I am currently the graduate assistant at the Office of Study Abroad and am truly passionate about the study abroad experience and the impact it can have on college students. I was fortunate enough to spend a semester studying abroad in Beijing, China as an undergraduate student. I went through a partnership program (IES) that was based out of Beijing Foreign Studies University where I took 3 hours of Mandarin each day as well as two area studies courses (anthropology and history).
One of the best parts of this program was a two week trip that took us across China along the route of the Silk Road from Xi'an to Kashgar (near China's border with Tajikistan). This trip was definitely a once in a life-time experience and I never would have been able to coordinate such an extensive travel experience on my own. I will always be so grateful for the opportunity to see such a unique side of China.
Upon completion of my Master's degree in Higher Education at the University of Arkansas and in my future career in the field of student affairs, I hope to contribute to students’ overall college experience by advising them on the benefits of being exposed to an increasingly globalized society.
Studying abroad was such an integral part of my own college experience and helped me decide not only on an undergraduate major degree program but on a career path after college as well. My hope is for international education to be a component of all students’ university experience and I look forward to continuing to help students understand that studying abroad is much more attainable than they may think.
