Texas State Bobcats Interview Fellow Students on Study Abroad

By: Connor Temple
c_t131@txstate.edu

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Studying abroad and internship opportunities have weak outreach in the Texas State University community, especially among freshman.

Photo by: Anahi Hernandez-Rico

Lanita Legan, Associate Director of LBJ Student Center

Lanita Legan is a strong supporter of internship and study abroad opportunities. She believes that there should be more outreach to students and the Texas State University community in general regarding these opportunities.

 "Obviously, there should be more publicity about it. I think that staff, as well as faculty, knew about them then they could encourage students to participate. I firmly believe that an international experience is important and I really think that the internship experience is important," she said. "And I spend a lot of time talking to students that if I knew about those details and specifics, that I could encourage them to participate. So I think especially making sure that the university community knows about them."

Legan is a Texas State University staff member and she believes these study abroad and internship programs give students useful experience.

Photo by: Anahi Hernandez-Rico

Leoness Aguilar , Majoring in business administration 

Studying abroad is more than just snagging some credits while partying in a foreign country. Many students encounter culture shock and have an eye-opening journey.  

"I feel like it gives them an experience outside of just what they're used to and their norms," Aguilar said. "It's like an eye-opener whether it has to do with business or whatever they're pursuing. It's a different culture and experience."

Aguilar believes experiencing new things and different cultures is a good investment in any students future.

(Photo by: Connor Temple)

Skyler Love , Graduate student

Though Skyler did land an internship they left her with nothing but office work. No one taught or guided her showing that some internships are not as beneficial as others.

"I didn't benefit from my internship, if they were willing to show me the ropes I would have benefited more from it," Skyler said.

Sadly after Skyler found the program the time and work she  put in did not amount to much . She ended up leaving the internship with nothing but a credit towards graduation.

(Photo by: Taylor Jacko)

Kristen Scott, Freshman at Texas State

Student outreach for these programs is lacking making many students miss out on a life changing opportunity.

"They need to make it more known to the students so they can go on these trips," Kristen Scott said.

(Photo by: Luis Seijo)

Ceven Johnson, psychology major

Studying abroad is a journey many want to experience but few can afford. This sense of exclusion is felt by more than just a few students and is a reoccurring theme during interviews.

 "I don't think so. Mainly because of money; I think the experience would be cool but because of my financial situation that doesn't really seem possible," Johnson said.

The study abroad program is intimidating to many new college students. Even though Johnson knows about the program she feels there isn't any possibility of it being for her.

taken by  MatthewMasepohl

Bre Gilpin, Education major

Being open to new experiences allows you to widen your perspectives not only on your career but on the world.

“Yeah for sure. Taking classes in a different setting than here you would get more of a wider perspective on your major," Bre Gilpin said.

For more information on study abroad opportunities at Texas State University visit their website at http://www.studyabroad.txstate.edu/.