Graphic by Dalton Runberg / The Collegian

Fresno State offers a variety of ways to get involved with the university, and with the Study Abroad and International Exchange office, students are able to find programs to experience an education abroad and still acquire credits towards graduation.

Through the CSU International Program (IP), Fresno State sent out six students for the spring 2012 semester.

But, compared to other schools, Fresno State finishes 19 out of the 23 CSUs for the most students studying abroad using IP.

San Francisco State University sent out 130 students to study abroad for the spring 2012 semester, the most among CSUs.

“San Fran is a machine,” Dr. Shane Moreman, coordinator of the study abroad and international exchange, said. “First of all, they have more people in their office. Second of all, they have got it down, in fact some of the promotion efforts I am making are based upon San Francisco’s.”

Moreman, who not only recently took over the position as coordinator but is also the only person operating the office, is finding ways to open doors for students with financial need who want to study abroad.

Jesus Medina, an animal science major, is applying for the Boren Award to get financial help to send him to Brazil. However, the Boren Award requires students to fulfill a one-year service requirement with the National Security Education Program within three years of graduating. This commitment includes time with the CIA, Homeland Security, Department of Defense or Department of State.

Moreman is advising three other students for the Boren Award and says that Fresno State students have the advantage when it comes to applications because of the unique stories that the region presents.

“Having a diverse set of experiences is key to writing these applications and writing these essays, and our students have it, hands down,” Moreman said.

However, sometimes not every country is a possible location to continue education.

“The challenge with this is forming connections with the study abroad programs that they want to go to, and while we have a lot of study abroad programs, we don’t have a former relationship with one in Brazil,” Moreman said. “So Jesus had to figure out where he was going to go in Brazil, and it had to fit with what his interests in agriculture.”

Other awards, such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, give qualified students the financial ability to broaden their global horizon, both educationally and culturally.

Allisen Casares, a mass communication and journalism major, earned a Gilman Scholarship and used University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) to continue her education in Luneburg, Germany this spring.

“Studying abroad allows me to have a lot of different experiences since I’m away from my typical surroundings and am forced to develop a new routine,” Casares said. “One great thing about studying in Europe compared to being at Fresno State, or any American university, is that I’m near so many countries I’ve been reading about in history books since I was a child.”

Along with Casares, four other Fresno State students used USAC to study abroad this semester in China, Czech Republic, England and Ghana.

Moreman is continuing to find other programs, including government agencies to aid the costs for students.

Associated Students, Inc. granted the study abroad office $100,000 this semester to help students who want to study abroad, but do not have the financial capabilities to participate in such programs.

Moreman is finishing the guidelines for what determines who will get the financial aid for summer study abroad applicants.