The University offers study abroad opportunities in more than 100 destinations around the world through numerous summer, semester and spring break programs, and according to Brooke Ashley, assistant director at the Study Abroad Office, the programs have seen a rise of interest from students this year over last year.
“Essentially a student can study abroad in any country in the world,” Ashley said. “Studying abroad provides students with a tremendous sense of independence and self-confidence.”
According to Ashley, faculty led summer programs have seen the greatest increase in interest.
“It’s really exciting to see such a big increase in student interest,” Ashley said. “It is our goal each year to substantially increase the number of students who participate in study abroad.”
Two types of semester study abroad programs are offered through the Study Abroad Office. Through the exchange program, students from the University and students from partner universities overseas trade places. Students participating pay N.C. State tuition and receive transfer credit for the courses that they take.
“The University has exchange partners throughout the world,” Ashley said. “We specifically look for universities that offer a curriculum that is similar to the one offered at N.C. State to ensure the progress toward a degree is not lost during the study abroad semester.”
The other option students have is direct enrollment, which is where the student participating in the program directly enrolls in the university overseas. He or she will pay the tuition and fees for that university, not those of N.C. State. That student will still receive transfer credit for the courses he or she takes.
The summer programs are led by a faculty adviser from the University and the programs are usually four to six weeks in duration. Unlike the semester programs, the classes during the summer sessions are taught by the faculty adviser and are actual classes offered at NCSU.
“I’m planning on going to Lille, France this summer to finish up the requirements for my French minor and fulfill one of my history requirements,” Salem Simmons, a junior in communication, said. “I have been taking French since high school and going to France will give me a better understanding of the culture and language.”
If a specific study abroad program or location is not offered through the University, the Study Abroad Office will work with students to find programs offered by other universities or accredited third-party providers that will satisfy their needs.
The University also receives students from around the world through student exchanges and other programs.
“Being abroad is an exciting experience,” Orla Hennessy, a junior in business management and exchange student from Ireland, said. “It’s like you’re starting over fresh and experiencing totally different lifestyles than you’re used to back home.”
Hennessy’s university in Ireland, University College Cork in Cork, Ireland, is one of NCSU’s partner universities. Other study abroad locations include Seoul, South Korea; Melbourne, Australia; and Vienna, Austria.
“I’ve never been out of the country, so I decided that a study abroad program in Vienna will be great for me,” Casey Bartos, a freshman in bio-chemistry, said. “I either want to double major or minor in German and live in Germany someday, so this experience will prepare me for that.”
According to French professor Dwight Stephens, studying abroad allows a student to see the world from a different point of view and see how others view the world around them. This new perspective allows students to experience different cultures and languages and broaden his or her horizons, according to Stephens.
“I would encourage anyone who is even thinking about a study abroad program to do it,” Ashley said. “Studying abroad was the best decision I ever made.”
