If you’ve ever considered studying abroad but dismissed the idea as impossible, Kate Logan, Trent’s Study Abroad advisor, is here to tell you to think again. 

“Many people wonder how they can do it,” says Ms. Logan. “They are worried that they won’t receive transfer credits, or that it will cost too much money, but Trent has programs in place to help students with these challenges.”

Ms. Logan’s remarks followed a standing-room only lecture on February 26 by Dr. David Butler, principal lecturer in Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), with which Trent has a long-established exchange program. Dr. Butler offered a U.K. perspective on gun crime, giving students a taste of what they might learn should they take their studies abroad.

According to Dr. Butler, NTU is one of the top international universities offering courses in ballistics and forensic photography. Participating Trent students have an opportunity to enhance their degrees with these courses, currently not offered by Trent. And for those who want more out of their year abroad than mere academics, he emphasized that Nottingham offers cultural attractions to rival any world-class city.

“It sounds expensive,” says Ms. Logan, “but students in the program pay their fees to Trent, meaning that they avoid costly international fees, and can continue to receive OSAP and other provincial funding, and if you’re on any scholarships you’ll still receive your scholarship, making the study abroad program not much more expensive than studying here at Trent, with the exception of travel expenses.”

And as for those additional costs, Trent has help for those too: “We have one of the top study abroad bursary programs in Ontario,” offers Ms. Logan. “In the 2014/15 year alone we gave out over $90,000 to students in the form of prizes, bursaries, and scholarships to help them study abroad. It is quite affordable,” she concludes, “and the benefits students come back with are priceless.”

Fourth-year Forensics student Taylor Potter agrees: “There is nothing better you will do as a student than going abroad. It is so much more than just an academic experience. Nottingham Trent University has a fantastic faculty and facilities, and you'll be bringing knowledge back with you that you wouldn't have gotten to learn had you stayed at Trent. Nottingham is a pretty cool city, and you'll have a great chance to explore a bit of Europe during your holidays as well.”

For more information about this and other exchange opportunities offered through Trent, please contact Kate Logan, Study Abroad Advisor, ‪at 705-748-1303 or katelogan@trentu.ca.