Head start on heading abroad

PHOTO CREDITED TO: Brittany Belli

            Freshmen at the University of Oklahoma are getting a head start on studying abroad.

Students received information on the topic last week in their Gateway to College Learning classes.

            Brooke Hammer, an Education Abroad advisor, talked about a new program designed specifically for freshmen.

            “We wanted to give presentations in the gateway classes,” Hammer said. “It was an ideal way to get the information out fast and early to the students.”

            Hammer said President Boren asked the Education Abroad department to expand to the classroom.

            “Right now, only one or two out of four students are going abroad,” Hammer said. “After giving these presentations, we hope that number will increase to three out of four.”

            Hammer said the presentation is only eight to ten minutes long, and gives the basics about studying abroad.

            “There’s an ideal trajectory,” Hammer said. “You start short term, like a four-to-six week long summer program, and then work your way up into either a semester long program or a year long program.”

             Freshman Beth Steves is a broadcast major at OU. She said she found the presentations helpful.

            “I had some doubts about studying abroad before,” Steves said. “But now I feel like it is more possible than ever.”

            Steves said she thought the summer programs were especially appealing.

            “I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough time to set aside an entire semester for going abroad,” Steves said. “The summer programs sound ideal because you can get a taste of studying in a new place, but at a more leisurely pace.”

            The presentations started last Thursday, Sep 22 and will continue through Nov 28 inside Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall.