Reports show that in order for neighborhoods to thrive well, there is a need to reduce the gap of education between the lower social-economic status students and the higher economic status students. Addressing the disparities in access between low-income students and their affluent peers is crucial to increasing student success and retention through study abroad programs and other high impact support programs.
Overview
This is important because it sheds the light to the education resources not readily available to low-income students for participating in such courses 1.e., access to financial aid, education counselors, books and other significant resources necessary to flourish in higher education. Thus, it helps higher education stakeholders to allocate funds to support marginalized and underrepresented students.
Study Abroad Programs
Many colleges and universities now emphasize courses and programs that help students explore cultures, life experiences, and worldviews different from their own. These studies—which may address US diversity, world cultures, or both—often explore “difficult differences” such as racial, ethnic, and gender inequality, or continuing struggles around the globe for human rights, freedom, and power. Frequently, intercultural studies are augmented by experiential learning in the community and/or by studying abroad (AACU, 2008). There is no doubt that minority White students fai] to participate in high impact practices like study abroad programs due to lack of financial resources and support.
