TOP 10 REASONS NOT TO GO TO BARBADOS THIS SUMMER Wait, Are You CRAZY??? 10.

I Dont Want to Go to A Third World Country. Im Scared!

There is a reasonable worry about crime against tourists and widespread poverty when you visit many Latin American countries. This shouldnt keep you from visiting them and expanding your horizons, but these are not worries that you need to have about Barbados. Barbados is the most prosperous and stable Caribbean country in terms of it politics, social order, and economy. We will explore the reasons for this in the classes that you will take.

9. Ive Never Been Out of the Country.

This is great! Why not make your first trip to Barbados? The truth is that once you get out of college, it will be much more expensive and unlikely that you will ever travel out of the country. That is why study abroad trips are such an important part of the college experience.

8. I Cant Swim.
Although Barbados has a number of beautiful beaches, they arent the only things that the country has to offer. It is a country with a rich culture and history. There are unique festivals, restaurants, art galleries, museums, theaters, biological gardens, caves, etc. We will visit many of them while were there!

7. I Dont Speak Another Language.

Thats perfectly fine because they speak English in Barbados! Unlike most of the other study abroad opportunities, learning a new language will NOT be a part of this one.

6. I Dont Have a Passport.

This is OK. The passport process usually takes about 2-3 months to complete. The application deadline for the Barbados trip is February 15. You will have from then until we leave on May 25 to get your passport. I will post links and information about the passport process on the Facebook page for the trip as we move forward.

5. Im Not An African-American Studies Minor.

That is perfectly fine. Although this trip is sponsored by the AAST Program, it is open to all students. Both courses will compare African-Americans to Afro-Caribbeans, but while knowledge of African-American history and culture will be helpful, it is not required. Neither course has prerequisites.

4. I Dont Really Care About Caribbean History.

That is fine. If nothing else, these courses will teach you a lot of new information, while giving you the opportunity to have a wonderful study abroad experience. Where else can you earn 6 credits in 3 weeks? You might also discover a new interest by the time the program ends.

3. I Dont Want to Take Classes While Im On Vacation.

If you can afford to visit Barbados without this Study Abroad program, then by all means, please do it. However, you might find yourself doing a lot of the same things that we will be doing without earning any of the credits. We will live on the campus of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, but we will not be sitting in a classroom all day. A typical day will include classes for a couple of hours in the morning, site visits in the afternoon, and cultural experiences at night. We will visit many of the most popular tourist sites, but we will look at them from a

different perspective. Instead of quizzes and tests, your assignments will be journals about your experiences and a final paper comparing aspects of American and Caribbean history and culture based on what youve studied AND what youve experienced.

2. I Dont Have Time In My Schedule. I Have to Focus On Real Courses.

These courses count toward your Humanities requirements, the African-American Studies minor, and the study abroad requirement for the International Studies minor. Also, keep in mind that every student needs 122 credits to graduate. Unless you havent been the best planner, it is unlikely that you will need ALL of your remaining credits for your major courses. This trip will offer you the opportunity to fulfill some requirements, get 6 credits closer to graduating, learn lots of new things, and have an amazing study abroad experience, all during 3 weeks in the early summer.

1. I DONT HAVE THE MONEY!

Please dont let this stop you from applying! This trip will cost $2,250 plus tuition for the two courses, which will equal approximately $2,450.

FINANCIAL AID: Since the courses are registered during Maymester, you can apply for summer financial aid to cover the tuition. The financial aid deadline for the summer sessions is May 1. You need to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you are already receiving financial aid this Spring, you need to let the financial aid office know that you interested in taking courses during the Summer. They will let you know what to do. Any grant or loan money that you receive in excess of the tuition amount can be applied to the program fee. SCHOLARSHIPS: There are currently two scholarships being offered on campus to cover the costs of study abroad programs: o The Center for International Education (CIE) Scholarship They offer students up to $1,500 based on financial need and academic merit. They require a personal statement and 2 letters of recommendation from faculty. The deadline is February 27. http://international.cofc.edu/study-abroad/scholarships.php o The School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs (LCWA) They require a short personal statement and no recommendations. The award amount varies. The deadline is February 27. http://lcwa.cofc.edu/scholarships/index.php FUNDRAISERS: After the application deadline, students who need additional money to cover the costs of the trip will plan several group fundraisers with the Program Director. The proceeds from each fundraiser will be split evenly among the students that participate.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS: YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE CRAZY TO PASS UP THIS OPPORTUNITY! STOP THINKING UP EXCUSES AND APPLY TODAY! http://international.cofc.edu/study-abroad/forms.php. If you have any questions, contact the Program Director: Professor Roneka Matheny - mathenyr@cofc.edu.