Going International!

GOING INTERNATIONAL!
International programs one of the more important programs on North Carolina A&T’s campus is known for sending a good amount of students abroad, to maximize their global growth and make them more educationally competent. Director, Dr. Minnie Battle Mays speaks on the process interested students should work through and the unforgettable life long experience gained after studying abroad. This interview was conducted at the international programs office on Friday Oct. 2nd. Read more on what Dr. Mayes had to say.


Giancarlo Spells: Where is International Programs Located?

Dr. Minnie Mays: We are located slightly off campus in the CH Moore Agricultural Research Facility at the corner of Lindsay & Beech Streets.

GS: What are international Programs and what is its purpose for A&T students?

MM: The purpose of International Programs is to provide a way for all students to be exposed to opportunities to become globally competent. The Office of International Programs (OIP) does this, in a way that supports the academic programs if the university, by providing co-curricular activities for students and the university community. OIP does this through three channels:
• Study Abroad: providing students the opportunity to study in another country and culture;
• Global Awareness Programs: OIP organizes a series of events and programs, including speakers, on campus throughout the year to provide global awareness for all. Our primary event is International Education Week held during the third week of November annually.
• Global Studies Certificate Program (GSCP): GSCP was created and is administered by OIP as a way to encourage global competency. Students who earn the Certificate, have demonstrated their ability to adapt and function on a global level, by taking two prescribed courses (Introduction to Global Studies and the Capstone Seminar in Global Studies) and two elective courses that are global in nature and by earning a minimum of 6 credits overseas. Upon graduation they are presented with the Global Studies Certificate and a sash to wear at graduation, made to resemble the flag of the country where they earned their credit abroad and with a patch that say “Global Scholar.” The Certificate is designed to accompany an A&T degree in any discipline. It can improve a student’s chances for employment and graduate school.

GS: What should students have before pursuing studying abroad?

MM: Students should have a strong desire to be challenged culturally, socially and linguistically before pursuing a study abroad experience. The main reason to study abroad is to learn, first hand, about another culture and its social norms. Often, this means learning another language – another great reason to study abroad. Many people have difficulty learning a language out of context. That is, without having to use it outside the classroom. Study abroad immerses the student in the use of the language and often results in a degree of fluency at the end of a semester. However, even if the student is studying in a country where the language spoken is English, the accent will be different and may pose a challenge, and the use of many words will be different from the way we may use the same words.
GS: How often are the study abroad information meetings?
General Information Sessions are held every Monday & Thursday at 2:15 and every Friday at 12:15. All students interested in studying abroad must begin by attending one of these sessions. Additional sessions are arranged as necessary so we encourage students who cannot attend any of these sessions to call the office to request another time. The General Information Session provides an overview of the many options available for A&T students to study abroad and how to proceed. It ensures that students make informed choices about their study abroad.

GS: How early should students start preparing for studying abroad and why?

MM: We begin providing information for students at freshman orientation. The earlier a student decides he/she will pursue study abroad, the more time they will have to apply for outside scholarships and to determine which courses they will take abroad. Several majors at A&T require students to take only electives abroad. These students need to study abroad before their junior year while they are still taking electives.

GS: What are the main changes you see in students (if there are any) when they return from studying abroad?

MM: We see tremendous changes in students after they have studied abroad. If they were timid about venturing into new territory, they are now confident. If they thought they had limited resources here, they often return realizing the tremendous opportunities they have here and how little they truly utilize these resources. They return with a greater sense of purpose and a greater awareness of themselves. In this clarity of purpose, sometimes students return and actually change their major, or focus within their major, to pursue an area of study that they discovered interest in while abroad. They have learned skills that include: adaptability; independence; and flexibility.

GS: Would you recommend a study abroad experience and why?

MM: I recommend study abroad for all students who truly want to call themselves globally competent and knowledgeable – and this should include every degree seeker. We live in a world that is more interconnected than many people realize. What better time to get to this experience than during the 4 years you spend getting a college degree. It will never be more affordable and accessible than then. At OIP we help students identify study abroad opportunities that best meet their academic, financial and personal needs.