TAMIU Study Abroad Programs Expand World for Students this Fall

This Fall, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will once again open new worlds to its students through its signature Study Abroad programs.

Students will participate in exchange study programs to Hong Kong, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, said Triana González, director of International Engagement.

Also, a faculty-led program will travel to the Dominican Republic in late October, where students will participate in service-learning initiatives.

“For the winter, we will have program offerings to Argentina, Belize, Chile, and China,” González said, “During Spring Break, students will be traveling to Costa Rica and in Summer 2018, to Belgium, England, France, Germany, India and Spain.”  

A Fall Study Abroad Fair will take place Thursday, Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Student Center Rotunda for students interested in participating in a Study Abroad Program. The event is open and free to all students.

Cynthia Martínez, associate director of International Engagement, said that the Fair will highlight Study Abroad programs TAMIU will offer in the Fall, winter, Spring and Summer.

"Students who are interested in participating in a Study Abroad program can fill out an application either in our office, or online,” Martínez said.

 During 2016-2017, a total of 191 TAMIU students studied abroad, González said.

“We hope to increase this number during this academic year,” she said, “Some of the popular countries among students are Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong and China.”

 A new study program with a partner university in México, Universidad de Guadalajara, will also be available this year, González said.

 González said that over 90 percent of the students participating in Study Abroad programs receive scholarships. 

 “This year, we have made applying for a scholarship easier since we now only require one form,” she said.

Martínez said that students are encouraged to participate in a workshop specifically designed by the Office of International Engagement to answer their questions on how to fund a Study Abroad program.

“In our workshop, we discuss financial planning and responsibility, financial aid, scholarships, savings and loans,” Martínez said, “The Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office explain to students how they can pay for their trip.”

Since there are various deadlines for scholarships, students planning to study abroad should apply as soon as possible, Martínez said.         

To participate in exchange programs, a student pays the same tuition and fees amount that they would pay at TAMIU for a semester, she said.

If students are interested in programs other than those offered through exchange universities, the Office of International Engagement can assist them in finding a university that suits their academic needs and interests, Martínez said.

 Students should participate in Study Abroad programs because they help them grow and gain a new perspective of the world, Martínez said.

“Study Abroad programs help students grow professionally, and they have a great impact on their lives,” Martínez said, “Many TAMIU students are first-generation college students, and this is an opportunity to take advantage and immerse themselves in a new culture.”

Many students who study abroad grow personally, have a wider, global perspective, and that helps them become more responsible individuals, Martínez noted.

“They can learn a new language, make new friends, and can add their Study Abroad experience to their résumé so that they can make themselves more marketable to potential employers,” Martínez said, “Overall, it’s a great lifetime experience, because students can learn things about themselves that they didn’t know before.”

Fall classes at TAMIU begin Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017.

For more information about TAMIU Study Abroad programs, please contact González at the Office of International Engagement at 326.2565, email triana.gonzalez@tamiul.edu , click on  http://www.tamiu.edu/international/student.shtml , or visit offices located in Student Center 124.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.