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How You Can Help OSU Students!
Approximately 45 percent of Americans own a passport and yet less than 10% of college students study abroad each year. With passport application processing times up to two months, a passport can be the deciding factor on whether or not a student can study abroad. The OSU Center for Global Learning team (a.k.a. Study Abroad) is hoping that with your help, we can fully reimburse ANY student for the costs of their first passports. Each year going forward we hope that we can fully fund 30 or more OSU students for their first passports to aid them on their study abroad journey and for their future post-graduation international travel opportunities.
Why is Having a Passport Critical?
Our economy is increasingly global. Traveling to foreign countries is critical to help Americans understand the world and their place in it. As author Mark Patterson wrote, “The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences”. Having a passport can also be a key to better job opportunities as businesses worldwide are putting more emphasis on international experience. In a recent survey, 800 executives at U.S. companies emphasized the need for a continued international business education in the U.S., with an emphasis on intercultural communication, foreign language skills, and international experience. And for those of you who have been fortunate to study abroad, I'm sure you will agree that there is nothing quite like the sights, sounds, smells, and conversations of a foreign land to help round out an education. It’s the kind of hands-on learning that is impossible to absorb through books, videos, or even computers. You just have to go!
Who We Are and What We Do?
The Center for Global Learning is a student's one-stop shop to learn all about the hundreds of options that exist for OSU students to study abroad, intern abroad, or even a domestic exchange. There is a program for every student and our long-term goal is to get 3,000 students abroad each year. Many of our programs are actually less expensive than a similar term in Stillwater, but often our students and their families struggle with some of the ancillary costs of studying abroad including airfare, passports, and international health insurance. Through study abroad scholarships and grants like the Gerry Auel Passport Grant we hope to help those students and families by partially, or even fully, covering those additional costs so that study abroad isn't a financial burden and is available to any OSU student who wishes to experience life in a different country. Through the support of people like you, our students will get the chance to have life-changing experiences, create global networks, and enhance their employment opportunities through global learning and global internships.
We appreciate your consideration!
Go Pokes! Go Abroad!
Gifts to this project through the OSU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible as allowed by law. If you have questions about your gift, please contact the OSU Foundation at 800.622.4678.
All these fee's certainly add up! A donation at this level covers the cost of the passport application processing fee! Thanks!
You rock! You've enabled a student to receive a passport book. You'll receive a thank you note or postcard from a student for your amazing donation!
You are amazing! You've funded 4 passports for OSU students! Be on the lookout for multiple thank you notes and/or postcards from OSU students and a t-shirt! Thank you!
If someone is nice enough to fully fund our grant, in addition to thank you notes and a t-shirt, you will also be invited to our annual Study Abroad Day appreciation breakfast in late September where you will be recognized by our Director.