At first glance, it might seem like Boston University administrators are trying to squeeze cash out of students who choose another university’s study abroad program. However, this fee may actually help to prevent more widespread credit transfer problems down the road.
On Sept. 1, a non-negotiable $500 dollar charge was added to the application process for students who choose other school’s study abroad programs. The money will go to funding a new position in the International Programs office aimed at helping students navigate the intricacies of credit transfers at BU.
The new position called an Assistant Director of the External International Programs Office, was specially designed to help students who are looking for more specific programs manage the pitfalls of BU’s notoriously confusing transfer credit policy. Students will now meet with a counselor before they jet off to foreign lands with students from other schools.
Although this fee is considerably steep, it seems like a small price to pay for the peace-of-mind of not having to worry about whether your credits will transfer upon your return to BU.
Imagine stepping back onto campus from non-BU affiliated program to Japan, only to be told that your trip was for naught and your credits are worth nothing. A $500 fee is a small price to pay compared to the thousands of tuition dollars lost in non-transferable credits.
Furthermore, BU Spokesman Colin Riley explained, “The fee is common to other universities and is comparable, if not less than other schools.” If this study abroad counselor does his or her job, then BU has actually found a way to ease the stress of studying abroad.
While another pricey fee added to the cost of studying abroad might discourage less ambitious student from choosing to wander outside the university for specialized programs, this fee will most likely not affect the informed student who wants to get the most bang for his or her buck.
However, the university should make a point about explaining the importance of this fee and follow up on the position’s usefulness in the coming semesters.
At BU, the study abroad program is a huge selling point for prospective students. The administration must make it a point not to deter students from their perfect study abroad experience because of a mysterious fee.