Is Your Study Abroad Office Playing Dirty?

Chances are you or someone you know has studied, or plans to study abroad. It’s a great opportunity to experience a new culture, learn a language, and travel to places you’ve never been before. But according to New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo (he’s the head of all law enforcement for the state), your choice of programs may have more to do with benefits for your study abroad office members than for you and your friends.

Remember that financial aide scandal last year? Large universities usually hire external companies to deal with student loans, and it turned out that several of these companies were bribing colleges with gifts and rewards in return for directing students to them. They got busted for it, and schools were forced to give back the cash they received.

Apparently, many external Study Abroad companies are doing the same thing–offering incentives for colleges to send their students to a specific program. The 15 schools being investigated aren’t necessarily guilty, but they all have ties to external study abroad providers, and are being asked to disclose their info.

What does this mean for you? Well, it can mean a higher price for your study abroad experience, and less options for locations and classes. If your college is one of the 15 targeted by Cuomo’s investigation*, talk to friends who have already gone through the program before you commit. Research other options–sometimes you can participate in a program through a different college (it just might take a bit more paperwork). If it seems worth it, and you don’t have to take out a zillion dollars in loans to participate, then go for it!

*Harvard, Columbia, Northwestern, American, Brown, Brandeis, Fordham, Alfred State, Alfred University, Manhattanville College, Hobart and William Smith, Pace, Cornell, Siena, and the College of New Rochelle