Like many, Darby O’Kane, a senior business administration student, went into a study abroad information meeting with her friends having no real intention of signing up.
However, after she impulsively put her deposit down, O’Kane said there was no turning back.
After completing the Italy 2016 summer abroad program, O’Kane said she gained a renewed respect for different cultures and wants to continue traveling in her future.
“I want to get my degree and travel now. I would love to work for a global company one day,” O’Kane said.
Study abroad is only one of the many programs offered at Monmouth for students to travel outside of the country.
Monmouth University not only provides students with the opportunity to study long-term in a different country, but, there are also more short-term programs that students can take part in if they want to travel.
Kristin Inzana, a healthcare provider on the Global Experiences’ Alternative Break Trips, spoke highly of the programs Monmouth has to offer to all students.
“Whether the student is traveling with study abroad or through Global Experiences and volunteering their time, they have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of different cultures and situations that other countries may face,” Inzana said.
Rianna Rea, a business administration graduate student and recent Spanish language graduate from Monmouth, took full advantage of the travel opportunities that Monmouth has to offer.
Rea studied abroad in Australia during Fall 2015 and has also been on alternative break trips to Guatemala and Haiti.
“The Alternative Break and study Abroad Program are two core programs that made my Monmouth experience so amazing,” Rea said.
But, of course, there’s more. Dr. Chris Hirschler, Department Chair and associate professor of the Health and Physical Education department, also offers a Public Health trip to Guatemala.
Jalize Canela, a senior Biology student, went on this trip during Spring break of 2015 and has since traveled with Corey Inzana, International Student Advisor, and the Global Experiences’ Alternative Break Program to Nicaragua and Haiti.
Canela says the trips have help shaped her future career goals and couldn’t imagine not going abroad.
“I want to continue to travel to developing nations for the remainder of my career. Once I become a physician in the future, I want to work with the United Nations and organizations like Doctors Beyond Borders to deliver healthcare in impoverished areas,” Canela said.
Monmouth students and faculty work together to be able to provide opportunities to travel outside of the country in hopes of education and growth for Monmouth students.
Values like these are some of the core reasons that Dr. Sue Starke, associate professor of English, has seen develop on a trip to London that she lead along with associate professor Dr. Jeffrey Jackson in March 2016.
The two professors took a team of about 14 students to London for a literature based trip.
“Travel makes something you’ve studied in the abstract, like literature, much more concrete,” Starke commented.
“When you can see the places like the Globe Theatre or the Assembly Rooms at Bath, where the authors lived, or the streets the characters allegedly walked on, everything becomes more meaningful and memorable,” Starke said.
Any students interested in traveling during their time at Monmouth should keep their eyes open for opportunities around campus and in their student e-mail or apply to study abroad through the MU portal.
Students can also visit the Global Education Office located on the first floor of the student center.
On the importance of traveling during college, Kristin Inzana said, “Upon graduation, a student who has had the opportunity to travel in college will have the ability to connect with people of other cultures at their new job or while they are furthering their education.”
PHOTO COURTESY of Jalize Canela
