By Christopher Machnich

Students at CCSU now have more opportunities to study abroad than ever before.

Study abroad programs at CCSU have evolved to comply with the busy lives of college students. Studying abroad no longer means moving across the globe for months on end. Students are still able to learn in another country for a full semester, but CCSU also offers trips as short as ten days.

“The short programs were created to give those who have not traveled out of the country a more secure experience,” said Nancy Weissmann, coordinator of the exchange program at CCSU. “We offer a freshman trip to England where students don’t get credit, but are able to become accustomed to long distance travel and life in another part of the world.”

CCSU offers trips all over the world, and there are trips that complement all lifestyles. Whether you want to study Italian culture or go on a trek through the rain forest, there is something for everybody.

“I’d rather go to Peru and do something adventurous, than go to a city,” said Alex Trueb, who went to Peru for seventeen days in the summer of 2009.

Studying abroad also gives students an opportunity to earn college credits in an non traditional way.

“I took trips to Peru and Chile to finish my Spanish minor,” said Liz Benfield, CCSU ‘11.

Benfield plans to study abroad again during spring break, this time to Spain.

“The type of Spanish spoken in Spain is different than in South America. I want to learn the different types of Spanish around the world,” said Benfield.

There are very few places that CCSU students are not able to travel to.

“We’re able to send students pretty much anywhere, as long as there isn’t a travel advisory,” said Weissmann. “Several students have wanted to go to Israel, but because of the travel advisory have not been able to.”

There are a number of trips currently enrolling students, and those interested should go to the Center for International Education office located in room 123 in Henry Barnard Hall.