Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad can help students in the College of Education develop a more comprehensive vision of their academic goals and objectives.  In addition, the experience will have a significant impact on the lives of those who take advantage of the opportunities.

Studying abroad:

• Embarks you on a journey of lifelong learning
• Forever changes how you understand yourself and your view of our global community
• Enhances and enriches your language and communication skills

In selecting a program that is the “right fit,” College of Education students who study abroad will enhance their professional opportunities, and validate decisions about their major choices.

Benefits

Whether you are a major in Applied Learning and Development, Athletic Training, or Kinesiology and Health, you can have a rewarding and educational experience from going abroad.

Some of the benefits include:

• Opportunities to develop an understanding of the implications of cultural and linguistic diversity for school success
• Opportunities to meet sport executives and visit many sport venues, along with the many other attractions in the region
• Opportunities to gain first-hand experience of the language and culture of many of the future students you will teach
• Opportunities to learn and understand international health policies and practices

Funding

With proper planning and flexibility, the cost of studying abroad can sometimes be comparable to the cost of studying on campus.  Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Financial aid can be applied to approved UT study abroad programs, and loans may be available to help cover costs.
• Special study abroad scholarships are available through the University. Remember to start saving early for initial expenses such as a passport and plane tickets.
• Consult with a study abroad advisor about costs and available resources to meet them.

Staying on Track

• By planning ahead, most students can study abroad for at least a semester without delaying graduation.
• Although not limited to these, typical requirements that students receive credit for when they study abroad include visual and performing arts, language, and cultural diversity.
• Studying abroad is not recommended during your graduating semester.  Students should consult with their academic advisor for more information.
• Remember that students in the College of Education pursuing a teacher certification may have some time-line limitations.
• Meet with an academic advisor regularly to discuss your plan, and to determine how your credit will be applied to your degree.

Maymester in Guatemala

"The study abroad experience is living what you have always read about in books and seen in movies. Get out of your comfort zone and experience something new, you won't regret it. In the few weeks I've been abroad my view on life has changed for the better, yours can too."

Glenn Vargas - Guatemala 2012

This program introduces students to the complexities involved in studying the multiple cultural, social, economic, and linguistic factors that influence how people of diverse backgrounds learn. The Sociocultural influences on Learning course, taught by a UT faculty member, primarily explores the relationship between schools and the larger society as related to diversity. The program devotes substantial attention to issues in education throughout Latin America, in Guatemala, as well as issues affecting immigrants from Latin America to the US.

Outside of the classroom, students visit schools, develop and deliver ESL lessons to Maya children, explore Maya villages, and stay with a host family. Students take a second course in either Spanish or a Mayan language taught by a local faculty.

Location

The program takes place at Casa Herrera (built in 1680), one of the original houses of colonial Antigua and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described as a colonial jewel, Antigua is a unique example of preserved colonial architecture and culture. Antiqua’s mountain views, courtyards, cobblestone roads, make it an ideal setting for living and studying in Latin America.

Maymester in Leeds

"I took the KIN 350 Maymester, Sport and English Society, in Leeds, England. It was by far one of the best decisions I have made in my college career. The accommodations at Leeds Metropolitan gave us a great feel the student life in England. Dr. Carrington designed a lesson plan that not only challenged us but broadened our view on sports impact on societies. We were able to go deep inside the complex cultural issues being shown through English sport and then bring those techniques back to Texas. Being a sport management major its vital to understand the sociological issues in sport such as how sport affects communities, or the issue of social classes in sport. We also took great many field trips, such as visiting Lord's Cricket Ground in London and Old Trafford in Manchester. I also had time to travel with a few classmates all over the U.K. stopping in Edinburgh and Dublin. Through the course I was able to gain new friends from my class and natives to the U.K., and also create fantastic memories that I know I'll never forget."

Patrick Pena, Kinesiology and Health Education - Sport Management

Sport occupies a significant place within English society; from the centrality of cricket in helping to shape the British empire, to the importance of soccer (‘football’) in promoting the varied national identities within the UK and Northern Ireland, to the ways in which women and racial minorities have used sport to achieve social mobility and recognition, sport remains one of the most important ways to understand the changing nature of English society in the 21st century.

The course is located in Leeds, a diverse metropolis, known for its culture and sporting teams. Given this unique location, the Maymester enables students to explore the internal divisions around class and region that are central to understanding English identity, particularly the tensions between ‘the north’ and ‘the south,’ as well as discover the origins of American football and baseball. Program activities include sporting events and cultural venues.

For more information please see Maymester program details.

Exchange Program in Oxford

"I studied abroad during my undergraduate studies in my early twenties. In my late forties, during post- baccalaureate studies, again I went abroad. Both trips allowed me to see more than I ever could have figured out by staying home, talking to others, and reading my head off. I feel highly enriched by my travel experiences. They make life interesting".

Chris Rhoads

The University of Texas Study Abroad office in coordination with the College of Education, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, has established an Exchange Program with Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom. This rigorous science – based program offers our students the opportunity to earn KHE major course-work in this dynamic and historically significant location

Oxford Brookes University is a premier learning and teaching institution that is widely acknowledged as the UK’s leading modern university for ten years running (Sunday Times University Rankings). With nearly 19,000 students enrolled on a wide range of disciplines across the three main campuses, Oxford Brookes is a vibrant and exciting place to study abroad.

Location

Oxford Brookes University is situated 50 miles from London in the beautiful city of Oxford. As one of the world’s great student cities, Oxford is a great place to live and study, as it is big enough to offer something for people of all interests, yet small enough to feel welcoming and accessible. If you want to visit London it’s only one hour away by train and there are also cheap, frequent buses to and from the capital, and Heathrow and Gatwick airports, which run 24 hours a day.

Getting Started:

1. Think about what you want to accomplish abroad, for example: language study, coursework in your major, professional contacts, or cultural experience. 
2. Attend a study abroad information session http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad.
3. Talk to your academic advisor to discuss your priorities, the optimal semester to study abroad, and the kinds of classes you can take abroad (e.g., core or major requirements, electives, etc.).  Consider going abroad early in your college career, even as a freshman.

What Next:

1. Review the Study Abroad Office’s online database of program options to identify the best programs for you.
2. Meet with a study abroad advisor to discuss specific programs, the application process, courses offered, credit transfer, cost, funding for study abroad, housing and travel-related questions.
3. ;Finalize your program choice with your academic advisor and study abroad advisor.
4. Prepare a financial plan.
5. Apply by the UT deadline.