May 2005

Studying abroad expands students' horizons

Student Michelle Sandhoff, left, who spent a year studying in Egypt, talks with second-year student Erica Gallegos, who is interested in going to a Spanish-speaking country. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

Aggies are broadening their minds all over the world, learning new languages and immersing themselves in rich cultures through UC Davis' many education abroad opportunities. And while these globe-trotting students are getting a new perspective on life, they are also earning credits toward graduation.

The Education Abroad Center helps connect students with a variety of study options, from an academic quarter to a summer to a full year in a foreign country. Close to 1,000 UC Davis students will study in one of 35 countries this year, according to Peter Schiffman, a geology professor who serves as faculty director of the EAC.

Schiffman says he knows firsthand what studying abroad can do for a student. In 1971, he left his home to spend a year studying at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. "I did it and it changed my life," he says. "It turned me into a person who has a world view of things."

Dollars and time

As faculty director of the center, Schiffman spends a lot of time battling what he sees as two misperceptions about studying abroad: that the cost is prohibitive and that it sets students back in their graduation timeline.

He and others say that while costs vary widely from country to country, studying abroad is comparable to studying at UC Davis and note that because students are still enrolled at Davis, they are eligible for financial aid.

Schiffman says that while interest in studying in Europe is still strong, students are increasingly choosing Asia and the Middle East as study abroad options.

As far as staying on target for graduation, he says the key is for students to plan ahead and to work closely with advisers to make sure that requirements are being met. All courses UC Davis students take while abroad on EAC programs count towards graduation, and most are designed to fulfill specific general education, language, and degree requirements for majors or minors.

Emma Ryen is currently spending a semester studying French literature and history at Bordeaux University in France. The graduating student, who is majoring in English and French, says adjusting to life at a foreign university was challenging at first, but she has settled in nicely.

When not studying, the Davis native travels as much as possible. She has already visited Madrid, Barcelona, London and Paris. "It's been the most amazing blessing to be able to go to all of these cities that have absolutely no equivalent in the states," she says.

Gaining confidence

UC Davis alumna Sally Ryen recently visited her daughter in France and says she was struck by her daughter's self-reliance. "It really has heightened my admiration for her, and I think the experience truly gives kids a huge boost of confidence," she says.

Senior Michelle Sandhoff also speaks of the confidence she gained while in the Education Abroad Program. A Sacramento native majoring in international relations, she spent her junior year studying and learning Arabic at the American University of Cairo in Egypt.

Sandhoff says the experience of living in a Third World country made her feel blessed to be an American, but also opened her eyes to the many stereotypes Americans have about people in the Middle East.

And while Ryen says studying in France is a little more expensive than living in Davis, Sandhoff says Cairo was actually much less expensive than Davis.

Sandhoff was so impressed with her trip that she now works as a peer advisor at the EAC, encouraging other students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad.

"I truly believe it's one of the most valuable experiences you can have in college," she says.

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