2008 Woodie Awards
Overseas opportunities for students
Ruth Schmidt
Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: News
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Blake Henderson, sophomore, said he feels changed.
"I feel like a really different person," he said. "It is one of the best things I have done in my life."
Lydia Strong echoed Henderson's feelings.
"A day does not go by without me hoping that I will have the chance to do it again," she said.
What has both of these students talking is their international experiences. Both UMKC students studied abroad through the Center for International Academic Programs (CIAP). The center offers resources to students and faculty preparing to take their academic activities overseas.
On average, twenty students a semester take advantage of this resource. Melissa Thomas, executive staff assistant, said this is due to students perceiving the programs as expensive.
When Henderson went in to talk to Thomas about spending an academic year in Madrid, Spain, he realized it would not be as expensive as he thought.
"Overall it was not that much more than going to school and living in the U.S. for nine months," he said. "The office really hooked me up. I received two scholarships."
The center has a number of ways to help students handle the financial part of traveling and studying. Many programs allow students to pay the UMKC tuition price for the classes they take abroad. Scholarships are also available through CIAP.
Programs are offered during the regular winter and fall semesters; the summer semester and year-long visits are also available.
The number of students who study abroad in the summer is much higher than in the winter and fall semesters. Thomas said most students think traveling in the summer is less disruptive to their schedules. But with planning, she believes students need not worry.
"If you are planning a year in advance that is plenty of time," she said.
Planning ahead allows a student time to meet with academic and financial aid advisors. With guidance from both offices, students can make sure the credits they earn overseas will apply to their UMKC degree and they will have the finances to back them up.
"I feel like a really different person," he said. "It is one of the best things I have done in my life."
Lydia Strong echoed Henderson's feelings.
"A day does not go by without me hoping that I will have the chance to do it again," she said.
What has both of these students talking is their international experiences. Both UMKC students studied abroad through the Center for International Academic Programs (CIAP). The center offers resources to students and faculty preparing to take their academic activities overseas.
On average, twenty students a semester take advantage of this resource. Melissa Thomas, executive staff assistant, said this is due to students perceiving the programs as expensive.
When Henderson went in to talk to Thomas about spending an academic year in Madrid, Spain, he realized it would not be as expensive as he thought.
"Overall it was not that much more than going to school and living in the U.S. for nine months," he said. "The office really hooked me up. I received two scholarships."
The center has a number of ways to help students handle the financial part of traveling and studying. Many programs allow students to pay the UMKC tuition price for the classes they take abroad. Scholarships are also available through CIAP.
Programs are offered during the regular winter and fall semesters; the summer semester and year-long visits are also available.
The number of students who study abroad in the summer is much higher than in the winter and fall semesters. Thomas said most students think traveling in the summer is less disruptive to their schedules. But with planning, she believes students need not worry.
"If you are planning a year in advance that is plenty of time," she said.
Planning ahead allows a student time to meet with academic and financial aid advisors. With guidance from both offices, students can make sure the credits they earn overseas will apply to their UMKC degree and they will have the finances to back them up.
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