Is it wrong to *require* study abroad to get a college degree?

[friesianrider]

So I'm almost finished my degree, in Global Studies (it's like international relations but with a stronger focus on world literature and history). This is a new major to my college, and I attended the very first meeting they held when they first considered bringing it to my college. I immediately joined up - this was about a year and a half ago. Last semester, I learned that they are now requiring ALL students in the major to study abroad for a minimum of 2 weeks to get their degree. When I was at that original meeting, I never heard about this, and it was never mentioned. I checked today what study abroads they have for the spring semester. The cheapest one is to the Netherlands, and is $9,000 for one month.

Now, this major is new, so we've only had one person graduate. It was an adult student who was a TOTAL Freeper. He got out of study abroad because he was a "Vietnam vet." Meanwhile, I did a foreign exchange in high school where I was in London and Cornwall (UK) for 3 weeks (it was run through my high school - it wasn't vacation or anything) and we went to school in Cornwall the entire time we were there. I was told this wouldn't count for my study abroad.

So, do you think it is wrong for a college to *require* students pay to study abroad? That is a lot of fucking money to shell out, plus you have to pay my college the same as if you were going there for the semester. On top of that, many students work and cannot afford this trip period, let alone afford to pay for it AND take off from work for a month to do it (and expect their employer to hold their job for them). Hell even if I go to Canada it will still cost a couple thousand bucks.

I think it is very unfair that I have to pay more for my degree than an IST major would, or a history major, or a math major. I'm just curious what everyone's thoughts are on this - should I try and fight this requirement?

[Wapsie B]

1. I'd talk with your advisor

and see what can be done. 9 grand is a lot of money.