Spring Break
In study abroad, CSU turned down incentives
Other schools criticized for accepting kickbacks, paid trips; At CSU, some trips footed by companies
Erik Myers
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: News
While several universities are facing criticism for accepting kickbacks and free trips from study abroad companies vying for student dollars, CSU officials maintain its study abroad office has acted ethically and in the interest of students.
Those critical of the incentives reported in The New York Times say the perks severely limit students' options and ultimately inflate the cost of international study.
Cash bonuses, offers of expenses-paid travels to abroad sites and commissions for students enrolled in specific programs are among offers made by such groups, in exchange for exclusivity in the programs offered by a study abroad office.
Kara Bingham, director of study abroad at CSU, says the last time she had a trip paid for by an outside agency was in 2003, when she traveled to Granada, Spain to visit the Spanish Language and Culture program, paid for by International Studies Abroad.
In March, one advisor was sent to South Africa at the expense of a different company.
Bingham said there is nothing wrong with the practice, as it serves an important role in providing students the best possible study abroad experience.
"I think it would be unprofessional not to have advisors go over," Bingham said. "It's a matter of university accountability to actually have an understanding of the institution that students are going to."
"If a student asks me 'Where in France would you suggest I study engineering?' I can have a sense of what is it like on the ground, and I've a much better ability to explain to students what it's like," she added.
CSU's study abroad office offers 29 CSU-sponsored programs at universities, as well as 15 affiliates; companies with a wide range of locales and universities from which to choose.
The fight for student dollars
Bingham said she has turned down offers of incentives from many start-up, lesser-known study abroad companies in the past - offers similar to those being reported by The New York Times.
Those critical of the incentives reported in The New York Times say the perks severely limit students' options and ultimately inflate the cost of international study.
Cash bonuses, offers of expenses-paid travels to abroad sites and commissions for students enrolled in specific programs are among offers made by such groups, in exchange for exclusivity in the programs offered by a study abroad office.
Kara Bingham, director of study abroad at CSU, says the last time she had a trip paid for by an outside agency was in 2003, when she traveled to Granada, Spain to visit the Spanish Language and Culture program, paid for by International Studies Abroad.
In March, one advisor was sent to South Africa at the expense of a different company.
Bingham said there is nothing wrong with the practice, as it serves an important role in providing students the best possible study abroad experience.
"I think it would be unprofessional not to have advisors go over," Bingham said. "It's a matter of university accountability to actually have an understanding of the institution that students are going to."
"If a student asks me 'Where in France would you suggest I study engineering?' I can have a sense of what is it like on the ground, and I've a much better ability to explain to students what it's like," she added.
CSU's study abroad office offers 29 CSU-sponsored programs at universities, as well as 15 affiliates; companies with a wide range of locales and universities from which to choose.
The fight for student dollars
Bingham said she has turned down offers of incentives from many start-up, lesser-known study abroad companies in the past - offers similar to those being reported by The New York Times.
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