Ohio University's Spanish study abroad program will be moving to Toledo. No, not the home of Tony Packo's and the Mud Hens, but rather Toledo, Spain. The programs will be moving from Pamplona, which was study abroad students' home in Spain for about 10 years.
Students will pay $200 more to attend the new program, but the Department of Modern Languages assured students that if the program were kept in Pamplona, the costs would rise even higher. Unable to stop the rising cost with negotiations, OU began to look for other options, which officials found at Universidad Castilla-La Muncha in Toledo, Spain.
The only puzzling thing is that OU kept the program in Pamplona for so long. It is clear the reasons for moving are good. OU has resources in Toledo, and the new program appears to offer more to those interested in study abroad, including possible internship opportunities.
Toledo's location sweetened the deal. Not only is it close to the capital of Madrid, the area around Toledo speaks Castilian Spanish ' the form of Spanish taught in U.S. classes. That opportunity was harder to find in Pamplona, where people speak a form of Spanish called Basque.
It is good that the Office of Modern Languages is trying to save students and itself money, and Toledo seems to be a better location for study abroad, too. Next time, let's not wait 10 years to make a good change.Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Post executive editors.
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Lesser costs, common language makes move from Pamplona to Toledo seem long overdue
