TAMIU Study
Abroad Program
2015-2016
1,262,732
$178,915
AWARDED in
SCHOLARSHIPS
MILES TRAVELED
COUNTRIES
VISITED
20
more than half of
students were
first time travelers
185
PASSPORT
PASSPORT
STUDENTS
TRAVELED
ABROAD
EQUIVALENT TO
CIRCLING THE
WORLD 50 TIMES
TAMIU Students See the World Thanks to
Guadalupe & Lilia Martínez Foundation Support
Thanks to a generous scholarship fromThe Guadalupe and Lilia Martínez
Foundation, a total of 185 TAMIU students were able to log 1,262,732 miles
around the world as part of the 2015-2016 University Study Abroad Program.
Through The Guadalupe and Lilia Martínez International Fellows Scholarship,
the Foundation granted a total of $178,915 in scholarships toTAMIU students
traveling abroad.The Foundation has awarded such scholarships since 2008.
Luis Garza (’15), a member of the TAMIU Student Philanthropy Council who
traveled to Hong Kong, said his Guadalupe and Lilia Martínez Foundation-funded
Study Aboard Program truly expanded his horizons and sense of humanity.
“Studying Abroad
helped me realize that the
world is a lot bigger than we
might think.This wonderful
combination of cultures,
climates, and concepts are
the things that bring us
together as a human race,”
Garza recalled.
Among countries students visited were China, Spain, France, India, the
Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Finland, Chile, South Korea, Belize, Philippines,
Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Germany,Thailand, Japan and South Africa.The length of stay
for students in each of the countries varied from semester-long programs to
winter or summer only programs.
The Foundation’s primary purpose is to provide means for the people of
Webb and Zapata counties to achieve successful lives and to improve the overall
environment there.
Signature Courses
Debut at TAMIU
This Spring freshmen open an
innovative new chapter at TAMIU.
“Signature Courses,” a mandatory series of
special, focused courses taught by select,
seasoned TAMIU faculty members, begin.
Dubbed “Great Minds, Great Times,”
TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said
the initiative is one of the most exciting
additions to the University’s programs.
“It’s a bold offering that has
tremendous relevance and promise for
students. It really helps set the tone for
their development and progress. It offers
singularly transformative experiences to
guide their undergraduate, and perhaps
life journey,” Dr. Arenaz said.
Dr. CatherynWeitman, Dean
of University College, and program
coordinator, said Signature Courses
are a relatively new addition to higher
education.
“Signature Courses are one of the
more intriguing initiatives on today’s
campuses. First year and transfer students
with less than 30 hours dive into a
compelling interdisciplinary course with
expert and passionate faculty. Together,
they make connections asking the big
questions in learning. In our fast-paced
international world, complex problems
require interdisciplinary solutions…this is
the place where that starts,” she noted.
University College also hosts an
integrated Presidential Lecture Series for
the Community.
TAMIU students who have studied
abroad thanks to the Foundation will surely
do their share to do so.
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