Dear Editor,
I am a junior at UCSD, currently studying abroad in Padova, Italy.
A decision was recently made to close the Education Abroad Program study center in Padova at the end of June. I, along with the other UC students studying in Padova and the ladies who work in the study center, are very upset about this decision, and I feel it is news that should be presented to the UCSD community.
For starters, despite numerous suggestions made by the study center’s employees (including cutting their hours and two of the four staff members) the UC system has decided that the most ‘economically feasible’ option is to close the center altogether.
This decision was announced only after students had made deposits and arrangements to come to Padova next fall. Next fall, only one employee will work in the study center, and she will be entirely responsible for the work that four employees took on this year.
The students going to Padova in the fall have been deceived. They will pay the same amount that I am paying right now, but will receive almost none of the support or benefits of having a fully operational study center.
The study center is an integral part of the study-abroad experience. The ladies there help students with mundane tasks (such as telling us where we can find a hair straightener, or what a certain medicine might be called in Italian), to really important issues (psychological issues, transferring units and classes from the University of Padova to our home campuses and many more things).
One lady told us that a few years ago, a student was robbed on Christmas, and she drove an hour to pick her up and take her back to her house, give her some money and help her through that tough experience.
These ladies really care about us, and they make us feel more at home in a foreign country. It’s a good feeling to know that even though you are on your own in a foreign country, there is still someone looking out for you.
It is impossible for one woman to do all of this (plus organize accommodations, help with class schedules, explain the Italian university system, etc.) for 30 students.
There is more than just finances going into this decision.
The office space that the Padova study center uses is rent-free, as the office is owned by the University of Padova. Therefore, the University of California is only paying for four salaries (three of which are part-time).
Padova must be one of the more economically viable EAP programs as there is clearly no lack of interest in the program. Many UC students are coming to Padova in the fall, with Italian students going to UC campuses in their place.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me, or check out the Save the EAP Padova Center Facebook group.