Study abroad program sends CMU students to study in more than 50 countries
Imagine going to college in another country.
Every year, about 500 students travel to more than 30 different countries through Central Michigan University’s Study Abroad Program.
Among them was Traverse City junior Heather Flowers, who put her education to the test when she went to Oaxaca, Mexico last year to help teach English in an orphanage.
“One of the big things was seeing what real poverty is,” said Flowers, who majors in child development and communication disorders. “It’s completely different in another country.”
Lindsey Forton, an Alto senior, has studied in both Oaxaca and Scotland. She said world travel has impacted her perspective on life.
“I realize that I have a much broader mind set about a lot of things, having spent time with people from so many different cultures, which I believe is a huge benefit of studying abroad,” Forton said.
Each student agrees trips give students not only a new view of the world but a chance to enjoy its culture.
Detroit senior Antanique Holcomb said the highlight of her travels in Austria was attending a ball in the Emperor’s Palace.
“There were people in floor-length gowns doing the Viennese Waltz,” she said. “You felt like you got a lot of European history just being there.”
Not all students go just for the educational experience. Stephanie Jaczkowski wanted to reconnect with her ancestry in Warsaw, Poland, where she chose to study abroad.
“My family’s been here for 100 years and nobody’s ever gone back,” the Clinton Township junior said. “I wanted to go back to my heritage and roots.”
Most of Jaczkowski’s classes were in English. She said she most enjoyed an international politics class with a whole host of other students from abroad.
She said she enjoyed being exposed to the perspectives of students hailing from about 20 different countries in one class.
But one experience did leave Jaczkowski speechless: Visiting Auschwitz.
“You can’t explain it,” she said. “You really just have to see it.”
Illinois senior Joey Rasich chose to visit Spain for his double major in International Business and Spanish. He said having the international experience and knowing the global market will make him more marketable to employers.
He said he is Catholic and witnessing Spanish parades celebrating religious holidays were very moving. He plans to study abroad again and encourages anyone, whether it be for personal or educational purposes, to try it once.
“I only have the best things to say about Study Abroad,” Rasich said. “You’re never going to get the opportunity again to just pack up, travel the world, and get college credit for it.”
