study abroad – UofL News Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:45:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 UofL grad refines language skills to enhance future patient care /post/uofltoday/uofl-grad-refines-language-skills-to-enhance-future-patient-care/ Mon, 05 May 2025 11:30:19 +0000 /?p=62206 A passion for languages may seem like a rare attribute for a physician, but for Kamal Amirneni of UofL’s Class of 2025, language is an ideal complement to practicing medicine.

“I love the process of learning a language. One word or grammatical structure unlocks a whole array of thoughts and feelings that can be expressed,” he said.

An aspiring physician, Amirneni believes an understanding of multiple languages and cultures will help him connect with a diverse range of patients, whether they speak Spanish, Hindi or his native language, Telugu, spoken in southern India.

Amirneni’s desire to provide compassionate medical care for people from different cultures drove him to complete his Bachelor of Arts in both Biology and Spanish from.

Originally from Aldie, VA, Amirneni solidified the language skills he studied at UofL through study abroad programs in Mexico and India, as well as a medical Spanish immersion program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His experience in a Spanish-speaking hospital environment while in Buenos Aires provided him with practical knowledge that will particularly apply to the medical field.

“Being in a hospital where people spoke only Spanish was crucial for understanding how words are used in real life.Shadowing in another language would only be possible while abroad,”Amirneni said.

The real-life application of his language skills in a medical setting allowed him to grasp medical terms and colloquial language that are essential for effective patient care. The chance to observe firsthand the benefits of public health initiatives in Buenos Aires also inspired Amirneni to pursue public health as well as medicine.

“Being part of Argentina’s public health care system cemented my desire to work on health policy,”he said.

As a result, Amirneni plans to earn a dual medical doctor and master of public health degree (MD/MPH) at the University of Miami. In fact, part of the reason he chose Miami was because of the city’s large and diverse population, which will offer additional immersive experience with multiple languages and cultures.

While at UofL, Amirneni shared his expertise in study abroad programs with other UofL students by working as a peer adviser in the. He also provided academic support for students in biology and chemistry as a structured learning assistant at.

“It’s great to connect with younger students and converting complicated topics into an understandable form,” he said.

He also worked as a substitute teacher for JCPS, where his favorite classes to teach were English as a Second Language. He said the Spanish-speaking students were always excited to chat with him in their own language.

In recognition of his academic excellence, campus activities and community service, Amirneni was one of two seniors who received the 2025 Cardinal Award from the Student Activities Board.

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Commitment to health care equity leads UofL medical student to study in London /post/uofltoday/commitment-to-health-care-equity-leads-uofl-medical-student-to-study-in-london/ Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:55:07 +0000 /?p=59537 Zoha Mian, a third-year medical student at the UofL School of Medicine, has a passion for helping diverse populations achieve equal health care.

“Social justice is at the foundation of why I pursued medicine,” Mian said. “I believe that health care is a human right and that people of all cultures and backgrounds deserve to be treated with equitable, high-quality care.”

This belief has motivated her throughout medical school and inspired her to apply for a master’s degree in public eye care in order to directly impact the health care conditions of impoverished populations locally and abroad. Mian realized her passion for ophthalmology when she shadowed a doctor who provided free eye surgeries and training. Inspired by how a simple surgery to cure blindness could empower someone to get an education, live independently without a disability and pursue their dreams, Mian was dedicated to becoming an ophthalmologist.

Zoha Mian in London
Zoha Mian in London

In May, Mian was awarded a $50,000 Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to attend the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The scholarship is designed for students pursuing a career in an area of great humanitarian need and have a long-term commitment to measurable and sustainable change. Students must be sponsored by a local Rotary club in their place of permanent residence or full-time study.

“The rotary club has a long history of service and humanitarian work, and I found that I shared similar goals with the organization,” Mian said. “As a public eye care master’s candidate, I believe I can gain valuable knowledge and experience to be a successful social justice leader, physician, and policy maker.”

As a future ophthalmologist, Mian hopes to create an equitable health care system for diverse populations. She believes her experience at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will widen her cultural competence and knowledge in research and epidemiology and allow the opportunity to work intensely in preventing detrimental ocular disease.

