For many prospective applicants, the financial strain of studying abroad may prove to be too much of a burden to consider a study abroad program as a viable option for their college career. Texas A&M University-Kingsville understands this, and through support programs such as the Blas and Graciela Ruiz Global Studies Fund, through the Political Science Global Program, provides aid to students who desire to further their education in a foreign country.
“I was approached by Dr. Nirmal Goswami… about starting a scholarship on behalf of my mom and dad who were very instrumental [to me] in getting a higher education degree,” said Dr. Alberto Ruiz, Dean of the College of Education & Human Performance who helped establish the Global Studies Fund, named in honor of his parents. “Traveling abroad really opened my eyes to the rest of the world, and I wanted that same opportunity for students here at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, who may have never had that opportunity.”
In addition to Dr. Ruiz’s contributions to Global Studies, several other TAMUK professors and staff members have served as benefactors for students receiving scholarships from several Global Studies Funds on campus, including Dr. Manuel Flores, Ms. Adriana Garza-Flores, and retired professors Dr. Gunter Mende and Dr. Richard Hartwig.
“I know [Dr. Ruiz] well and his interest in our students goes well beyond the College of Education,” Dr. Nirmal Goswami said in reference to his partnership with Dr. Ruiz on the Global Studies Fund. “This fund serves to benefit students across the university who are interested in international experiences and may not have the resources to support that interest.”
The Global Studies Fund is a part of TAMUK’s Political Science Global Programs, a series of programs that seeks to get TAMUK students interested in international studies to pursue their interests by sending groups of TAMUK students to foreign countries for study abroad programs to become immersed in local politics, history and culture. This year, students enrolled in the program will be traveling to India and Bhutan.