By Cherrelle Marable–
Over the years, the rate of college students studying abroad has increased. More institutions of higher education are offering study abroad programs and students also seem to be encouraging each other. On Feb. 26, the Office of First Year Initiatives and the Office of Study Abroad & International Travel offered a chance for students to stop by for free Qdoba at the “Let’s Talk Lunch” series at the Cultural Center.
Students who attended the session had a chance to learn about the some of the study abroad programs offered at the University of Louisville. Students learned about the first steps to studying abroad, this was a great informational session for first year students and first generation college students.
“Timing is of the essence,” stated study abroad advisor Anna Yacovone, “start informing yourself about the study programs U of L offers. To get started you might want to attend one of the Study Abroad Fairs in either September or January. There you can learn about the benefits of study abroad and get an overview of the available opportunities.” “It’s all about getting out your comfort zone, don’t let fear keep you from studying abroad.” said Yacovone. “For some students getting out of Kentucky is a big deal but think about the experience who could gain when traveling to another country.”
Studying abroad allows students to take part in a journey of a lifetime. Students who choose to study abroad have a chance to gain a new perspective, meet new people, and learn a new language. Plus, studying abroad really stands out on resumes and job applications. U of L also offers programs where study abroad can count as credit towards graduation.
Study abroad is available year-round and there are a variety of ways to get involved in study abroad at U of L: third-party providers, U of L faculty-led programs, exchanges, and the International Service Learning Program (ISLP). Students have plenty of options to choose from; they can study abroad for a week or as long as a year at a time. There is something for everyone, no matter what their major or minor. Classes taught in English are available in countries like Thailand, France, Italy, South Korea, etc. If you are studying a foreign language, studying abroad is the best opportunity to enhance your language skills. Who knows? You may come back from studying abroad fluently speaking another language!
Each year, hundreds of University of Louisville undergraduates study abroad, and last year alone, 850 had various international experiences. The goal of the Office of Study Abroad and International Travel is to guide you through the study abroad process by providing students with information about the various study abroad program options available. For more information on all types of study abroad programs available, please contact the Office of Study Abroad and International Travel at (502)852.0374, e-mail them at [email protected], or stop by the office located on the first floor inside Brodschi Hall located by the library, law school, and Kent School of Social Work.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Learn about studying abroad now. It will broaden your horizons and give you a new perspective on life.
Photo courtesy of University of Louisville
