TAMIU Study Abroad Opportunities Expand Knowledge, Worlds

Come January, Alejandra Albrecht, a sophomore business student at Texas A&M International University, will see and study in the country of her dreams.

Albrecht and her sister, Karla, also a TAMIU student, are participating in a semester-long, study-abroad program at the Euromed-Marseille management school in Marseille, France and are expanding their knowledge to include the world.

"We are excited," Alejandra Albrecht said about her new study opportunity, "Going to Europe has always been something we wanted to do. We want to do this for our personal growth, education and maturity."

TAMIU students hoping to study abroad can visit the Center for International Education at Texas A&M International University. The Center assists those who dream of countries far away with the process of studying and living abroad, while still completing their academic objectives.

Jannet García, Center director, said students can take advantage of a diverse number of study abroad programs to study abroad for a summer, semester, or up to one year. TAMIU provides access to several types of study abroad programs - exchange, affiliate, or faculty-led - to meet student needs.

Exchange programs allow for direct enrollment at a foreign institution while remaining enrolled at TAMIU. Financial aid can travel with the student to finance study abroad. Most exchange programs are offered in Western Europe and Northern America. Most popular at TAMIU are the business programs in France (Marseille), Germany (Berlin), the Netherlands (Arnhem), Spain (Córdoba), and México (Guanajuato, Monterrey, and San Luis Potosí).

Affiliate programs offer a wide variety locations and disciplines anywhere in the world. Students enroll with a study abroad organization, and pay a program fee. Course work typically is taught in English, and students have the support of an on-site director. Popular locations are the United Kingdom, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain.

Faculty-led programs are TAMIU courses taught by TAMIU professors abroad, most often during the summer sessions. Students enroll and register at TAMIU, while enjoying the benefit of taking the course abroad.

"Typically such courses give students a quick overview of the country dynamics including government, culture, and business, and allow for comparative research," García said.

Proposed courses for summer 2004 are Latin American Identity Development, taught by Dr. Christy Teranishi in Guanajuato, Mexico; Information Systems Design and Implementation, taught by Dr. Ned Kock in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and International Business in Chambery, France.

Interested students are encouraged to visit the Center for International Education to browse through the Study Abroad Library, or to go online and visit www.tamiu.edu/oip.

"Advisement appointments are encouraged, and will assist in determining which program fits best with the students profile in terms of academic objectives, financial details, and personal preferences. Academic advisement/approval is required to fulfill study abroad application requirements, and allows students to have realistic expectations of course transfer," García said.

The Center for International Education works closely with the students throughout the application process to assist with housing and travel arrangements, and remains in touch with the student throughout their study abroad program to provide support where needed, García added.

The TAMIU International Education Fee Scholarship is available to qualified students for financial assistance. The scholarship awards for 2004 range between $500 and $1500(semester/year programs) and $250 and $750 for summer programs. Study abroad program expenses vary depending on length, location, and which type of program was selected.

For more information, please contact García at 326.2565, email studyabroad@tamiu.edu or visit the Center for International Education at Pellegrino Hall 301.

Registration for the Spring 2004 semester will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Registration may be accomplished throughout these days and prior to General Registration on Friday, Jan. 16. Classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 20. Registration information is available by calling the Office of the Registrar at 326.2250.