Fundamental Funding Failures by Robin

Fundamental Funding Failures by Robin - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity for college students that can expand their knowledge of other cultures. Many students jump at the opportunity to see another country and meet new people. Visiting other places increases peoples' understanding of each other and creates bonds. However, I do not believe college students should be required to go abroad. Students should be given the opportunity to study abroad but traveling should not be a requirement for graduation because there are many people who do not have adequate funding or necessary means to travel for extended periods of time.
College tuition is expensive enough without planning for a trip across the globe. Although there are multiple ways in which one can get scholarship money, but hunting for scholarships normally has to fit in between a job and normal school work. That does not leave much time for fundraising or searching for other scholarships in order to pay for the travel fees and boarding. If someone comes from a lower income family, it will be difficult for them to raise money. Even if the school were to help pay for people in a certain tax bracket, they cannot help pay for many and such a requirement could deter lower income students from continuing their education. Without a diverse group of students, the gap in the social classes can only grow if the young generation cannot afford a higher level of education.
If studying abroad became a requirement for college graduation, there would be less students with lower income. Their chances would shrink in achieving their goals and the minority of the upper class dominate the classrooms when it should be attempting to serve everyone or at least the majority. Colleges should keep the option open for studying abroad but schools should perfect their teaching on home ground. The option should still be available for those who wish to take the it, but it should not be a necessity in order to graduate with a degree.