Going away to Europe to learn about art is a young girl’s dream. Bakersfield College student Erica Grall says she has wakened from her dream to find it a reality. Grall is one of only 20 art history majors in the state of California to be accepted to the Cal State University International Program in Florence, Italy.
“Someone once told me about seeing the world through school,” said Grall of her desire to enter the study abroad program, “It’s been a goal and a dream to do this ever since.” By being admitted to a CSU while still a community college student, it qualified her for the program.
The application is “really generalized,” according to Grall, and grade point average plays a big factor in the selection process. After the application and essay, Grall said she had an interview with a representative for the program at CSUB. According to Grall, the first question asked at the interview was “Why do you want to study abroad?,” to which Grall answered, “Why wouldn’t I?”
The application is based mainly on GPA, and Grall emphasized that hers would not have been as good if she had not gone to BC, “because the teachers really care, and they helped me get my GPA up.”
Grall explained that students can apply any time during the year for the program, but the deadline for the following spring semester is Feb. 1 of the same year. She chuckles after saying this and says, “I applied Jan. 31 at 10 p.m.”
Grall leaves Aug. 29, and will be put into an accelerated Italian language and culture class three days after she arrives. Grall will be staying in a hotel for the first seven days, and “within that time they have agencies to help you get an apartment.”
She looks forward to a busy year and plans on taking at least 15 units a semester while she is studying.
She plans on taking three courses in her major, and two in Italian language.
Grall hopes to be an ambassador for American culture while abroad and also for the international program once she returns. “I want to show people back home that there is a world out there. I want to show the others who think they didn’t have an opportunity that they do.”
According to the California State University International Programs estimate, the total cost estimate for the student is approximately $16,286.
Even though she will be collecting financial aid, she says that she is looking for sponsors “to help out with activities, state fees, etc.” Working is not allowed while studying abroad, because she will be staying in Europe on a student visa.
The CSU study abroad program is not limited to art history majors, or Florence. For more information, go to www.calstate.edu/ip.
Grall encourages those who are interested in learning more about her experiences with the program thus far, as well as those who wish to sponsor her, to contact her at dogssrgtsmokey@ hotmail.com.