TERRAPIN

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University of Maryland Education Abroad

Credit: Carly Jimeson

Globalization calls for students

to study abroad
Study abroad is not just about seeing the world; it is
about becoming an active part of it.

College graduates with international experience and

cross cultural communications skills are more competitive
for potential jobs due to globalization.
Globalization is the integration and interaction
between nations businesses, people and government. The
introduction of new technologies and ideas in the 21st
century increased international integration for the next
generation of job seekers. Dr. Moira Rogers, the executive
director of Education Abroad at the University of Maryland,
believe that study abroad provides students with the ability
to thrive in the globalized world.

Students abroad in Northern Ireland learn about the

conflict between Catholics and Protestants.
Credit: Gry Brndum

Global competency is a needed skill for graduates.

Rogers explains, We live in a world that is interdependent
and interconnected. Diversity will affect you and be
present in everything you do. Studying abroad is a way for
American undergraduate students to develop skills for the
globalized job market.

Some people believe that globalization will erase

cultural differences. Its not true, it has strengthened
them, Rogers said. The cultural peculiarities still exist, and
humans maintain different perspectives and expectations.

An engineer without cross

cultural skills is a lost
engineer.
Study abroad raises awareness of other cultures and
promotes diversity. International experience is not about
gaining technical skills but gaining perspective. The
ability to shift ways of thinking is very valuable in an
environment that is constantly changing, Rogers said.
An engineer without cross cultural skills is a lost
engineer, Roger said. Awareness to the needs of those
around is a skill gained during study abroad. When working
as a team, it is important to be able to see from the
perspective of your team members.
Some schools mandate a study abroad experience for
undergraduate students. Rogers worked at one of these
schools and she says that study abroad is not a good option
for every student. Some students are financially unable to
go and others cannot leave home for the extended period
of time. For this reason, these schools offer a domestic
cultural program for students that are unable to go abroad.
Studying abroad is increasing at Maryland, with 1,730
undergraduate students studying abroad during the 20122013 academic year. Rogers relates increasing participation
to the awareness of the study abroad experience. We are
committed as an organization to diversify, not only who
goes abroad, but also locations and types of programs,
said Rogers.
For more statistics on study abroad, see Quick Facts
on page 3.

Table of Contents:
Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Globalization and
Study Abroad

Maryland-in-Copenhagen

The Triple Offender

Stay Connected

Meet the Advisor

Quick Facts

Intern Abroad
Resources

Spotlight: Maryland-In-Copenhagen
Spend a semester studying Scandinavian culture.

Maryland-In-Copenhagen is a
abroad because of their majors to
University of Maryland collaboration
have the opportunity.
with the Danish Institute of Study
The collaboration between
Abroad (DIS). Nicole McDermott, the
Maryland and DIS is successful
Education Abroad advisor for the
because many of the courses offered
program explains, It differs from
are accepted as resident credit. This
other programs because we do not
means they can be factored into GPAs.
have Maryland professors on-site.
DIS has already mastered the art of
Field Studies and Practical Experience
Copenhagen study abroad.
The courses at DIS are smaller

DIS is an accredited
and more engaging than typical
university for American students
college courses. They are designed for
studying abroad in Copenhagen.
students to interact with the learning
They have the best on-site
material in a practical way.
support and coordination
Students travel internationally
that I have seen in
with their professors to
DIS
any program, said
learn more about their
has already
McDermott. This
program of study. The
mastered the art of international field
assistance is ideal
for students who
Copenhagen study trip reinforces what
need a high level
students are learning.
abroad.
of support, but
For example,
also works for
students in the
- Nicole McDermott business program
students who are
independent.
travel to London, the
leading financial center
Courses Offered
for international business, to
Maryland-In-Copenhagen
visit various companies and
offers courses in fields that a lot of
learn about the strategies of
other international programs do not
successful business.
offer. DIS courses widely vary and are
The DIS curriculum
taught by professionals in the field
also has two week-long
through hands-on experience.
breaks during the semester
Maryland-In-Copenhagen
for students to travel
tends to attract a lot of pre-medical
independently or join an
students because it offers biology
optional study tour with
programs, said McDermott. The
DIS. These travel weeks
variety of courses allows students
encourage students to explore
who do not typically consider study
Copenhagen on weekends.