Mian attributes her award to the support of her faculty mentors at the School of Medicine, Bethany Smith and Susan Sawning, as well as her community involvement during her first years of medical school. During her time as a medical student, she has been extensively involved with the American Medical Association creating health policy. She is the co-founder of Grow502, a professional student-led nonprofit organization aiming to address health care disparities in the Louisville community, and also the co-founder of Physicians for Human Rights. These experiences have led her to live a life of service.

 

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UofL graduate applies modern language education to world connections /post/uofltoday/uofl-graduate-applies-modern-language-education-to-world-connections/ Mon, 09 May 2022 13:46:04 +0000 /?p=56211 Making connections across linguistic and geographical barriers gives Anna Bussabarger her purpose.

“Our world is becoming more inter-connected,” she said. “By learning another language, you unlock the ability to meet and understand others outside your native language.”

Bussabarger has earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing. Numerous dual credit courses from high school, along with heavy course loads most semesters made it possible for her to complete two undergraduate degrees in four years.

This high-achiever now sets out on a new adventure to extend her education in Salamanca, Spain. As a recipient of the Modern Languages Fund Award through UofL’s Department of Classical and Modern Languages, she will engage in a summer immersion experience “which is the next necessary step for me to grow my second language proficiency,” Bussabarger explained.

The scholarship pays the entire cost of the one-month program, making it possible for her to participate.

“I’ve spent years reading about the culture and dreaming, but that’s nothing like living and getting to experience life outside of what’s familiar to me,” she said.

When she returns from Spain, Bussabarger hopes to apply her Spanish language skills to roles in marketing strategy or brand management, ultimately working in an international marketing department at a large corporation.

“UofL really set me up for success from multiple vantage points,” she said. “All of my amazing professors have really rooted for me and cared about my growth, something you don’t hear about from other large institutions.”

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UofL alum carves her own path to increase diversity and inclusion in the environmental field /post/uofltoday/uofl-alum-carves-her-own-path-to-increase-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-environmental-field/ Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:21:12 +0000 /?p=55655 Kenyatta Johnson ’20 moved to Louisville her senior year of high school, and for most young adults, a change during that time can be a tough adjustment. For Johnson, she didn’t feel like Louisville was home.

She started her undergraduate studies away from Louisville, but eventually came back, deciding to see if and how UofL couldalign with her goals of working with the environment in some capacity. When she began college, geology was her major of choice, but it wasn’t offered at UofL.

“When I transferred to UofL, I had to change my major to fit something I was interested in,” said Johnson. “I went to the geography and geosciences department, and that allowed me to see the human side of geology.”

That “human side of geology” became ingrained in the rest of Johnson’s time at UofL. During college, Johnson had the opportunity to travel abroad four times, to Iceland, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal and Belize, meeting and working with people who shared her passion.

Each trip came with a different “human side” of the environmental studies she was studying. In Iceland, Johnson completed a writing internship with others and became a contributor to a book titled .

In Trinidad and Tobago, Johnson traveled with a group from the Pan-African studies department and did an independent study on hydrocarbons. In Nepal, she focused on geosciences and geohazard. Her final abroad trip to Belize allowed her to facilitate an environmental education lesson plan for local high schoolers.

“The first time I studied abroad with a geography internship, I found more passion for the idea of representation in this industry and how humans impact the environment and earth,” said Johnson. “UofL helped me a lot with traveling and studying abroad.”

Just like in college, Johnson is still exploring what this vast field can provide for her and others. As a field ambassador for , a position that was created for Johnson, some of her work includes increasing the diversity, inclusion and outreach for the organization.

“What I do is try to help reconnect and connect young adults and members of underserved communities, specifically communities of color, to explore nature and Bernheim,” said Johnson. “I also want to encourage them to consider green jobs in order to diversify this field. By working at Bernheim, I’m helping to show young adults and children that there can be representation within this type of field.”

Being allowed to show her passion to those who may look like her is just one way Johnson is impacting Bernheim. Her hope is that people also look toward roles like her and recognize that they can be financially feasible and welcoming.

“There are a lot of people and communities not working in this area because they don’t feel it’s welcoming or they don’t see people like them doing the same work,” Johnson said. “It’s important that people realize they can do green and environmental jobs, and those positions are just as acceptable as any other job.”

