The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business recently celebrated International Education Week (IEW) from November 18-22. The college offered several activities connected to studying abroad, including a passport giveaway, several opportunities to interact with students and alumni who have studied abroad, a study abroad photo competition and a virtual study abroad experience.
Enabling Access to Study Abroad
Haslam’s International Programs and Study Abroad (IPSA) teamed with Haslam’s Office of Access and Community Connections (OACC), UT’s Passport Services office and WorldStrides, an educational travel company, for the passport giveaway. IPSA and its partners assisted 35 students in completing paperwork and applying for passports, which the students will receive at the start of next year. They also covered the costs of the passport applications — totaling approximately $7,425.
Pamela Sanchez, the OACC’s coordinator for retention and education, said her office was thrilled to team with IPSA for this event.
“It is always a pleasure working with IPSA to help fund the passport giveaway,” she said. “Seeing the students light up with gratitude for the opportunity is always my favorite part. I like to believe that by providing free passports, we are removing a barrier that sometimes prevents a student from studying abroad.”
Learning From Past Study Abroad Students
During IEW, students interested in learning more about international education had opportunities to participate in three discussion sessions with several program veterans, both current students and alumni. They heard firsthand accounts of the study abroad experience from those who lived it.
Jada Tun, a rising senior in marketing and international business and a Haslam 1794 Honors and Business Fellows Honors Scholar, participated in an exchange program at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata, Japan, during the 2024 spring semester. She shared photos from her travels and walked interested students through the application process. Tun encourages those interested in studying abroad to talk to students who have completed programs abroad.
“It will make the application process a whole lot smoother and provide answers to questions that the program abroad office may not be familiar with, such as making friends, using the language, navigating the city and activities you can do while you are in Japan,” Tun said.
While the program Tun participated in is competitive, she recommends students apply.
“It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she says. “I got to make friends from all over the world, including Taiwan, Australia and Japan, improve my Japanese language and visit various Japanese temples, shrines and parks, including Universal Studios and Studio Ghibli Museum!”
Tun adds that Haslam offers a variety of scholarships for which she applied, including a guaranteed scholarship for participating in an exchange program, all of which helped her achieve her dream of studying in Japan.
Exploring the World through Student Photographs and Virtual Reality
“Vibrant Blooms of Capri”
The week’s Haslam Study Abroad Photo Contest showcased photographs by students who studied abroad in the past year, with contest winners announced on November 22. First place was awarded to “Vibrant Blooms of Capri” by Kaila Pelfrey-Jones, a senior in marketing, while second place went to “Portrait,” by Muskaan Hameed, also a senior in marketing.
IPSA also offered their popular virtual reality study abroad experience. Through VR, Haslam students “visited” cities around the world, getting a taste of local cityscapes and a feel for what it’s like to walk with locals.
Broadening Students’ International Knowledge
“Porto City Boat Tour”
The U.S. government established IEW to bolster citizens’ understanding of international relations and the nation’s position in a broader global context. According to Lauren Jacobs, director of IPSA, Haslam’s IEW activities align with the government’s goal, building interest in international education and increasing participation in IPSA’s slate of study abroad programs.
“The intent of our International Education Week events are to raise students’ awareness of IPSA’s many offerings and pique their interest in participating,” Jacobs said. “Students can choose from several study abroad programs, ranging in length from a one-week to a full academic year, with destinations in Latin America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Our staff work with students to identify the experience suited to their personal and academic circumstances, guide them through the application process, the program logistics and the visa process and keep them abreast of scholarships that can help defray costs.”
About Haslam Abroad
Haslam Abroad develops and supports highly experiential programs and international opportunities that enrich participants’ overall academic experience through exposure to ways of thinking about and doing business in other countries. Through the IPSA office, Haslam students have a variety of study abroad opportunities all over the world, with programs ranging from short-term and faculty-directed programs to longer semester or even academic-year exchanges. Business study abroad programs are primarily taught in English and available to all majors and collaterals. Learn more about Haslam’s international programs, and begin your journey to studying abroad today.
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CONTACT:
Scott McNutt, business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu
