With new software, the University of Rhode Island’s study abroad program is working to better the process for interested students by matching them with programs best tailored to their future goals.
Students are now able to browse the many different study abroad opportunities and save the ones that match their academic interests, according to the director of education abroad and student mobility programs, Michelle Carrara. The program hopes that this software will make its platform more user-friendly.
The study abroad program is also beginning to work with the different academic colleges to ensure that students are getting put into the program that best suits their needs and interests, which is not typically how study abroad programs are organized, according to vice provost for global initiatives Kristin Johnson.
“Study abroad is great, but it really should be linked to your academic experience for every student on campus,” Johnson said.
There are many opportunities for students to go abroad, whether studying over a semester, participating in a J-Term course, if they are going through a specific program or in a faculty-led experience, according to Johnson.
“Getting out of your space is our goal,” Johnson said. “We want students to have a global experience, but the students should choose a global experience that’s right for them.”
While abroad, students are also able to take general education classes and courses that might help them fulfill a minor, according to Carrara. Their experience does not have to just be centered around their major.
Fourth-year Ethan Angell studied abroad in Costa Rica during his third year at URI. Despite being a plant sciences major, his abroad experience was geared more toward business majors. However, he and his peers toured farms and other locations where they learned more about Costa Rica’s efforts in sustainable agriculture and fishery development, according to Angell.
“Communication’s huge [in Costa Rica] and it was great to be able to connect with people from a different country when you’re just some kid visiting,” Angell said.
Students also return with a newfound sense of accomplishment because they succeeded at adjusting to a new environment like they did as first-year students, but this time they also adjust to a new culture, according to Carrara.
“Students come back with a sense of independence that they typically didn’t have previously,” Carrara said. “Even if they were a very independent student, there’s a renewed sense of independence because there are so many firsts that you encounter.”
The study abroad program is also working on making guides and videos for students to watch to learn more about their programs of interest, according to Johnson. The goal is for students to not only work with advisors in the study abroad program, but also work closely with faculty in their academic colleges to learn about more specific opportunities.
The study abroad program is also working on making their experiences more affordable for students and offer more online opportunities, according to Johnson. Cost can be a barrier for many students interested, but for out-of-state students, the cost is closer to in-state room and board.
Scholarships include the Gilman-McCain scholarship, for children of active military employees, as well as scholarships that fund students learning specific languages, according to Carrara.
Studying abroad also helps students when it comes to applying for jobs and internships, according to Carrara. For instance, students have the opportunity to learn a new language and gain the ability to acclimate to another country and new situations.
For students interested in studying abroad soon, it isn’t too late to start planning their experience for the upcoming J-Term, according to Johnson. To ensure that students get into the proper program, Johnson recommends that they start looking one year in advance, meet with an advisor and attend the information sessions.
Students who would like to provide feedback to the program about the new software or other issues can do so on their online form .