The University of Texas at San Antonio: UTSA study abroad office is offering the students multiple opportunities that comprise more than 20 university-led programs to be taught by dedicated faculty and staff. These faculties are experts in offering unique academic experiences abroad.
The UTSA students who seek to study abroad can explore these study abroad options being offered by the university. To eudcate the students about the many study abroad opportunities available to them, the study abroad team of UTSA regularly offers online Study Abroad 101 sessions and Navigating the Study Abroad Application sessions.
The History professor Catherine Nolan-Ferrell at UTSA will take a group of students on an educational experience in Oaxaca, Mexico, this summer with support from the U.S. Department of State.
“Students are getting skills that help with a job search and graduate school applications, but more importantly they’re learning a respect for different cultures, an openness to seeing the world through different perspectives,” said Nolan-Ferrell.
UTSA Study Abroad Programs Details
The five-week trip to Mexico is open to students of all majors. The participants will attend classes at the Universidad Autónoma de Benito Juarez de Oaxaca (UABJO) in Oaxaca City, will stay with host families, and participate in community-engaged learning programs. The students will get Spanish classes, if they are fluent, they will study Zapotec, an indigenous language spoken in the area. The faculty members will work with the students to design individual research projects tailored to the students’ field of study and interest.
“Language learning is an important part of the experience. When we go someplace, learning the language is a sign of respect. Any time you get a chance to break down barriers between people, you’ve got to do it,” added Nolan-Ferrell.
Financial Assistance available for students
There are several financial assistance options offered through Federal aid programs including the Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans. The Study Abroad Office at UTSA also offers its own internal scholarship – the International Education Fund with awards in the range of $300-$1,500. There is the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to give valuable international experiences to a wider and more diverse group of students. It is a federal program.