Johnson notes UofL provided the outlets and organizations she needed to thrive. One such organization was , a program that helps students who are low-income, first-generation, or students with disabilities achieve a bachelor’s degree.

“It was through TRIO that I actually started to appreciate the campus, the city and the college community,” said Johnson. “I had so many resources, whether it be social, academic, or financial. TRIO helped me with the study abroad programs. I give a lot of credit to TRIO because the staff was really passionate about seeing everyone succeed.”

In addition to being a part of TRIO, Johnson credits her level of preparation to professors within her department. The opportunities to study abroad was no doubt impactful, but it took some specific courses to help Johnson with that next step into the professional world.

“In my senior year, my thesis professor was really helpful for preparing me for a career in environment and research,” said Johnson. “We as students learn that research would be a part of our field, but it wasn’t until that class that I truly felt confident and prepared professionally to conduct research.”

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Cardinal graduate builds life-changing connections through study abroad /post/uofltoday/cardinal-graduate-builds-life-changing-connections-through-study-abroad/ Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:01:02 +0000 http://www.uoflnews.com/?p=53287 When Brianna Berry first came to UofL, she didn’t know much about studying abroad.But she had always loved traveling, so she decided to attend the study abroad fair during her first semesterto learn more about theinternationalopportunities UofL offers.

That decision sparkedan even biggerpassion for travel that wouldtakeBerrybeyond UofL’s campus andshape her academic career. It led her tostudy abroad twice(first in San Sebastián, Spain and again inPuntarenas, Costa Rica),andgraduatein 2018withtwo bachelor’s degreesandaminorall during her undergraduate career.

Now,Berryhas earnedamaster of artsin political scienceand plans tocontinueherjourneyas a Cardinal this fall at the Brandeis School of Law on an almostfulltuition scholarship.

All of her travel opportunities andacademicexperiences stemmed from a decision to attendtheSchool of Music.

I knew in high school that I wanted part of my college education to involve music, and UofL’sSchool ofMusic is the best in the state,Berry said.I attended the Governor’s School for the Arts in high school, so UofL offered me the Trustee’s Scholarship.And when I toured UofL, I fell in love with the close-knit feeling of campus and I could see myself growing as a student and community member here.”

Berrydid indeed grow as a student at UofL andearnedabachelor ofartsinmusic,abachelor ofartsinpsychologyandaminor in Spanish,in addition toher participation in two study abroad programs.She decided to first study abroad in San Sebastián, Spain during her sophomore year in 2016 to immerse herself in a Spanish-speaking country and help her earn her degree’s language requirement.

“Because that specific program in Spain offered an intensive Spanish language track that allowed me to take 14 credit hours of Spanish in one semester, I thought that would be the best way for me to effectively learn the language and finish my language requirement for my BA in psychology all at once,” Berry said.

While in Spain, Berry also took a Psychology of Religion and Spirituality class and taught English in two local schools. Her experience in Spain helped her fall in love with the Spanish language and encouraged her to continuehoning her Spanish skillswhen she returned home,eventuallyleading to her second study abroad adventure, this time as a senior in 2018.

“I studied abroad in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, because I wanted to continue my Spanish language education, but I wanted a different cultural experience from what I had in Spain,” Berry said. “This program had a really interesting Central American Literature class that was taught entirely in Spanish. I wanted a Spanish class that would challenge my language abilities and wasn’t just focused on grammar.”

Brianna Berry on Belknap Campus

When she returnedto UofLfromher first study abroad inSpain, Berry decided she wanted to work as a peer ambassador within the Office of Study Abroad and International Travel to help others achieve their study abroad goals and continued her work with the office as a graduate assistant while earning her master’s degree.

Working for the study abroad office as apeer ambassadorand graduate assistant gave me the chance to share my story and helped to grow my leadership, presentation and communication skills,” Berry said.The staff at the office became more like mentors to me, and I’ll always be grateful for my time there.”

Berry credits early planning and the help of the study abroad office andheradvisors for helping her achieve her academic goals.

It definitely was difficult to fit everythingin, butstudying abroad as a sophomore allowed me to have the time to study abroad one more time,” Berry said.I expressed interest in studying abroad to all of my academic advisors and kept them in the loop with all my plans. It takes effort and careful planning, but UofL has tons of resources to make it easier for you.

