May 1, 2013
courtesy of The Arkansas Traveler
As a mentor for the Enhanced
Learning Center, I’ve stood in front of countless groups of freshmen here at
the UA and given them advice on how to be a successful college student. Often,
I ask students if they’d like to study abroad while they’re here, to which
almost everyone raises their hand. I take a few moments to hear what parts of
the world these students want to explore and hear the same three answers:
Spain, France and England. In fact, in a whole year of asking this question, no
one has ever said they’d like to go somewhere outside of Western Europe.
I spent a semester in South Korea as
part of the Soonchunhyang exchange program, and I’ll be in Mozambique and South
Africa this summer with the community development program. I’m even going to
London for a week on my way back. One of my life goals is to visit all six
inhabited continents by the time I’m 25. I hope to one day empathize with the
circumstances of people all over the world.
I could not have gone to a better
university to pursue this dream. Arkansas offers fantastic programs in places
such as Western Europe. The Theatre in London program can help you explore the
rich tradition of drama in the heart of Shakespeare’s stomping grounds every
June, and innumerable affordable exchange programs through the College of
Business can lead you to countries such as France and Denmark.
Spend time navigating the “Find YourProgram” section of the study abroad website, and I think you’ll be surprised
to find not only how many different countries are accessible through study
abroad, but also how affordable these experiences are. My tuition at
Soonchunhyang University in Korea, for example, cost the exact same as
attending Arkansas, and I actually got paid weekly to be an English
conversation partner for Korean students. With that extra money I was able to explore
Mongolia, a sparsely populated country that served as a great contrast to the
bustling streets of Seoul. From South Korea you can also take ferries daily to
China, Japan and Russia.
In Asia, our university offers both
summer and semester-long programs to Japan and China. Among the most
interesting opportunities the university can offer, though, is the summer
Tibetans in Exile trip to India where students do their part in an oral history
project to collect the stories of Tibetan monks. Students in the past have even
had the chance to meet the Dalai Lama through this program. If this is
something that interests you, though, be sure to contact the director Sidney
Burris early because spots in the program are ultra competitive.
Meanwhile, if you’re hesitant to go
to Africa, I dare you to sit down with one of the faculty members in charge of
the Ghana, Mozambique or Tanzania summer programs, listen to how passionate
they are and then not feel your heart patter a little bit to hop on a plane
with them. While these summer trips can be costly, the directors of the
Mozambique program did absolutely everything in their power to make sure I
could afford going on this trip. Don’t let the price tag deter you until you
talk to the amazing team of advisors the Office of Study Abroad offers and hear
about the many scholarships that are available.
I’ve heard strong praise for the
Community Development project in Belize for years. Trust me, nothing beats
feeling like you’re giving something back to the country that graciously
welcomes you to visit, and so if South America is an area that interests you, I
highly recommend you speak with someone who has been on the Belize trip. While
programs the university sponsors are typically more affordable than other
programs, if the country you wish to visit is not among those that the
university reaches, do a little research, talk to the Office of Study Abroad
and work out a plan. I’ve had several friends spend a semester or year in
Australia and New Zealand this way, and they are among the most passionate
proponents of their study abroad experience.
I’m extremely grateful for the time
I spent in South Korea, and I simply can’t wait to set off for Mozambique. As
UA students, we have access to experiences that will never be available to us
at any other point in our lives. This summer, you owe it to yourself to sit
back and explore all the opportunities awaiting you. Leave no region of the
world out of your search, because they all are anxious to offer you something
useful.
Jimmy Ardis is a fourth year
creative writing major who has studied in South Korea and is preparing to
studying in Africa this summer.
