Studying abroad might be one of the most beneficial experiences to a college student, and provides opportunities in many fields of study.
The opportunity to study abroad is open to all TAMUK students who meet the general requirements. The requirements include being enrolled as a TAMUK student, registered in a Study Abroad program and having a minimum GPA of 2.5 as an undergraduate and a 3.0 as a graduate student.
Regional Director of University Relations at Academic Programs International Brittany Palmer said her experiences studying abroad were transformative.
“I personally studied abroad twice,” Palmer said. “Those two experiences alone pretty much transformed my whole life.”
After studying abroad, Palmer decided to craft her career around helping other students study abroad.
TAMUK offers three ways to study abroad, which include faculty-led, student exchange and provider-independent. Organizers said the studying abroad experience is impactful and enhances learning and even creativity. Studying abroad is so impactful on a student that it’s even known to give you a competitive advantage when it comes to applying for a job. On a study abroad trip you will learn more about yourself and the world, further your learning and engage with people different than you.
Palmer said, some of the top skills you will gain on a study abroad trip are problem solving and the ability to work in a team and learning communication skills.
Michael Martinez, a student at TAMUK, went on a faculty-led trip to Puerto Rico right after Hurricane Maria. On this trip, he earned his disaster relief training certification.
“So he [Michael] can definitely put that on his resume,” TAMUK’s Study Abroad Program Coordinator Nicolette Dacke said,
Dacke explained how Michael benefitted from this experience in Puerto Rico and how having this training would later benefit his career.
She also mentioned that although there are requirements to study abroad there’s also a 95 percent acceptance rate. She encouraged the students to not stress about the cost, and to apply for study abroad scholarships. As far as military benefits, they also help cover the cost of your bill.
Figuring out which type of way to study abroad will help estimate a cost and time you’ll be going on your trip. Dacke also recommends students interested in Study Abroad to attend the Study Abroad Symposium on Nov. 20th.