SUU students travel the world
By Nikki Koontz
According to a report from the Institute of International Education, study abroad does more than boost your resume. The organization’s President Dr. Allan Goodman believes the world and the workforce are becoming increasingly globalized every day. In his opinion, students need to gain an international experience which he believes to be vital for career success and mutual understanding.
For that very reason, Southern Utah University is increasing study abroad opportunities for students while making programs financially attainable. During the 2017–18 school year, SUU’s Office of Learning Abroad coordinated the study abroad of more than 460 students to 68 different countries from Nicaragua to Austria.
Jill Knox, a junior history education major, traveled to New Zealand to learn about Polynesian perspectives and culture. During her trip, Jill was encouraged to take pictures, try new food, and learn new words.
“I loved studying abroad,” said Knox. “I wasn’t afraid to ask questions and learn about an area. I was able to set aside any personal stresses and enjoy every experience.”
Logan Wyness traveled to Japan to study nutrition and family life. A senior computer science major, he has always had an interest in Japanese culture. He’s now considering living and working in Japan in the future.
“It’s important to be exposed to other countries and cultures in order to become an educated individual,” said Wyness. “One of the reasons I came to SUU was because of the many study abroad options. The experiences you have at an affordable cost is unmatched.”
Kaitlin Lawler, senior psychology major, studied abroad in Romania in May where she visited historical sites, met with locals and studied the cultural differences of people from the region.
“This trip was very important to me because it’s the first opportunity I’ve had to travel out of the country,” said Lawler. “Traveling and experiencing new cultures has always been a dream of mine, so being able to go on this trip was really exciting.”
Studying abroad provides the opportunity to take education out of the classroom and into the world. Students are able to learn from different cultures, find new interests, serve, improve language skills, make lifelong friends and become more prepared to help solve future global challenges.
Tessa Douglas, the former assistant director of learning abroad, said that studying abroad is one of the most beneficial, life-altering experiences a student can have.
“It teaches so many important life skills in an incredibly impactful and lasting way, and it’s amazing to see the changes in students’ confidence, communication, and worldview when they return,” she said. “These experiences are highly valued by employers, can help students graduate early, and are just so fun! And because SUU offers so many scholarships and several low-cost, subsidized programs, there are opportunities for every student to have some kind of study abroad experience.”
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