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Jon Marcus allows the "overseas study costs no more" myth to continue (THES, January 17). Perhaps administrators and academics from United States overseas programmes who come to the United Kingdom don't notice the budgetary jolt that most US students feel on their first trip to the grocery store. The cost of food, travel, and books is significantly higher here than in the US.

I have worked for two different US overseas programmes in residential posts, and watched students suffer. Often their time spent in Britain is the highlight of their degree (ask President Clinton). Until their home universities use realistic estimated expense figures, and give significant financial aide to those who need it, too many US students will have to be rich or go hungry to explore foreign cultures.

Janet Hackel Veterinary medicine faculty officer, University of Edinburgh