UST Spotlights Life-Changing Study Abroad, Exchange Experiences in 2024–25

Taking advantage of a study abroad experience while in college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Through international partnerships, University of St. Thomas-Houston opened global doors for 112 Celts to utilize UST-sponsored group studies abroad and individual exchange programs in 2024-25.

"Students who have studied abroad often say it's their most unforgettable college experience," said Dora Zhang, M.Ed., Director in the Office of International Services and Study Abroad. "While exploring the world, you not only gain the global perspectives and cross-cultural competence that employers value but also discover your intellectual and confident self. Students are really able to live out what St. Augustine said, 'The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,' and that's a wonderful benefit for our students."

Abroad Experiences to Remember

Dr. Gabe Villares and Dr. Albert Ribes-Zamora in the Department of Biology led 20 Celt pre-med students in research on human anatomy in Costa Rica. Dr. Ribes teaches them about health care systems from around the world, learning about the similarities and differences in each system and they get to experience first-hand the healthcare system in Costa Rica by shadowing physicians at different hospitals and clinical settings in San Jose. Dr. Villares teaches the lab component where students get a broad review of anatomy to prepare them for the lab component in Costa Rica.

"We partnered with medical schools and health universities in San Jose to offer our undergraduate students the unique experience of learning anatomy using human cadaver dissections guided by the instructors from these institutions," Dr. Villares said. "This cadaver lab opportunity is one that few undergraduate students in the U.S. ever experience before going to medical and dental schools."

Dr. Villares said this experience is a real standout during the interview process for medical school.

"This has been a transformative experience for many of these students," Dr. Villares said. "We have heard from several of them that many medical school interviews actually asked about their Costa Rica study abroad program. We know that this study abroad program has life-altering effects on our UST students as they begin their journey into the field of healthcare."

The abroad opportunities at UST are vast and unique to the UST mission. Others include:

• Dr. Anne Gichuri (School of Education) led a group of graduate students to Kenya to learn about Kenya's education system and perform community service.
• Dr. Ulyses Balderas (Department of Economics), Dr. Jo Meier-Marquis, and Fr. Eduardo Rivera, CSB (Campus Chaplain) led a pilgrimage on the Camino a Santiago.
• Dr. Balderas and Dr. Meier-Marquis guided an additional group to Puebla, Mexico as part of their International Studies and Psychology courses on sustainability and service.
• Dr. Tera Torres (Pragmatic Studies) led two groups, a mission to Costa Rica and a Pragmatic Studies group to Belize for a third year.
• Dr. Corrigan (JPII Institute and Polish Studies Program) led students to Poland to deepen their studies and walk the paths of St. Pope John Paull II.

Ending the summer programs was the first UST - Allbritton Art Institute Study Abroad to Rome and Florence. Led by Dr. Francesca Guerri (Department of History), 20 students were immersed in the study of art history in Italy.

Celts also engaged in individual semester exchange mobilities to sister universities in France, Spain and Taiwan.

Firsthand Perspectives on Life-Changing Abroad Experiences

UST's MAX Studios released a series of videos featuring UST students who studied abroad and a student sharing her exchange experience at UST.

• Anime and Cultural Immersion In Tokyo w/ Elijah Hinojosa
• Exploring Yeats and the Emerald Isle w/ Gabriela Clinton
• Dual Citizen Comes Out of Her Shell in Spain w/ Sofia Manega
• Pura Vida and Blue Zones w/ Paige Odenbach
• Finding a Home Away From Home in the Drama Dept. w/ Nina Theriot Valdez

See these videos to hear firsthand what a study abroad experience is like - around the world.

Generous Scholarships, Funding

One of the leading barriers to a study abroad experience for students is cost. UST was able to provide nearly $225,000 in additional study abroad scholarships this past year. This was due to various sources including generous benefactors that share a passion for international education and contributed to the Celt Study Abroad Scholarship. Federal grants received by Dr. Gichuri and Dr. Hans Stockton provided additional support for Kenya, The Camino and Costa Rica programs. The Italy program received a significant grant from the Albritton Art Institute that reduced the cost for all 20 students by more than 40 percent thanks to the leadership of Ms. Dodi Holland, Executive Director and COO of the Allbritton Art Institute.

Through the Mandarin Center of UST and Wenzao Ursuline University, a collaboration between the two universities, six Celts received nearly full scholarships to study Mandarin at Wenzao Ursuline University for three-six months. Additionally, a Taiwan Studies Grant from Taiwan's Ministry of Education, now in its 11^th year, has provided scholarship support for studies in and about Taiwan. Directed by Dr. Yao-Yuan Yeh in the Department of International Studies & Modern Languages, both programs have provided for more than 16 years of recurring student and faculty exchanges with a sister institution.

"The Mandarin Center funded by the Ministry of Education (Taiwan) and local community supporters provides BEST Huayu Scholarship for UST students to study Mandarin in Taiwan from eight weeks to one year," Dr. Yeh said. "The scholarship covers tuitions and support some basic living expenses for UST students in Taiwan. Such financial supports empower more possibilities for the UST students in their respective future.

Dr. Yeh can speak to and celebrates the value of study abroad for our students.

"As a scholar who grew up in a different country, I can vouch the importance of study abroad and its effects on the development of the whole person," he said. "Exploring different cultures and bridging communications are essential experiences for a fruitful future."

To learn more about Study Abroad, schedule an appointment with the Office of International Services and Study Abroad here or reach out to Director Dora Zhang at [email protected].