While fitting in two degreesanda minor, along with two study abroad semesters, earning a master’s degree andgainingentrance into law school are allgreatfeatsto accomplish, Berryisproudest of the connections shemade across the globe and the resiliency she learned through her travels.

Brianna Berry in Kyoto, Japan

I amsoproud of the relationships I have built and grown throughout everything I have experienced,” Berry said.My family has been nothing but supportive, and I now have people from all over the country and the world that I can call my friends.

Studying abroad changes your life in so many ways. It helps you learn how to navigate difficult situations where you might not know what to do and improves your resilience.You learn about cultures unlike your own and you honestly just learn that this world is a much smaller place than we think it is.

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UofL grad student reflects on how a global pandemic affected her study abroad trip /post/uofltoday/uofl-grad-student-reflects-on-how-a-global-pandemic-affected-her-study-abroad-trip/ Tue, 31 Mar 2020 19:34:55 +0000 http://www.uoflnews.com/?p=49947 Editor’s Note: The following is a first-person account from UofL graduate student Cheyenne Hill, who spent Spring Break on a service learning trip in Trinidad and Tobago just as COVID-19 began to proliferate in the U.S. and beyond.

In this last semester of college, I chose to join the International Service Learning Program on a trip to Trinidad and Tobago led by the College of ֱ’s Higher ֱ Administration and College Student Personnel programs. It was an opportunity that I thought I had missed out on during my undergraduate studies. It seemed like the perfect way to spend my spring break: living and learning in a new country, surrounded by peers and the most beautiful scenery imaginable.

During the first couple of days, I was hit by an onslaught of “firsts:”

  • My first international trip.
  • My first time on three planes in one day.
  • My first time eating lobster
  • My first time snorkeling.
  • My first time presenting in front of professionals.
  • My first sunburn of the summer.

Looking back, I realize that all of these things were so trivial compared to what we went on to experience. We unwittingly were in a front row seat watching a pandemic spread across the world.

COVID-19 was in the United States when we set off on our spring break adventure, but it had not gained traction and travel was not yet restricted. So we trudged ahead.

Our goal was to explore the culture of Trinidad and Tobago and familiarize ourselves with the tertiary system in a new country. As young professionals in the U.S. higher education system, we were eager to exchange knowledge and experience with our Trinidadian peers.

During our first few days, we engaged in roundtable discussions with the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute and the University of the West Indies. However, we were met with a level of caution due to the increasing fear of the virus. Instead of handshakes, we were greeted with polite waves and “knocking elbows,” as well as informational sessions on the importance of maintaining distance and rigorous hand washing. In some ways, the lively discussion we expected was hindered by a feeling of uncertainty.

This was in stark contrast to the reception we received at a primary school in the area. The school was affiliated with the orphanage next door in addition to the local community. We came bearing gifts of soccer balls, Cardinal bracelets, stickers, key chains and new books. In return, we were greeted with laughter and hugs. We felt it was much too soon when the kids began dismissing to their homes.

The ride back to the hotel was filled with laughter, exchanging stories of the vibrant children we encountered.

Then, the messages started rolling in. COVID-19 had reached Kentucky, then Louisville. It was unsettling, watching the chaos unfold from so far away. Our little piece of paradise had been tainted by the knowledge of what we would return home to.

Nevertheless, we persisted. We met with students and faculty and listened to their concerns. We focused on “doing more with less.” Their universities were also facing economic struggles and they wanted to provide the best education for their students. We shared with them our experiences in higher education, what events and services had worked, and which hadn’t. They shared with us new ideas to engage our own students. Many of us formed partnerships with our Trinidadian counterparts, making plans to continue assisting them even after returning home.

Meanwhile, the emails from school, work and home kept pouring into our inboxes and it was often overwhelming. What could we do? We were stuck between wanting to return home to our loved ones, and wondering if it was safer that we stay away.

Our fearless leaders simply reminded us that all we could do was wait and listen. And we did. We continued with the activities we had planned, all of which began with a debriefing on the situation as it spread. We were reminded once again, to maintain space, wash your hands, stay safe.

