With SMU’s admissions standards rising, it has become increasingly difficult for students to gain acceptance to the university.

However, in the fall of 2013 SMU started a new program: for some students, who would otherwise be waitlisted for a semester to the university, they now have the chance to study abroad at Franklin College in Switzerland for the fall semester before transferring to SMU in the spring.

“I was really excited when I heard [about the chance to go abroad]. I thought Switzerland would be really cool,” first-year program participant Ana Cabello Gorena said.

Sarah Mosso, another participant, agreed.

“It really influenced my decision to come to SMU. When narrowing down my college choices, I thought studying abroad would be an amazing opportunity,” Mosso said.

Approximately 20 first-year students studied together in Lugano, Switzerland. Wes K. Waggoner, the dean of undergraduate admission and executive director of enrollment Services at SMU, explained that the Switzerland program was chosen partly because of the host university’s ties to SMU.

“Franklin College’s President Greg Warden is a former SMU faculty member, which presented an obvious opportunity to partner with Franklin College,” Waggoner said. “Plus, Franklin’s U.S.-based accreditation helps smooth the transition for the students.”

According to Gorena, the group “bonded really nicely,” becoming a tight-knit family that studied together during the week and traveled together on weekends. Waggoner agreed, noting that the first semester was “absolutely a success.”

“The students have now started their SMU career with an experience that will bring invaluable insight into their studies here,” Waggoner said.

The students were able to visit countries all over Europe, and even participated in academic travel experiences in Geneva, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria to witness United Nations meetings.

One of the most exciting aspects of the program could be the possible change it will bring to the campus attitude toward studying abroad.

When asked if they would go abroad for a semester again, both Gorena and Mosso responded definitively.

Though SMU offers excellent study abroad programs, the number of students who go abroad for a semester is relatively small.

“It’s hard to be gone for a whole semester… A lot of people get really comfortable here, and think they would miss it too much,” senior Brie Strickland said.

Many students share that attitude, which is a tribute to the incredible undergraduate experience that SMU offers.

However, 20-some first-years returning with tales of a semester in Switzerland and the desire to go abroad again could make a difference in the campus attitude toward taking a semester overseas.

“I know I’ve definitely promoted going abroad for a semester… it’s such an eye-opening experience,” Mosso said. “I think it was the best thing I could’ve done in college.”

Many students who decide not to go abroad fear being far away, are concerned about finances or are simply unaware of the programs SMU offers.

However, the students returning from Switzerland could increase awareness of SMU’s programs, promote the benefits of studying overseas and encourage their fellow first-years to consider a semester abroad for themselves.