By Min Ju Dutczak
Kate Emory, director of the Study Abroad Program at Hood helps students travel the world.
Hood’s new Study Abroad Program, located in theAppleResourceCenterin Room 8C, was created in 2011 to help students better understand and plan studying abroad.
“TheUSteaching style is very different so [studying abroad] offers new perspectives and helps students see the world as a whole entity. It really does broaden horizons. It also gives students a heads up in careers because the outside experience [makes] the students more worldly,” Emory said.
Hood offers students a variety of locations for students interested in studying abroad, including: Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Egypt, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey.
The study abroad office affiliates with the majority of the travel locations through CAPA (Centers for Academic Programs Abroad) and CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) that work withHoodCollegeto get students situated in classes, housings, internships, and financial needs.
Any student with good academic standing and a 2.5 GPA or above can apply to study abroad.
“Junior and senior students are the preferred applicants because they have a clearer sense of their majors and can better plan their abroad studies accordingly to their goals,” Emory said.
Students are asked to start planning with the abroad office at least one semester in advance in order to get all their signatures and financial needs in order with the exception of winter and spring breaks.
Once students have permission to study abroad they may apply to various schools. Students are encouraged to apply to two schools in case spaces in exchange programs are filled up and they may have options.
Several students last semester took advantage of the new study abroad opportunities.
Senior Ashley Rotiz, who studied atUniversity of Seville,Spainin spring 2012, said “students need to leave [their] ignorance behind and take initiative [in order to study abroad].”
Similarly, senior Fran Roth, a student atSweetBriarCollege, inParis,Francein 2011- 2012, said “[students need to] immerse and appreciate the different cultures and histories of the world because theUSis still young and, in a way, disconnected.”
The study abroad office works closely with Susan Erb from the Financial Aid Office to provided financial awards to students who decide to study abroad.
Currently, the Shirley Conner Hardinge awards students monetarily who are studying abroad. In fall of 2011, Hood was able to give about $3,000 to students through this scholarship.
The study abroad process takes significant planning with the study abroad office, which is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to four p.m.
Junior Molly Seel who studied abroad inLondonlast semester, said, “When else can you get a chance to just live and get out for four months?”
Students interested in meeting Emory can email her at emoryk@hood.edu. For more information students may also visit the official website at hood.edu/studyabroad.
Be the first to comment