We always knew there was a possibility of being quarantined upon our return but getting the notification that we were prohibited from campus for 14 days still shook many of us. It was suddenly all too real. Glenn Gittings, one of the leaders for our trip, frequently reminded me that our rag-tag team of 11 (seven students and four professors and administrators) was going through this together.

The tension in the air as we landed in Miami, Florida, was high. We were travel weary, hungry, nervous. Where there had once been boisterous conversation, there was now silence and uncertainty. However, something changed as we landed at the Louisville airport. Something familiar and welcoming, despite all the chaos in the world, it still felt like home. I could feel the tension in my shoulders relax, knowing that whatever came next, we would be okay. Even though the trip was over, we were still in this together.

Later, we found out that not long after our return, Trinidad and Tobago began blocking flights in and out of the country. There was a flurry of activity as the nation struggled to gain a grasp on the virus. Only two days before, the universities we had worked with had shut down all activities, resulting in our final session being cut short.

I guess in the end, this trip still was all about my “firsts:”

  • Including my first time navigating a pandemic of this scale.
  • My first time experiencing real fear and uncertainty about what lies ahead.
  • My first time seeing a group of relative strangers turn into family.

And that is what ISLP has done for me. I visited a new country, learning their history and culture. I grew as a professional, participating in some of the most intellectually stimulating conversation in my life. I learned how to have courage in the face of uncertainty. I gained a family of individuals brought together by a shared experience.

Fear did not win out in this experience. Instead, we used education, reasoning and compassion to build on something so profound that I shall never forget it.

And, given the choice, I would do it all over again.

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UofL to collaborate on engineering-focused research with University of Dubai /section/campus-and-community/uofl-to-collaborate-on-engineering-focused-research-with-university-of-dubai/ Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:47:25 +0000 http://www.uoflnews.com/?p=48090 University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi and Provost Beth Boehm recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the president of University of Dubai (UD).

Eesa Bastaki, president of UD, talked with UofL administrators about cooperation between the two universities that will enable engineering students to collaborate and perform research activities together.

Bastaki said UD is especially eager to give its students more exposure to industry. Bendapudi noted UofL’s industry relationships are one of the school’s many strengths, citing a recent partnership with IBM as one example.

“We’re perfectly poised in Louisville,” Bendapudi said. “We have so many opportunities for growth. We will make sure your students have a rich experience.”

Bendapudi said she hoped the agreement would lead to more study abroad opportunities for UofL students.

“People’s minds change when they travel,” she noted. UD is in the United Arab Emirates.

The memorandum was also signed by Emmanuel Collins, dean of the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. Hussain Al Ahmad, dean of UD’s College of Engineering & IT, will sign at a later date. The agreement will be in effect for five years.

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International Service Learning Program offers chance to expand horizons /post/uofltoday/international-service-learning-program-offers-chance-to-expand-horizons/ Fri, 14 Jun 2019 18:10:01 +0000 http://www.uoflnews.com/?p=47250 Editor’s note: This is a firsthand account of an ISLP trip to Croatia during the spring semester, written by Mackenzie Burke, an intern in the Office of Communications and spring 2019 graduate.

Growing up, I never thought I would get the chance to travel aboard. Mainly due to my parents being the protective types. They weren’t even keen on me going to the University of Louisville because they believed an hour away was too far from home. Despite this, I chose UofL. I knew it would offer me opportunities that no other university could provide. So when I learned the International Service Learning Program (ISLP), a program created for UofL students to travel aboard and provide services, I immediately applied to go to Croatia. I saw this as my chance to finally expand my horizons.

When I landed in Croatia, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. My professor Steve Sohn, a ISLP veteran, did tell me and my peers what to expect in Croatia. One of them being how Croatia is smoking country. From adults to teenagers, smoking cigarettes are practically allowed anywhere at any time. This was difficult for me to imagine until we arrived in the first city called Sisak. It was just as my professor said.

As someone who grew up in a nation where smoking is prohibited in many places and has an age restriction, witnessing such a cultural difference definitely threw me for a loop. However, it didn’t offend me. The point of ISLP is to learn about another culture, and smoking is a part of Croatia’s society. Seeing such a difference helped me better understand what it’s like to live in Croatia.

