Study Abroad Meetings at Eugene Lang Change to Group-.2

   Eugene Lang College Campus- New York City- The Study Abroad office sent out an email February 12th announcing the beginning of group meetings in place of individual meetings to discuss any questions that students may have about study abroad for any time from summer 2010 to spring 2011.  This change has risen some anxiety in the student body about the amount of support they are receiving from the study abroad office.

            Because Study Abroad is so specific to individual needs, this new form of meeting is new in the Eugene Lang community.  Previously meetings had been planned individually through email.  Study abroad advisor Kimberly is also the junior class’ Academic Advisor.  She said that the change is intended to “handle the volume [of students] who want to study abroad.”  She added that: “many students have the same questions in regards to study abroad.”  Many of the questions people ask in the meetings, they can find through other sources.  However, Kimberly insists that the meetings are important for the students to hear what they may be reading on websites.  "I'm the same way" Ms. Foote said that she intends to “voice [their answers] so they stick.”

The spring semester is the time of year when many students begin to make study abroad plans.    

            Though the change is helpful for Kimberly full schedule, some students may find it disconcerting.  The study abroad process for a student at Eugene Lang is done mostly independently.  Anna, 19, an Urban Studies sophomore at Eugene Lang who was thinking about studying abroad in the fall 2010 semester said that the study abroad process is “just as independent as everything else at Lang.” Eugene Lang is known for its motivated and independent student body.  Though, many of the students still feel as though they need direction and support,  Anna added: “Sometimes it’s nice to have someone helping you.” 

Eugene Lang does not offer much support for students when comparing its Study Abroad office with those of other liberal arts colleges.  Sophomore at Weslyan University, Carina, 20, did not think that group meetings would be helpful.  “[Weslyan has] an office devoted to study abroad with two directors, one advisor and four students, all of whose job it is to help you with questions” Carina said.  As a student planning to study abroad in France next year she added that she had her own personal questions, and came into their open office hours “a handful of times.”  To have her those questions answered.

Though there are only about 900 students enrolled at Eugene Lang College and Weslyan University has about 2,700, there are certain questions that students feel they need to ask individually.  Almost 50% of Weslyan students study abroad.  While the number of Weslyan students who study abroad are much more than that of Eugene Lang, the individual attention is important and could decrees the number of Lang students’ motivated to study abroad. 

With the support of the students in the meetings the change could encourage more questions and more answers.  This idea could be influential to both the school’s reputation as supporting independent and critical thinkers.  In response to the group meetings Anna said that, “[the other students] may ask questions you didn’t think of.”