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PARTNER IN EDUCATION

By Jennifer L. Berghom

O mar Nedzelsky, a 20-year-old

junior majoring in biological

sciences at The University of

Texas Rio Grande Valley,

traveled throughout the

United States as a child

with his parents, who were

migrant farmers. Last

summer, he decided he

should see more of the

world. So, he traveled

to London with fellow

UTRGV students for an

English literature course

through the university’s

study abroad program.

“I wanted to take that

leap forward in getting out of my com-

fort zone because I am a migrant, so I

would travel around the United States, but

I had never been to a foreign country other

than Mexico,” said Nedzelsky, whose fami-

ly lives in La Grulla.

Alan Earhart, director of International Pro-

grams and Partnerships, which oversees

UTRGV’s study abroad programs, said

there are many benefits for students to

spend time studying in another country.

“For a brief moment, when you’re

abroad, something happens

where you see the world

through the eyes of

that culture,” he

said. “It’s an

amazing

thing to experience because you realize

that there are other realities out there. It’s a

transformative experience and everyone’s

experience is different.”

Studying abroad can also

help students improve

their résumés, Earhart

added.

“Employers are looking for

people who have language

skills and experience living

and working abroad,

because so many

companies now operate

in an increasingly global

market,” he said.

In addition to studying, Nedzelsky and his

classmates visited museums and other his-

torical sites in London. He also took a side

trip with some students to Paris. He gained

new friends and more self-confidence from

his experience.

“After I came back, I noticed I had more

outgoing personal skills,” he said. “I was

very open to talk to people and be more

active in my classes.”

Nedzelsky said he plans to return to

London this summer on another

study abroad program.

This time he is taking a

creative writing class

there through

UTRGV.

For more information, visit the International Programs and Partnerships in the Office of Global Engagement at www.utrgv.edu/ipp/study-abroad or call (956) 665-3572 or

(956) 882-8955.

Last year, UTRGV had

about 190 students

enrolled in 45 study

abroad programs.

Some of the places students will

visit this year include:

• United Kingdom

• Ireland

• Germany

• Japan

• China

• South Korea

• Peru

• Puerto Rico