From service trips to presenting at academic conferences, St. Bonaventure offers many exciting learning opportunities for students.
One of the most popular study abroad programs offered at SBU is the Francis E. Kelley Oxford Program, which offers students the chance to live out a six-week experience at the prestigious Trinity College of Oxford University in England.
Not only are students able to take their required courses in historic buildings taught by a combination of Oxford and St. Bonaventure University professors, they also have the opportunity to experience the history, culture and sights of the old country. This experience comes with a substantial monetary cost. However, the cost has been reduced yet again.
A decrease in price from the summer of 2019 has taken the price from $6,750 to $6,500 for the summer of 2020. It has dropped approximately $1,500 from the $8,000 fee students had to pay six years ago.
The main reasons for the cost cut given by program director and lecturer at the Jandoli School of Communication, Michael Jones-Kelley, are “tighter management of the expenses of the program and always keeping a critical eye on the budget…greater participation…Finally, driven by the ongoing Brexit crisis in the United Kingdom, the British pound has fallen substantially, meaning that every expense on the other side of the Atlantic has come down.”
These contributing factors have loosened some of the monetary pressure for participating students and families. The program puts a large emphasis on making every dollar that families invest count. The $6,500 fee covers tuition, the majority of their meals (one being a classic meal of fish and chips as well as some being paired with fine wines) and admission fees for field trips to exciting destinations such as London, Stonehenge, the city of Bath and the Harry Potter Studios.
Chances for scholarships and financial aid are available. Some students can receive a $1,000 scholarship as well as financial aid, making this once-in-a-lifetime experience as feasible as possible.
Senior journalism major Teddy Caputo, who went on the trip in summer 2018, said, “I think it’s very good that the price continues to lower every year. The Oxford trip was one of the best and most influential experiences of my life. I encourage more people to go on this trip, and if the prices keep dropping, it will definitely encourage more kids to go.”
Students can find any more information on the St. Bonaventure website at sbu.edu/oxford in addition to attending any of the upcoming interest meetings.
By Faith Topolski, Staff Writer
topolsfl17@bonaventure.edu