Credit: Carly Jimeson

Home in Denmark
The most important aspect of
study abroad is cultural immersion.
Denmark is recognized as the happiest
nation in the world and MarylandIn-Copenhagen encourages students
to discover why. DIS offers a range
of housing options, programs and
clubs to introduce students to Danish
culture and help them adjust to life in
Denmark.
Within weeks students are biking
through the streets with the ease of a
Dane, enjoying lunch at Grd in the
Glass Market and attempting to speak
Danish. Luckily adults in Denmark are
the best non-native English speakers
in the world, so students can ask for
help wherever they go.

DIS students relax with the Danes at Kongens Have.

Credit: Kate Hovda

Meet the Advisor: Nicole McDermott

She is the advisor for all the Scandinavian programs and exchanges.
McDermott studied in the Middle East and Latin America.
She visited Copenhagen to attend an international educators workshop with DIS.
There she was able to learn about the support system in place, sit in on classes and see the facilities.
She stayed with a Danish host family during her visit.

I really like this program because they take care of their partners, but they take even better care of their students.
If I was an undergraduate and knew about DIS, I would do this program.
nmcd514@umd.edu
(301) 314 - 9708

The Triple Offender

Kaitlin Paddy, a senior at the
University of Maryland, has spent two
semesters abroad and will study in
Australia this winter. She partipated
in Destination London in the fall of
2011 and studied in Viterbo, Italy
for the spring of 2014. Paddy is very
capable of providing insight into the
study abroad experience.
What do you wish you had known
prior to your first semester abroad?
I wish I knew how important
it would be to get involved with
local events in London and try to
meet locals as often as possible. I
wish someone had told me that it is
important to branch out and meet
new people besides other American
students in my program.

How did your first experience

shape how you approached your
second semester?
When I went abroad the
second time, I kept in mind that
I wanted to meet as many Italian
locals as possible to perfect my
Italian. I was more involved in the
town by volunteering at the local
high school and meeting with a
language partner. I met so many
Italians and felt more cultural
immersion.
Would you recommend studying
abroad multiple times to other
students?
Absolutely! I will remember my
semesters abroad for the rest of my
life. I hope every student studies
abroad, either for a full semester or
short-term.

Paddy on a tour of Southern Italy last spring.

Credit: Kaitlin Paddy

I was able to learn about two

completely different cultures and have
amazing adventures for an entire year.
I love being able to call two foreign
cities my homes and cant wait to add
a third.

Q
U
I
C
K
F
A
C
T
S
Source: Institute of International Education
Credit: Carly Jimeson

Connect with Education Abroad:

@umstudyabroad

University of Maryland
Education Abroad

@umdeducationabroad

Resume Booster: Intern Abroad!

Internships are an important part of the
Another Maryland student, Michelle Likier, had a
undergraduate learning process. They provide students
six-month internship in Prague with the Czech National
with networking opportunities, new skills and experience
Library. She received the internship through networking
in their job field. These benefits are amplified when
with her professor.
internships are completed abroad.
A big part of it is seeing how much you can succeed in
Dr. Moira Rogers, executive director
another country, Likier said about her internship.
Make
for Education Abroad at the University
Going abroad encourages students to discover
connections
of Maryland, said that she expects
their potential.
and talk to poeple
an increase in internships and
Likiers advice for future students
entrepreneurial programs through
interning
abroad is to make connections
everywhere.
study abroad in upcoming years.
and talk to people everywhere. Networking
If you have internships abroad and
abroad has produced other international job
- Michelle Likier
apply against someone with no internships
offers for her, as well as created friendships
abroad, you have the advantage, Rogers said.
in countries throughout Europe. Any internship
Mike McGovern spent a semester as a sports
can build connections for future opportunities, but
marketing intern for Sports Impact, Inc. in London.
international internships will expand the scope of the
McGoverns internship was an optional part of his study
connections.
abroad program, Maryland-In-London. He said that one of

the benefits of interning abroad is learning about a new
When searching for internships abroad,
culture and the cultural differences in the workplace.
look for opportunities beyond a specific
The way British coworkers interacted and worked
Advice
major. The skills learned through
for the Job
together was different than McGovern had experienced
international internships are applicable
no matter the circumstance and crossover
Search
before. Interning abroad creates open-minded individuals,
professions.
which maximizes efficient teamwork skills.

Resources for Study and Internships Abroad:

Education Abroad Office

University Career Center

Global UMD

National Scholarships
Office

3122 Susquehanna Hall

(301) 314 - 7746
educationabroad@umd.edu

3100 Hornbake Library

(301) 314 - 7225
careercenter.umd.edu

3101 Susquehanna Hall

(301) 405 - 8535
globalmaryland.umd.edu

2403 Marie Mount Hall

(301) 314 - 9458
scholarships@umd.edu

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