Along with learning about cultural differences, another part of ISLP is to provide services. My group and I were tasked with developing educational activities to teach to Croatian high school students. At first, I was fearful that it would be difficult for us to connect with the Croatian students. We grew up with different cultural backgrounds. I was scared such a boundary would prevent us from getting along. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Croatian students completely opened up to us. They asked us about our culture, and they were excited to answer our questions, too. Some of the students even invited us out to explore the town, allowing us to get to know them better. By our last day of teaching, I had become so close with my students that I got emotional when we said our goodbyes. Luckily, we became friends on social media, so the goodbye wasn’t final.

After our teaching days, my group and I left Sisak to explore the other cities of Croatia including Zadar, Zaton, Nin and Zagreb. Every place we visited was beautiful, but it was my friends who made the experiences unforgettable. It’s amazing to me how I didn’t know anyone at the start of this program, and now some of my favorite moments are goofing around with these wonderful people.

ISLP not only introduced me to another country’s culture, but it also allowed me to form friendships with individuals whom I may have never met on UofL’s big campus.

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UofL’s International Center marks 70 years on campus /post/uofltoday/uofls-international-center-marks-70-years-on-campus/ Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:04:04 +0000 http://www.uoflnews.com/?p=46172 For UofL’s International Center, 2019 is shaping up to be something quite special as it marks its 70th anniversary milestone. The center began in 1949 downtown during a time when the United States’ role in global security and economic and cultural affairs were escalating, post World War II.

According to “University of Louisville Belknap Campus,” written by Tom Owen and Sherri Pawson, when the center relocated to the Belknap Campus, it began facilitating international exchanges, promoted foreign trade, welcomed visiting scholars and dignitaries from around the world, and helped the growing student population feel at home.

In 1970, with financial support from the community, the International Center built its current location behind the Brandeis School of Law. In 1981, it was named for Romanian immigrant George Brodschi, the center’s first executive director, who served from 1949 to 1978.

Now, the center is tasked with multiple obligations as it is split into two offices: the Office of Study Abroad and International Travel, and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The Office of Study Abroad and International Travel sends students abroad to study, research, and participate in internships and community engagement. This office also provides advice on travel regulations and host country requirements, assists with enrollment processes, collaborates with university departments on international opportunities, processes transcripts, and collects faculty/staff international travel documentation and more.

The Office of International Students and Scholar Services receives students, scholars and faculty from more than 100 countries. They currently process immigration documents and provide support for over 1,000 students and scholars each year.

Destinee is one of the 800+ students who study abroad annually through the Office of Study Abroad and International Travel.

As the center marks this milestone, however, Thomas Beard, interim director of International Student and Scholar Services, said what he is most proud of are the students who have been served through the center.

“Many of these students go on to be future leaders within their communities and that starts within this office,” he said. “You cannot quantify the global experiences that this center provides and I believe that these experiences have translated into better leaders, scholars and engaged faculty, staff and students toward their local, national and global communities.Opening up this global perspective to the UofL campus has been the center’s biggest impact.”

Virginia Hosono, director of Study Abroad and International Travel, explains that study abroad not only allows students to see the world and experience different educational systems, but it also affords students the opportunity to use their critical and creative thinking skills while immersed in other cultures. Study Abroad further benefits students’ career opportunities by providing more life experiences and personal connections. Indeed, students who study abroad are two times more likely to find employment within 12 months of graduation. One goal for the Office of Study Abroad is to continue to work closely with other departments on campus to make international experiences an integral part of the curriculum.

Through all of its work, the center’s core objective is straightforward – to improve the world through education, research, outreach and engagement.

The center has hit a number of milestones throughout its 70 years, including:

  • George Brodschi founded the center in 1949 with a vision of having a place where international people, like himself, could call their own.
  • The Board of Trustees appointed Brodschi as the director that same year. At the time, his appointment was for a one-year trial period. The center had two international students – from Peru and Bolivia.
  • In 1950, the American International Relations Club was created to promote cultural awareness among students on campus.
  • From 1959 to 1960, Dr. Brodschi’s long-planned project – a separate building for the International Center – was realized with funds from friends of the IC, prominent builder Maria Pantoja and architect Arthur Tafel. The building was completed in 1970.
  • In 1980, after the building was remodeled into two parts – the International Student and Scholar Services on the top floor and the Office of Study Abroad on the first floor.
  • In 1992, the International Center was at risk of being eliminated due to budget cuts, but because of student protests and an outpouring of support from other universities and businesses, the proposal was dismissed.
  • In 2018, Kimber Guinn, a study abroad adviser, went to Romania for a year to teach English through a Fulbright Award.

