Endless study abroad opportunities provide students fun, education

Have you ever wanted to see Paris? Go to London? See the majestic sites of Italy? Or traverse desert sands and see the pyramids of Egypt?

How would you like to meet fellow students from other countries and experience foreign cultures?

UNF can help answer some of these questions through study-abroad programs. Through short-term and semester programs, students can earn credit for school and experience the world.

“This year, we are already working with faculty and have 21 [short-term trips] lined up with more coming,” said Timothy Robinson, the director of the International Center.

The International Center also plans to work with other Florida universities to send students to other locations where UNF does not have contacts.

“We will work with students to find something that fits,” Robinson said.

Annually, more than 200,000 students from the United States study abroad. This is up nearly 150 percent from 10 years ago, when the number was about 90,000.

The most visited places are areas where English is spoken. The United Kingdom and Australia are popular destinations for students, with the U.K. hosting the most, followed by Italy and Spain.

Europe, in general, is a popular destination for students, but Asia, Latin America and the Middle East are drawing in more students.

Some colleges at UNF have their own study abroad exchanges and programs. These are available to graduates and undergraduates, as well as students who are in majors other than those offered by these colleges.

The Coggin College of Business sends students to many different countries. Some of the locations for this school year include Brazil, New Zealand, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Some programs are offered for entire semesters, while others are short-term faculty led programs.

“Short-term study abroad is a great way for students who have never traveled before to experience the world,” said Kate Mattingly, the college’s study abroad adviser.

Mattingly, who participated in many study abroad programs while a student, highly recommends the experience.

“Employers really like to see ‘study abroad’ on a resume,” Mattingly said. “When they see it, they can tell a student is willing to take a risk to learn about a culture different from their own, and they realize the world is not just the United States.”

The College of Education and Human Services also offers study abroad programs. One program is located out of Plymouth, England, and is available to students as part as an alternative internship site.

Sports management majors are also able to participate and intern with a Championship Football League team, the Plymouth Argyles.

The coordinators of the program recommend that students travel abroad to help better themselves and the community.

“The more we can learn about other people, other cultures and other countries, the more we can better prepare our own students in school to become more informed members of the global community,” said Marsha Lupi, associate dean with the College of Education.

Lupi developed the current Plymouth internship at the University College of Plymouth, where UNF students stay when they intern in England.

The College of Education also offers other trips for students. Two in particular include programs to Belize and Austria.

Belize is a graduate project involving distance learning and internships, while the latter is available to students enrolled in the American Sign Language interpreter’s program.

The education college is also working on trips to Honduras, Japan and Portugal.

Katie Dressel, a junior international business major said she is excited about the experience.

“I can’t wait to go study-abroad and see the world,” she said.

Dressel is doing a semester at sea and is traveling to 10 different countries for the Spring 2009 semester.

“I can’t wait!” she said.

Take part in study abroad programs

• Study abroad can get expensive for students, but many coordinators recommend students looking into a transformational learning opportunities.

• TLOs are grants and scholarships issued to help offset the cost of study abroad, making them more affordable to students.

• Also, certain federal and state scholarships help cover costs, including Bright Futures, on certain trips.

• For more information regarding study abroad trips, financing or other questions students can talk to the International Center, The Coggin College of Business, the College of Education and Human Services, or visit their respective Web sites.

• In addition to the International Study Abroad Fair Sept. 23, there is also one scheduled for January 2009 in Building 14.
E-mail Brian Norman at features@unfspinnaker.com.