Financial Analysis
My Dream . . .
Ever since I was a child I have wanted to go to Europe. Out of all the places in the world, it has held the most fascination for me because it is where my ancestors came from. I am an English major with a minor in writing and French, so the appeal of France, since it has always been famous for its arts, has always been strong.
I would love to study abroad in France next year. This will enable me to become fluent in the language, which will fulfill my minor and aid my future career options. It will also allow me to take some amazing literature and writing classes that are not available to me here at Oregon State. I will get to study American literature from an outside perspective, British literature, and French literature if I go to France. I will also be able to take fiction writing classes which will allow me to see the cultural writing of the French. This opportunity would be amazing for me personally, educationally, and professionally.
Poitiers, France . . .
France○Wikipedia
The program I hope to attend is in Poitiers, France. I will attend the Université de Poitiers. “The Poitiers program is ideal for students in a variety of majors who have a solid base in French language and are hoping to experience cultural immersion in the French context. The yearlong Poitiers exchange program is a unique opportunity for students to improve their French proficiency and expand their academic training in general-education, major and minor courses within a French university. The language of instruction is French” (Oregonabroad.ous.edu).
Poitiers, France○oregonabroad.ous.edu
The Université de Poitiers was established in 1431, and is the second oldest university in France (Oregonabroad.ous.edu). “Highly regarded within France, the University of Poitiers provides 24,500 students a full range of top quality courses in Science, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy and Medicine, Engineering, Law, Economics, and Management. Poitiers provides a student friendly environment with the highest per capita student population of any city in France” (Oregonabroad.ous.edu). For the first semester, I will be taking mostly French intensive courses at the Centre de Français Langue Étrangère (CFLE). The second semester is when I will be able to take some amazing literature classes, such as The devil in Literature, and a class which focuses on J.K. Rowling, and C.S. Lewis.
How Others Have Accomplished Studying Abroad. . .
Others who have been in my shoes have accomplished the same dream by working with the International Study Abroad Department here at Oregon State. Through this department, students can register for the program in which they wish to attend and if accepted, get all of their information. Once accepted, students have to apply for a passport (if they do not already have one) and a visa to the country they need to attend. Also, students need to get any required vaccinations, and get their birth certificate translated for the country they wish to attend. They also have to work with their academic advisors to schedule classes through the study abroad school they wish to attend. Basically though, if you go to the Study Abroad office in Snell (4th floor) they will give you any information you need to know, and give you a time line of articles to be submitted.
I am in the middle of the first step, which is applying to the program. I had to write three essays and fill out two applications, one for Oregon State, and one through the OUS (Oregon University System) program in which I am applying to. I needed to references for this application as well. After my application is completed, I will be scheduled for an interview as soon as possible, most likely with my study abroad advisor, who has been a god send to me while I debated where, when, and how long to go. Talking to an advisor who has been to the place you are signing up to go to, and who knows everything there is to know about your program really helps. I would recommend anyone who is thinking of studying abroad to go speak with an advisor.
Barriers and Support . . .
There are two things that might hold me back from studying abroad in Poitiers, France. One, is the fact that I have to have two years of French completed through my University. I have, as of now, one term. But I am working with my French instructor (who is amazing by the way) to take two of the classes in one term (next term) and then move onto the year two classes in the summer. So if all goes well, I shouldn’t have a problem in that department.
The second thing that might hold me back is financing. So far I have managed to make it through college without taking out any loans. This will most likely change when I go abroad. There isn’t much of a difference in expenses in terms of tuition and room and board, but the personal expenses, such as a plane ticket, and entertainment (traveling, dining, souvenirs) expenses, will be the thing I will struggle getting funding for.
Luckily, there are many scholarships for study abroad students. These vary depending on a person’s background, and the program they are applying for, but all information is available through the Finances and Scholarships website through International Programs. Some of the scholarships I am eligible for include the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the OUS Chancellor’s Award, the Nicodemus Study Abroad Scholarship and a few others. Also, the Finances and Scholarships page includes additional websites and resources to look for additional aid. Oregon State will also adjust your aid package to accommodate your study abroad expenses.
Also, OSU works with your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) results to help accommodate the differences in budgets between attending school abroad versus on your home campus. They will adjust what the American government has offered you, whether it be loans, grants, or scholarships, to hopefully make up the difference.
Comparing Options…
In order to fully prepare for this adventure, I researched many of my options. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to go to France, but I wanted to see which one would be best for me. I narrowed down my options to Angers, France, and Poitiers, France. Both had amazing programs, but what it really came down to was the costs of each. I’ve included a spreadsheet of the costs for each program:
Poitiers |
Angers |
|||
| Programs operation fee | 7,500 | Fall Semester | 15,570 | |
| Lodging/meals | 9,261 | Spring Semester | 15,570 | |
| program incidentals | 2,503 | |||
| Costs paid to OSU | 1,400 | |||
| Personal expenses: | ||||
| Travel to France | 1,500 | |||
| Books/supplies | 224 | |||
| Clothing/laundry/cleaning | 560 | |||
| Transportation | 266 | |||
| Recreation | 5,600 | |||
| Passport/fees & travel to Consulate | 650 | |||
| TOTAL | 29,464 | TOTAL | 31,140 |
Both cities are different programs through OSU, so their information is different. Poitiers listed expenses very precisely compared to Angers. Both programs seem to be close to the same amount of money to attend, but through Poitiers, I will get the $9,261.00 for lodging and meals deposited into a French bank account to use as I choose (an apartment, residence hall, host family, groceries, ect). With Angers, I would never see the money paid to lodging and meals because it would go directly to my host family (I am required to live with a host family while there). So really, in the end, Poitiers only costs $20,203.00, which is a lot better than $31,140.00 for Angers. This pretty much made my decision for me.
Savings…
I have considered many different options to afford going abroad in France. Taking out loans is the reality, but applying for scholarships is a must. Hopefully, I will be awarded a little bit of money to help cover the costs of studying abroad. Also, I plan on saving as much money as I can so I won’t have to take out as many loans. I have included a chart of my income and my expenses for a year to compare what I am spending, to what I am saving. In addition, if I save $100.00 out of my paycheck every month instead of spending it, than I will have $1,200.00 extra savings in a year than what is shown below. This money will hopefully pay for a good majority of my personal expenses shown above so I will not have to take out as many loans.
Expenses/income |
Monthly |
Yearly |
| Auto: Fuel | 30.00 | 360.00 |
| Food: Groceries | 216.00 | 2,592.00 |
| Utilities/Room and Board | 312.00 | 3,744.00 |
| Phone/cellphone | – | – |
| Entertainment | 100.00 | 1,200.00 |
| Food: Eating Out | 50.00 | 600.00 |
| Clothing | 50.00 | 600.00 |
| Personal Care | 30.00 | 360.00 |
| Auto: Maintenance | – | – |
| Tuition | 587.00 | 7,044.00 |
| Books | 75.00 | 900.00 |
| Wages | 622.00 | 7,464.00 |
| Tips | – | – |
| Parents | 50.00 | 600.00 |
| Financial Aid Loans | – | – |
| Scholarships, grants | 996.00 | 11,952.00 |
| Savings | 1,961.00 | |
TOTAL Expenses |
1,450.00 |
17,400.00 |
TOTAL Income |
1,668.00 |
20,016.00 |
DIFFERENCE |
218.00 |
2,616.00 |
samanthablann 