Spring term abroad (STA) scares me, though not the actual part of going to a foreign country and studying there. I went to France last spring term and had a lovely (if sometimes stressful) time exploring Paris and Toulouse. However, that was when I was a wide-eyed freshman, not thinking much about major requirements and FDRs. Now that the reality of how short my time at Washington and Lee will be has hit me, I find myself wandering less and less in the direction of STA.

I’m a journalism major, and this spring term, the department is putting on a trip so wonderful that I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t want to go. In fact, it is my own advisor, Professor Toni Locy, who is leading the expedition to Barbados to study climate change reporting. The four weeks on the beach are sure to be a great vacation-education experience.

But I didn’t apply to Locy’s trip. In fact, I didn’t apply to any STA trip. Even though I loved my time in France last year and would like to study more of the French language in a French-speaking country, I don’t feel like I can.

Last year, I felt a lot of pressure to apply to spring term abroad classes. Everyone said that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that it could prepare me for other semester or year-long abroad programs. However, once the time came to actually get on the plane, I was feeling regretful. It would be my first time with a host family and my first time having to find my own way in a foreign country. All while my friends were having the time of their lives, enjoying Lexington in the spring and getting pesky physical education classes out of the way.

At the time, it felt like studying abroad was my only option. However, this academic year, I feel like it isn’t an option. I need to get FDRs out of the way, and spring term abroad is expensive. Lab sciences are perfect to get done in the spring, as are physical education classes. At this point in my academic career, spring term abroad would be a waste.

However, the allure of spring term abroad is still calling to me. From Barbados to France, I get a little jealous when people tell me where they applied. The great rush of seeing who got in where is something that I miss from last year.

I would have applied, I think, if I knew what my other options were. Professor Steve Cross told me that he may be hosting a course on radio journalism, which is my preferred career path. Even though it isn’t a required course, I would forsake all FDRs to get a taste of what I have always wanted.

Nothing is set in stone yet, though.

There is a Sociology/Anthropology course that would fulfill a requirement for both my journalism major and my law, justice and society minor. While it is not being taught this winter, I know that it is sometimes taught in the spring. Taking that this spring term would go a long way in making sure I graduate on time.

Nothing is set in stone yet, though.

Last year, I heard that some professors sometimes teach a course on forensic science during the spring. That course would fulfill my lab science course and maybe give me some insight into the field that I could use in the future when covering court cases. I would love to take that class next spring term.

Nothing is set in stone yet, though.

That is my problem. How can I know if I want to go abroad this spring if I don’t know what all of the options are? I absolutely hate being asked to choose when I don’t know what all of the options are. By not applying to STA, I have locked in a decision that I can’t change. And I won’t know if I made the right decision until next year.

While I understand that planning courses in other countries far in advance is necessary, a part of me can’t help but feel like this could all be handled better.

I don’t mean to sound callous, but how much extra work would it be on professors’ shoulders if they could just plan and release all spring term abroad courses in the winter? Even if that does add to their workload, it would at least be better for the students who have to choose their classes.