But by the end, she wished she could stay. Connie Perdreau, study abroad coordinator, said homesickness is one of the stages of adjustment. Max Margolis, who studied in Wales last year, said he fought it off with a positive attitude. Junior Holly Johnston is interested in making that experience. Perdreau said before students such as Johnston are accepted into a study abroad program, they are given an interview to determine if they are ready for the challenge.
Faculty make recommendations on how well students are suited for the experience.
Freshmen are discouraged from studying abroad because they are not yet adjusted to college, Perdreau said. Those with low grade-point averages also are discouraged from going. Consideration is given in the transfer of grades because the grading system abroad often makes it harder to get a high grade. But students must eventually decide for themselves if they are ready to go, Taylor said. She also said many students have trouble readjusting when they return.