Embracing Global Classrooms With Jefferson’s Study Away Programs

Humans tend to be creatures of habit, but experiencing new and unfamiliar situations, such as studying in a foreign country, can promote learning, improve self-efficacy and reduce anxiety.

“When you make the world your campus, you expand the possibilities of what you can do—as a professional and a person,” stresses Madeleine Wilcox, director of Jefferson’s Office of Study Away and Global Experiences. “You grow your network, meet new friends and mentors, see different places, gain inspiration and communicate across cultures.”

With options in over 35 countries and 45 programs, including architecture, business, nursing, law and society, and health sciences, Jefferson’s study away allows students to immerse themselves in a culture that connects to their passions.

“I went from studying diagrams in a history class to experiencing the architecture of Rome firsthand,” says architecture student Gaston Pombo, who participated in the Jefferson Rome Semester at the University of Arkansas Rome Center. “The program expanded our classroom across Rome.”

Finance major Carmen Polanco-Ramirez spent a semester in Seville, Spain. She studied business at Pablo de Olavide University and the CEA Seville Center and interned with a law firm, receiving credits for the classes and particularly valuable internship.

“I was born in the Dominican Republic,” Polanco-Ramirez says. “Spanish is my first language, but I’ve never had to speak or understand Spanish professionally. I overcame this challenge and know it will help me in my future career.”

Ebony Owens-Kennedy studied at Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica—her first trip outside the United States. She took classes in medical Spanish, tropical medicine and holistic health, which all transferred seamlessly to her health sciences/pre-physician assistant studies program.

Students who participate in study away often reflect that their experiences shaped their future career paths and helped them develop skills that would help them throughout their lives.

“The program gave me a new sense of independence, an education on cultural sensitivity and a unique perspective on global healthcare systems,” Owens-Kennedy says.

Pombo looked back on his experience as a valuable addition to his knowledge of global architecture. “I gained the ability to expand my viewpoint,” he says. “Every country and location has a different identity when it comes to architectural design. I will also greatly benefit from my networking opportunities in Rome.”

All three students found a strong sense of independence while studying abroad. “I was the only student from Jefferson participating in the semester in Seville,” Polanco-Ramirez says. “I was a little nervous going in because I felt like I would be alone, but I gained self-reliance, found a community and made lifelong friendships.”

Many students don’t realize how feasible it is to fit international study into their schedule, Wilcox says. The study away staff provides guidance with logistics and financial aid.

“I always felt like studying abroad was a far-fetched idea until I went to an informational meeting about it,” Polanco-Ramirez says. “I learned that my financial aid would apply while I was abroad, and I could apply for additional scholarships for financial support when I was in Seville.”

Pombo earned two scholarships from competitive programs: the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and Jefferson’s Lockyer Global Passport Scholarship Program.

“I thought financial hurdles would keep me from doing study away,” he says, “but I soon realized the value and worked with the study away office to figure out how to make it happen.”

Owens-Kennedy, who also earned scholarships, had a simple message for students considering study away: “Don’t let finances scare you. Just plan ahead and have determination.”

Visit here for more info about Jefferson’s study away programs, and watch the video below to learn about architecture students’ two-week trip to Malawi.