2008 Woodie Awards
Overseas studying provides new opportunities
By Kacie Peterson
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Focus
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But what if that college experience didn't just take place on the campus of Slippery Rock University, but in a different country altogether?
If students can proudly state they have spread Rock Pride worldwide, there's a good chance they were a part of the university's study abroad program.
Senior finance major Brennan McMahon and senior biology and marine science major Rebecca Pike are just two of these students.
McMahon studied at the University of Limerick, located in Limerick, Ireland, during the spring 2007 semester, and said he went for the Irish cultural involvement.
"I studied abroad because it's something I have wanted to do since I was a freshman in high school," McMahon said. "I wanted to see if I could function in a different country for an extended period of time and learn as much as I could about Ireland."
Pike studied at the University of Wales at Aberystwyth in the United Kingdom, also during the spring 2007 semester.
"I wanted to go to an English-speaking country, first of all," Pike said, "so I looked at Australia and Ireland, but a lot of people went to Ireland and there wasn't a lot of information on the Australia Web site. But Aberystwyth had a lot of information and so I (decided to go) with a friend."
Pamela Frigot, the director of international services at SRU, said that McMahon and Pike are two of the about 300 students that Slippery Rock sends overseas every year.
"At the moment, we have 31 students in academic semester programs," Frigot said. "All are in European countries, except one, who's in Australia."
There is a mix of students in the program who go for their major, or like McMahon, for the benefits of expanding cultural awareness, Frigot said.
SRU has academic semester programs set up at 19 schools in 16 countries, with England and Slovakia having multiple schools.
For summer study abroad programs, there are 10 different countries available.
The most popular places to study for SRU students are Ireland, Wales, Australia and Spain.
Frigot said she hopes students who participate in international programs gain "a broader worldview and understanding of how the world is changing (and) how their life and career will not be segregated by the corner of the United States or world that they are living in."
"An overseas experience will be great in helping students learn about themselves, their capabilities, and how to navigate and thrive without the usual support system they have built in the U.S.," Frigot said.
Senior psychology major Shannon Plesh, who also studied at the University of Wales at Aberystwyth in the spring of 2007, as well as Pike, both know a thing or two about stepping out of their comfort zones.
Pike didn't have a cell phone overseas, so she said she wrote e-mails, letters and postcards to her family and friends in the states.
She said that being forced to adapt to a new environment and finding her own niche was a better part of the trip because "you find things out about yourself."
Plesh, who said she is very close to her family, also said studying abroad was an experience that forced her out of her comfort zone.
Luckily the senior had a Pay-As-You-Go phone from an English service provider that allowed her to keep in touch with her family.
"It was two pounds a minute to hear my mom's voice," Plesh said. "But it absolutely saved my life, and it (helped me) keep my sanity."
The idea of studying abroad may have already occurred to many students, whether it is for cultural enrichment or to expand the knowledge about their major.
Either way, McMahon, Pike and Plesh all highly recommend it.
"Not only would I recommend it, but I would encourage students to sell their car, take out loans, and sell their soul to do it," McMahon said.
Plesh agreed.
"They were friendly to international students (at Aberystwyth)," Plesh said. "When I first got there, they helped me find my room and I wasn't afraid to introduce myself. And if you needed help, they would help you."
McMahon said that the University of Limerick campus was similar to those on American campuses with the long lectures and very serious students.
But at the center of the university was a huge pub that was always "busy with students and professors socializing, live music and all sorts of other activities," McMahon said.
McMahon also said he will never forget the experiences he had while in Ireland as a student, and that he's a better person because of them.
"I gained some of the best friends I'll ever have," McMahon said. "Not only do I have friends in Ireland, but I have friends that I still regularly talk to from all corners of the country. I am more independent, more focused, and I'm prepared to take on damn near any challenge in front of me."
Though some students may think studying abroad is a semester off, McMahon said he worked hard during his time at the University of Limerick.
"Contrary to popular belief, I wrote lots of essays and read just as much academic literature-if not more-than I would have in a regular semester at SRU," McMahon said. "A lot of people doubt Ireland (is a good experience), but it's the most beautiful place I have ever been, and there are no nicer people in all the world."
Plesh said her studying abroad adventures can be summed in just a few words.
"The last five months of my life," she said, "(were) quite an experience."
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