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#UTRGV #VAQUEROCONNECTION
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UTRGV.EDU
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
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