Inspired by the many companies embracing advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Elizabethtown College has joined the bandwagon, now offering a study abroad program through the Metaverse.
Created by Facebook’s parent company Meta, the Metaverse is a virtual reality (VR) space of people parallel to the real world. In turn, individuals are able to travel wherever they want. Etown has partnered with the company, persuaded by a multi-million-dollar grant, to create the nation’s first ever trial run. The inaugural group of participants will start this program in the fall 2023 semester.
Sophomore Gabrielle Kambouroglos planned to study abroad in Seville, Spain in the fall, but upon hearing of this program, she immediately signed up to experience the Metaverse.
“I think that the College creating a Metaverse study abroad program is way better than actually going to that country because…why would I want to leave Etown’s campus when I could just stay there?” she questioned.
When asked where she has chosen to study with the seemingly unlimited options available through this AI world, Kambouroglos excitedly replied, “Seville, Spain,” unblinking. Then, prompted as to why she still wants to study in Spain through the Metaverse even though she could physically travel there, she just continued to smile.
Students must pay Etown room and board in full to participate in this study abroad program. However, this poses a great alternative to traditional programs, which can become expensive due to the additional costs.
Metaverse program participants will be housed in Royer, where the lights will always be kept off to ensure that students have the most interactive and realistic experience—and, not to mention, this will allow the College to remain environmentally friendly. The residence hall was renovated with this program especially in mind. Since students will be paying for an on-campus meal plan, they will be given their food through a built-in slot in the door by study abroad staff.
“I think it’s going to be great being in a dark room in Royer since I’m not really going to remember I’m at Etown. It’s going to feel like a real experience,” Kambouroglos said. “They’re going to give me my meals under my door, so I’ll still get that authentic food from the [Marketplace].”
The College has also budgeted its finances accordingly—with the help of that hefty grant from Meta—so it can occasionally splurge on student meals. They seek to offer multiple gourmet dinners throughout the semester, but the specifics were only revealed to participants in the program.
“[Etown is] also going to get me meals from Taco Bell sometimes, so that’s just as good as going to Spain, I guess,” Kambouroglos added.
Etown is the first institution of higher education that will be offering a Metaverse program. However, this raises numerous questions, with one being if this will cause vision loss. After all, students are required by contract to keep the VR goggles on at all times. If students take off these goggles, they must pay a fine of an undisclosed amount. They do not want to ruin the highly immersive experience. The College nor Meta knows the effects of prolonged Metaverse exposure; they hope to advance scientific discoveries through this trial run.
In anticipation of possible problems arising throughout the semester, Etown has legally protected itself by requiring incoming participants to sign a liability waiver that prohibits them from suing the College for distress or damages. Students are advised not to read the small print.
Those interested in studying abroad through the Metaverse can contact ramosj@etown.edu or Mark Zuckerberg for more information. However, spots are limited, so students are encouraged to reach out to the Business Office and pay in full for the program immediately.
