. Questions about study abroad can be directed to kchipman@chatham.edu or the Office of International Affairs, internationalaffairs@chatham.edu.
For more information about study abroad opportunities at Chatham, be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions website.