TAMIU Sees Increase in Student Study Abroad

A breath of cosmopolitan air and a European outlook on communications are some of the things that Laredoan Frank González hopes to experience as he embarks on a study abroad program to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, this Fall.

González, a senior communications major at Texas A&M International University, is part of a growing number of University students who are opting to travel abroad to expand on what they have learned in their classrooms.

“I feel it’s important for all students to be able to travel and experience studying in a different country,” González said, “I’m going to Europe because I wanted to gain a European perspective on global communication so that I’ll be able to come back and put what I’ve learned at TAMIU and Europe together and give back to my community.”

In 2001, only three TAMIU students studied abroad. That number increased to 50 this year, said Jannet García, director of International Education.

“The bulk of these students go on faculty-led programs which are short term and directed by a University professor,” she said, “The rest go on semester programs through exchange with foreign partner schools or study abroad organizations.”

Students can travel anywhere in the world and bring back the advantage of having acquired a global education, García said.

Experiencing a new country encourages critical thinking, self-reliance and the notion of becoming a world citizen, García said.

“This, combined with a solid foundation in academics, makes for a group of extremely competitive graduates ready to enter the workforce,” she said.

While program costs vary depending on the type of program, location and duration, TAMIU has a progressive agenda for supporting study-abroad students through financial aid, García said.

Students traveling on an approved TAMIU study abroad program may be eligible to qualify for local scholarships in addition to state and federal aid, she said.

Reserved exclusively for TAMIU students, study-abroad scholarships can support a student on a semester abroad program with an award ranging from $3,000 to $7,000. National scholarships are also available, García said.          

González, who has received several scholarships to cover his room and board, said he feels excited about traveling to The Netherlands.

“I speak a little Dutch,” he said, “I feel ready.”

For further information, please contact the Office of International Education at 326-2566, e-mail García at jannetg@tamiu.edu, visit OIE’s Web site at tamiu.edu/dip/oie or visit offices located in Pellegrino Hall 302 H. University office hours are 8 a.m.  – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Fall 2007 registration is now underway at uonline.tamiu.edu

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 27.

For registration information, e-mail the Office of the Registrar at registrar@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.2250, click on tamiu.edu/affairs/registrar or visit the Office in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (KL), room 168.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu