An online student guide to Oregon State University Global Opportunities
As an online student, it is easy to feel that traditional on-campus student experiences are simply out of reach. Attending a faculty-led trip to Puerto Rico challenged that perception for me.
I first learned about the study abroad opportunity through an email sent to Oregon State’s agriculture department undergraduate student mailing list. The email explained the application window was opening for the annual spring break community engagement trip to Puerto Rico.
I was excited about the opportunity to participate, but unsure if it would be realistic. Looking back, I am so glad I wrote a note to discuss the opportunity with my academic advisor.
She was enthusiastic and connected me with the trip leader. She also showed me the OSU Global Opportunities website. Then, I attended an online information session that included details on cost, logistics, general itinerary, topics of focus and application instructions.
After that meeting, I spent a few hours filling out the application, including a reflection on my reasons for wanting to attend the trip, general student information and adding a reference. I also scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss my needs as an OSU Ecampus student with specific dietary requirements. (I do not eat gluten.)
“Immersing myself in the communities and landscapes of Puerto Rico allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the resilience and complexity of life on the island and expand my worldview in ways I didn’t anticipate and won’t forget.”
I was nervous that these factors might be barriers that would prevent me from attending the trip. However, the trip leaders were excited to engage with Ecampus students and more than happy to accommodate individual needs.
After three pre-trip online meetings, spring break arrived, and I was headed to Puerto Rico.
Our group of 24 students (including three Ecampus students) and three faculty members engaged with communities on the west side of Puerto Rico throughout the weeklong trip. The trip activities focused on agriculture and community health through an island resiliency lens.
We restored mangrove forests in Isabela, cleaned up biowaste on a beach in La Puente and toured a cutting-edge community health clinic and hospital. At the end of each day, we reflected on our shared experiences over dinner and through journaling.
Immersing myself in the communities and landscapes of Puerto Rico allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the resilience and complexity of life on the island and expand my worldview in ways I didn’t anticipate and won’t forget.
Some of the most meaningful moments were small, such as riding in the van and striking up conversations about classes, future plans and the shared experience of being a college student. As an online learner, I am the only person in my immediate social circle currently in college. To hear the triumphs and challenges of other students helped me feel more deeply connected to the broader OSU community.
I returned from the trip with a renewed sense of purpose in my studies and a feeling of connection and community I did not have before.
What you should know about study abroad opportunities for online students
The barriers to attending study abroad opportunities for online students are real. The cost, time, logistics and other uncertainties can make the trip unfeasible for some students.
However, the faculty leading the trip I attended were excited about the unique perspective online students bring to the table and encouraged participation in the trip. They were happy to accommodate unique student situations to ensure that students could successfully attend.
The ability to earn course credit through this experience, and the flexibility of time frames for each trip (from one week up to several months) were other benefits I did not know about before researching OSU Global Opportunities.
The faculty also recognized that finances are a major barrier for students interested in study abroad opportunities. I learned through this experience that financial aid can be applied to portions of trip expenses, such as tuition and fees.
Additionally, the faculty who led my trip were very conscientious about cost, including finding grant funding and scholarship opportunities for students.
I would encourage other Ecampus students interested in a similar faculty-led or study abroad experience to pursue investigating your options. The process is more accessible than it may first appear.
Here are a few places to start
- Reach out to your academic advisor. Mine provided opportunities available within my college and connected me to the trip leaders.
- Attend an informational session. Choose one that matches your area of interest. For example, the College of Agricultural Sciences periodically hosts Ecampus student information sessions.
- Research OSU Global Opportunities. Its website enables you to filter programs by length, type, college and other criteria.
- Reach out to your student success coach. You’ll be connected with additional resources that could help.
Kari Shippen is a student in Oregon State University’s online agricultural sciences bachelor’s program. Discover how Kari and other members of the Ecampus Student Advisory Board impact the online student experience at Oregon State University, and read about eligibility and participation requirements.
