Photo provided by Angelica Valencia.
Over 350 students attended the Study Abroad Fair, an event to introduce students to the opportunities available to learn in a different part of the world on Sept. 17 in the Tech Pride Room. The fair provided information about programs, financial aid, the application process and allowed students to meet other students who have studied abroad, Amy Miller, assistant director of study abroad, said.
“I believe that study abroad is important because it’s good for a person to experience other world perspectives,” Miller said.
Students interests may choose from hundreds of options when deciding on programs, Miller said.
Options include full academic year, one semester, summer semesters, January terms, one to six week terms, faculty-led trips and exchange programs.
Senior electrical engineering major Angelica Valencia went on a faculty-led trip to France for 10 days with the College of Engineering in May.
The group visited parts of France, including the hometown of Gustave Eiffel, French civil engineer who was best known for the Eiffel Tower.
“We went to Dijon, France, which is where Eiffel was born and he had designed other parts there,” Valencia said.
Additionally, the group learned about the construction of the canals, swinging bridges, the general architecture and the aqueducts in Paris, Valencia said.
“Who wouldn’t take an opportunity to see another part of the world?” Valencia said.
Students interested in studying abroad should first look at the website and get an idea of what country they want to go to, what length of time and what programs are available in their major, Miller said.
Students can make an appointment with Miller through TechConnect to start the application process.
Certain study abroad classes count toward the new international studies minor. To add this minor, students should consult with their adviser, Miller said.
“We got it approved in the spring, so it’s effective right now. It’s through the foreign language department and so six of the hours have to be foreign language related and the other nine hours can be anything international related,” Miller said.
For more information go to tntech.edu/studyabroad.
