Los Medanos College students will have an opportunity to earn college credits in the London in the fall. The Northern California Study Abroad Consortium has partnered with the American Institute of Foreign Study for 30 years to enable students to explore other cultures while continuing their academic studies.

Students usually enroll in four classes to give them plenty of time to learn about the British culture through firsthand experiences. Students can enroll in classes offered by the Contra Costa Community College, San Mateo County Community College, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Los Rios Community College District — all participants in the consortium. Although science and math classes are not offered, the options available are diverse and include a “Magic, Witchcraft and Religion” course for people interested.

Everyone is required to take the “British Life and Culture” class plus three others, which consists of transferable general education classes like English, anthropology, business and history. The Study Abroad Program’s English Instructor Lisa Orta said, “We structure it that way so you can actually participate and pay the contra costa tuition rate which makes the study abroad program a lot more affordable.”  

“You want to sit down with your counselor and revise your ed. plan.” Orta said. This should not be difficult because all the classes are transfer level and students may only have to change their predetermined courses for summer of 2018 and spring of 2019.  

Students will depart from San Francisco Thursday, Sept. 6 and arrive in London Friday, Sept. 7. There will be a mid-semester break from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26. Students return from London Friday, Dec. 7. The shared homestay entails that students stay with an English family that has housed students studying abroad in the past.  

Shared homestay will cost $8,595 per person and the shared apartment will cost $9,995, which includes the enrollment deposit, balance of fees and damage deposit. Students will have to bring additional funds for food, airfare, and optional trips.

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available to cover the cost. It is crucial that students speak with their counselor as soon as possible to acquire any additional benefits.

According to research by the International Institute of Education, the “average cost of studying abroad in a foreign country hovers around $18,000 per semester.”  Fees per person can vary depending if you choose to stay in a shared homestay or a shared apartment with a roommate. 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the first financial aid program students should contact and other of scholarship opportunities have deadlines soon. A refundable damage deposit is required and is incorporated in both housing options. All students must submit the $450 deposit and tour deposits when completing the online enrollment form.   

Wi-fi is accessible and students will be able to take advantage of a London Transport pass, which is valid for unlimited access on underground trains and buses designated for travel zones. Field trips are included with some of the courses available but there is also an optional four-day trip to Scotland that comes with round trip transportation.  

Opportunities to learn outside the classroom are plentiful, because most museums in London are subsidized or discounted and homework assignments may include experiencing different educational attractions firsthand.