1. STUDY ABROAD
By Gracie Ferber

2. WHY STUDY ABROAD?
Enhance global perspective
Increase self-confidence and self-reliance
Gain a valuable advantage when applying for jobs
Earn academic credit
Form friendships with people around the globe
Become more culturally aware
Create unforgettable and irreplaceable memories

3. ELIGIBILITY
Any student; first year up to graduate student
Suggested GPA of 2.5-3.0
All majors welcome
Valid US passport
Want and will to go do it!

4. SALISBURY UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Salisbury Abroad
SU partner institution
4 weeks-full year
Fall, spring, summer
Taught by local professors
SU credit
SU Global Seminars
6-20 students lead by faculty member
2-4 weeks
Winter, summer, spring break
Taught by SU professor
SU credit

5. AFFILIATE PARTNERS
Student enrolls in international institution
3 weeks-full year
Fall, spring, summer, winter
Taught by local professors
Transfer credit
Costs vary depending on program
ISA, AIFS, API, USAC, GlobalLinksAbroad

6. COST & FINANCIAL AID
Most programs through Salisbury cost the same as tuition for a semester/year
All federal aid and SU aid is applied to programs abroad
Maryland financial aid is applied to Salisbury Abroad programs but not outside affiliate organizations
Affiliate Financial Aid
Additional study abroad scholarships
SU study Abroad Scholarship
Boren Scholarship
Gilman Scholarship

7. GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP
Aimed toward students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad and/or credit-bearing internships
Mission: to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries where they go
Strongly encourage students who:
Attend community college
Are from a diverse ethnic background
Are going to non-traditional countries
Are first-generation college students
Can receive up to $5000 to apply toward program costs
Including tuition, room and board, airfare, books, and local expenses

8. GILMAN ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate student at a 2 or 4 year university
Recipient of a Federal Pell Grant at time of application or during term abroad
Study or intern for a minimum of 4 weeks in one country
All majors welcome, but take a special interest in underrepresented areas in study abroad
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
To apply, complete the application at www.iie.org/gilman
Can also contact study abroad and financial aid advisors at home institution

9. COSTA RICA (“RICH COAST”)
Rich and unique culture
¡Pura Vida! - “Pure Life”
Sacred churches
No army
Relatively cheap, definitely affordable
Bordered by Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Nicaragua, and Panama
Only country to meet all five criteria established to measure environmental sustainability
One of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet
Ideal for biology majors
Interest in animals, nature, conservation, ecology

10. MY COSTA RICAN EXPERIENCE
Universidad Veritas
Took two biology courses toward my major
Tropical Ecology
Land Vertebrates of Costa Rica
Field Trips through the rainforest/sunrise hikes in lieu of lab
Saw plethora of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals
Took an art class toward my art minor
Mural Painting
Painted ecological mural at an orphanage
Restored public mural in the city
3 planned excursions through ISA
Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast

11. MY COSTA RICAN EXPERIENCE
Explored rich culture of San Jose/San Pedro
Church in Cartago
National Theatre and Central Park downtown
FIFA game - Costa Rica vs. Paraguay
Ate traditional meals including gallo pinto and plantains
Went white water rafting down Rio Pacuare
18 miles
4 hours
17 rapids class I-IV
Swam in hot springs and saw Arenal Volcano up close
Hiked for 3 hours to top of National Park overlooking Arenal Lake
Went zip lining on the longest zip line in Latin America
5216 feet across a valley
Went bungee jumping on the highest bungee in Latin America
500 feet into a valley

12. MY COSTA RICAN EXPERIENCE
Swam in natural swimming pools at the bottom of waterfalls
Rode waterfall slide in Uvita
Went on several sunset boat tours
Traveled to hostels on free weekends and slept in giant hammocks
Collected coconuts from palm trees and drank fresh coconut water
Went parasailing over the white sand beach in Manuel Antonio off the Pacific coast
Snorkeled at Tortuga Island off Pacific Coast and in Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Held sea star, examined puffer fish up close