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Question : What's the difference between traveling with my friends and going on the SCSU British Studies program?
Answer: There are planned field trips that are included in the cost of the program, including overnight trips to Edinburgh and several days in London. On these field trips you are more than sight-seeing, you are are exploring another culture that you are learning about in your classes. The fall and spring programs organize home stays with local families in Alnwick, making it possible for you to get to know people outside of the program. Travel is easy to plan into the program. There are 3 weeks of travel breaks planned into the fall and springsemesters and one week of travel during the summer semester, when you can travel with other students in the program. You have a home base for traveling...Alnwick Castle.
Question: Where will I live?
Answer: Alnwick Castle will be your living quarters. Our living space includes a dining hall and a student kitchen. Meals are provided during your time at the castle as part of the program fee, except on travels breaks and on weekends when many students are also traveling. Check out the video students created for the BBC about living in the castle.
Question: Do I need a lot of extra money for traveling?
Answer: Planned field trips are included in the cost of the program. In many other study abroad programs you would need to plan and pay for these trips yourself. Any extra traveling beyond the field trips you will need to pay for yourself. You will be paying for travel in British pounds or in Euros. The faculty and staff can provide some help with your travel plans.
Question: Can I afford to study abroad?
Answer: Most budget travel/tour packages for 2 weeks in England that you could buy are around $2,000, without airfare.The SCSU British Studies program includes airfare and 16 weeks of living in the castle for fall and spring semester or 10 weeks during the summer. The program fee includes most meals and the cost of field trips, including a 4 night field trip in London. The SCSU British Studies Program is 5-8 times as long as a 2 week travel/tour package. Advance planning, saving, family support (such as birthdays and holiday gifts), work study, financial aid and loans are some of the strategies of students have used to pay for the Alnwick program. The amount for financial aid you qualify for increases when you study abroad. Scholarships are available. Contact the Center for International Studies for more information.
Question: Would study abroad look good on my resume?
Answer: Employers are looking for employees who have experience living or working abroad. A 2003 study by the Rand Corporation listed "strategic international understanding" and "cross-cultural experience" as some of the most important skills they look for in employees. Studying abroad in the SCSU British Studies program makes it easy to develop these skills. Travel abroad on your own or with friends is a distant fourth in improving these skills.
Question: Will I be able to graduate on time?
Answer: It is possible to study abroad and graduate on time. Early planning is the key to integrating study abroad courses into your academic plan. Check out what SCSU requirements the courses offered fulfill for your academic plan. Courses offered in the program can fulfill General Education or University graduations requirements, or count as university electives. Contact the Academic Director for the semester you are interested in going to Alnwick to answer specific questions about course offerings for a specific semester. Be sure to talk to an your major advisor if you have any questions. Remember, you need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, with at least 45 credits numbered 3xx/4xx .
Question: Is the SCSU British Studies program run by experienced people?
Answer: The SCSU British Studies program is over 25 years old. British faculty and local staff plan field trips. SCSU faculty and staff have experience working with the Duke and the Alnwick community, as well as in Britain.
Updated June 30, 2009