For Beard, the biggest milestone remains the actual creation of the center.

“Having a center dedicated to global perspectives is a pretty big milestone and especially in 1949,” he said.

Since 1994, the ISSS office has had approximately 14,648 students come through its doors – an average of more than 90 countries represented on campus each year. And, the number of students who participated in international activities has increased by 200 percent since 2005/06.

“Seventy years is a big milestone and I hope we keep growing as we progress for the next several years,” Beard said.

The center’s goals for the next several years are to simply make “global” a part of UofL’s identity and to find ways in which to bring international and education-abroad students’ voices to the UofL community.

“The center is an integral part of the mission and vision at UofL,” Beard said. “UofL still has much progress to make if we hope to fulfill our mission of inclusiveness. Local and global cannot be exclusive of one another if we are to be ubiquitously recognized as a great place to learn, work and invest because we celebrate diversity, foster equity and strive for inclusion.”

The International Center plans a formal celebration to mark its 70th anniversary in the fall. More information will be available soon.

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UofL student captures study abroad trip with award-winning video /post/uofltoday/uofl-student-captures-study-abroad-trip-with-award-winning-video/ /post/uofltoday/uofl-student-captures-study-abroad-trip-with-award-winning-video/#respond Thu, 30 Aug 2018 19:18:01 +0000 http://uoflnews.com/?p=43698 Kelly Vetter, a senior communications major from Louisville, spent the summer studying at the University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic, as part of UofL’s Study Abroad program.

When she pursued the study abroad opportunity, Vetter had her sights set on Prague because of its central location in Europe and because she heard great things about the city from people who have been there before. Still, she admits it was well beyond her comfort zone.

“There’s a lot of excitement, but it’s also really nerve-wracking. Culture shock is a real threat and I know a lot of us on my trip felt that in one way or another,” she said. “Luckily, this day in age we have so many ways to communicate, so it’s a lot easier to stay in touch with family and friends who you may be missing. The culture shock eventually went away and by the time I was supposed to go home, it was the last thing I wanted to do.”

Her courses were also a challenge. While they were all taught in English, Vetter’s professors were Czech natives, so there was an adjustment period with getting to know how a college classroom runs in the Czech Republic, she said.

“You really learn a lot being in a new environment. You’re left to fend for yourself in a totally new place and I feel like I matured more,” she said. “Of course I learned a lot in my classes, but I learned to have a new appreciation for things that I don’t necessarily experience at home, like meeting new people, living in a really busy city and constantly traveling.”

While Vetter was “constantly traveling” overseas this summer, she spent a lot of time shooting video to capture her perspective of the city and Europe. The video went onto win the Best Overall prize for AIFS Study Abroad Capture Video Contest.

Kelly Vetter

“Before going to Europe, I made a promise to myself to take a lot of pictures, considering other trips and vacations I’ve been on in the past where I didn’t take enough pictures and really regretted it,” Vetter said. “Once I had been there for about two weeks, I thought of taking videos of things, too.”

Vetter recorded video of “anything I thought was cool” with her iPhone, which added up to about 75 total 5 to 10-second clips of scenes all over Europe. She edited the clips and sent them off to the AIFS photo contest.

“I had honestly forgotten that I entered, and a few weeks later, I got the email,” Vetter said. “It made me think I should take some production classes or try and make a career out of this.”

Vetter doesn’t have definitive post-graduation plans at the moment, though she intends on sticking with marketing or communications. For now, she’s content with reflecting on her summer study abroad trip.

“Everything moves differently in other countries and I loved being able to learn in that new and exciting environment,” she said. “I was also able to meet so many cool people along the way who were studying abroad who have become good friends.”

She now considers Prague to be her favorite city and she intends on visiting again within the next 10 years.

In the meantime, check out Vetter’s award-winning video below:

 

 

 

 

 

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