Director's Message

Message from the Director

Welcome to St. Mary's study and service abroad programs. As you review the many international educational and service experiences St. Mary's offers, you will quickly realize that St. Mary's is meeting the educational challenges posed by a rapidly shrinking and changing world.

Technological improvements and reduced costs in communication and transportation make it increasingly possible for people to travel, make global- and culture-spanning friendships, build careers, and professional and personal lives enriched through opportunities to experience other cultures, their histories and their economic and political ways of life.

The world is also changing in fundamental ways because of economic globalization, political regionalization, increasing social advances and interactions, and growing ecological awareness. Thus, success in your career, and in your personal and professional growth is greatly dependent on the understanding, insights and experience that can only be gained by spending some meaningful time in another country.

Because St. Mary's is dedicated to a life of scholarship, to a liberal arts, interdisciplinary education, and to an extension of service to society, the University has been a pioneer in the development of trouble-free international educational and service programs.

For example, its highly successful undergraduate program in International Relations was first offered in 1953, its first International Business program was offered in 1986, and its distinctive internship and foreign language-based Multinational Organizational Studies was first offered in 1991. Since then, of course, many other international courses and programs have been added, and are will continue to be added as educational needs change, educational experiences become more diverse and available, and resources and faculty become attainable. Essentially, to support these and other international programs, St. Mary's is dedicated to providing undergraduate and graduate students quality overseas programs that will contribute to their educational aspirations while enriching their lives.

Deciding which international program to enroll in is very important, since it can carry with it potentially enormous implications for you, your future career and lifetime aspirations. As you will learn on reading the various program descriptions in this booklet, these options are administered by St. Mary's faculty, thus they meet the rigorous educational standards of academic excellence, quality and safety for which the University is known.

Your decision will be determined by many factors that are unique to you. To assist you in making your choice, St. Mary's has assembled under one cover, not only the descriptions of the many study and service abroad programs, but also the benefits, the duration and the cost of each program. As Director of the Office of International Education Programs I am also ready to assist you in selecting the best international program that will help you personally and professionally, and in the career path of your choice.

Why Study Abroad?

To prepare professionally and personally for a future that will be substantially different from the present requires a broadening of your educational experiences. As reported by the Institute of International Education, some 241,791 U.S. students studied abroad in the 2006-2007 academic year. Over the past decade, the number of study abroad students has increased by over 150%!

Although the places chosen for studying abroad may be as diverse as the reasons for wanting to go there, most students agree on the significant benefits of spending a summer or a semester in a study abroad program. Here are a few observations made by students on returning to campus after a study abroad experience:

• I consider study abroad programs as the epitome of higher education and would have cheated myself if I had not participated in one such program. - London Semester.
• Studying in Europe awoke in me the realization that the extent of my education, or lack thereof, of the world outside of the United States was restricted because of our isolated location. - London Semester.
• Great experience. I learned about myself, others and a wonderful culture very different from our own. I advise everyone to study abroad before they graduate from college. - Spain Semester.
• Just the idea of seeing new things, and being in a different society was amazing.- Spain Semester.
• I met awesome friends, developed close relationships, learned about a new culture, and I know I will go back as soon as I can. - Spain Semester.

Study abroad programs combine the traditional classroom with experiential learning. Students have the opportunity to experience firsthand the culture, history, art, business and everyday life in a host country that otherwise is familiar only through photography or videos. With this direct interaction, you begin to understand the intricacies and complexities of how other people, outside of the United States, think, live and work.

In addition, a study or service abroad program or an internship can open many doors both personally and professionally. By providing a whole new perspective on different cultures, people and the world in general, you will return home with a new level of understanding, and will never be quite the same again. It is certainly a resume builder, and thus can give you an advantage in seeking employment, given the nature and trends in the world today.

What the Office of International Education Programs Can Provide in the Way of Support

With more than 20 years experience and training in different areas, and a deep belief in the value of an international experience, I am able to provide careful, constructive advice and information in the selection of the right program for you. I will guide you through the process, paying special attention to your personal safety, economic circumstances and academic well being while you are abroad. You must, however, plan your study abroad experience at least one (preferably two) semesters in advance, since passports, visas, insurance and other documents such as medical records may be needed.

St. Mary's University study or service abroad programs are generally less expensive than other study abroad programs, and the application process is much easier. However, if St. Mary's existing programs are not suitable to your academic needs, the Office of International Education Programs, through its library of books and brochures can provide you free of charge with a wealth of information on many other short- and long-term programs all over the world. You may access these materials by visiting the office during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Chaminade Tower, Room 105, or by appointment.

Taking the First Step

After reviewing the different study and service abroad programs offered by St. Mary's, please obtain an application form from the Office of International Education Programs, and make an appointment.

Minita E. Santizo, Director
Office of International Educational Programs
Chaminade Tower, Room 105
Phone: (210) 431-4308
Fax: (210) 431-4382
msantizo@stmarytx.edu