2008 Woodie Awards
International editions offer low-priced textbook alternative
Stoyanova, Slavina
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
Buying international student edition textbooks online could save students at least a third on their book bills.
International student edition textbooks have content similar to that of regular textbooks but are much cheaper on several online retailer Web sites. International student edition textbooks normally can only be ordered online and are not available in most bookstores, including the Truman Bookstore.
"It is Truman Bookstore policy not to carry [international student edition textbooks] at the store," said Steve Pennington, manager of the Truman Bookstore.
Pennington said he didn't know about a price difference between regular textbooks and international student editions.
"I assumed that they are the same prices as the regular books," Pennington said. "We don't have a discount for international students because we can't actually single out people."
Pennington said the only discount the Truman Bookstore gives is to students who work there.
Melanee Crist, assistant director of international student affairs, said she is not familiar with international student edition textbooks.
"I don't have an opinion about those editions because I don't have enough information," Crist said.
Crist said that none of the international students have asked about international student edition books but that she is interested in the textbooks because the prices of the student books are a big issue for the international students.
"I could do more research on that, and we would have to investigate that further," Crist said.
Crist said buying international student editions online is a good idea for upperclassmen - if they know they will not modify their class schedules - but there might be disadvantages for freshmen.
International student and junior Katya Markova is in her second year in the United States, but she said she never has heard of international student edition textbooks.
"I am not sure of the reliability of the Web sites because I never have ordered textbooks online," Markova said.
International student edition textbooks have content similar to that of regular textbooks but are much cheaper on several online retailer Web sites. International student edition textbooks normally can only be ordered online and are not available in most bookstores, including the Truman Bookstore.
"It is Truman Bookstore policy not to carry [international student edition textbooks] at the store," said Steve Pennington, manager of the Truman Bookstore.
Pennington said he didn't know about a price difference between regular textbooks and international student editions.
"I assumed that they are the same prices as the regular books," Pennington said. "We don't have a discount for international students because we can't actually single out people."
Pennington said the only discount the Truman Bookstore gives is to students who work there.
Melanee Crist, assistant director of international student affairs, said she is not familiar with international student edition textbooks.
"I don't have an opinion about those editions because I don't have enough information," Crist said.
Crist said that none of the international students have asked about international student edition books but that she is interested in the textbooks because the prices of the student books are a big issue for the international students.
"I could do more research on that, and we would have to investigate that further," Crist said.
Crist said buying international student editions online is a good idea for upperclassmen - if they know they will not modify their class schedules - but there might be disadvantages for freshmen.
International student and junior Katya Markova is in her second year in the United States, but she said she never has heard of international student edition textbooks.
"I am not sure of the reliability of the Web sites because I never have ordered textbooks online," Markova said.
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