CU promotes study abroad programs | News

Creighton University’s Global Engagement Office launchedits series of informational sessions regarding their study abroad opportunities with Creighton in Japan. Despite always hosting general informational sessions on their study abroad programs, which are accessible every Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the Global Engagement Conference Room, this is the first year the Global Engagement Office is implementing periodic meetings that are focused on a specific country within their large roster of study aboard opportunities and partnerships.  

The new series launched on October 25. 

 “Going to these sessions kind of helped me realize and write down what I wanted out of my [study abroad] program, and I think it’s a good way to help students narrow down their options,” Peer Ambassador and Heider College of Business senior Joey Sullivan said. 

 Within these informational sessions, students can gain additional knowledge about the process of studying abroad. By attending informational meetings touching upon enrollment and participation in their International Student Exchange Programs (ISEPs) or their Creighton-In programs, students, through a peer ambassador, will gain a deeper knowledge of what is required by them to prepare for such a transition. This includes a step-by-step process of how to enroll, when applications are due and how to meet with their study aboard advisor.  

 “It just kind of gives you a general overview of what study abroad is, how to study aboard through Creighton, and it tells you about the application process. But yeah, it’skind of like a general overview of everything, and…we recommend everybody who’s interested in study abroad…[to] come to those [informational sessions],” Peer Ambassador and School of Pharmacy and Health Professions student Grace Cifuentes said.  

At the informational sessions concerning specific countries or universities, students engage in conversation with peer ambassadors, students who have previously attended the university or gone abroad to the country through Creighton, or with students from the specific university or country who are currently studying abroad at Creighton. Furthermore, all informational sessions include a slideshow filled with information and photos of the experiences and testimonials of past students that have studied abroad. 

“I think the general [informational session] is good for people who maybe don’t know where they want to go or don’t really know anything about study abroad,” Cifuentes said. “But if you kind of already know where you want to go and you just want to talk to people who’ve been there or want to know more information, I feel like the country-specific ones are really helpful because then you can actually talk to somebody who’s lived there…or is from that country.” 

As peer ambassadors, Sullivan and Cifuentes are responsible for meeting with prospective study abroad students and speaking with them regarding the Global Engagement Office’s programs and processes. They also provide anecdotes of personal experiences, advice or encouragements to guide the students inthe direction towards their desired program.  

“It is good to kind of go over options. I always have fun talking with students about all the cool places that they can go. So, either way I think it’s a cool thing to do,” Sullivan said. “And when I was applying, I remember going to the Getting Started session and talking to the peer ambassadors about where I could go, so it’s cool to be on this side of things now.”  

Both Sullivan and Cifuentes studied abroad during their time at Creighton University. Sullivan studied in Scotland at the University of Glasgow during the fall semester of his junior year through the Creighton-In Program, and Cifuentes attended Masaryk University in the Czech Republic through Creighton’s ISEP Exchange Program during the fall semester of her sophomore year. With many memories, experiencesand new friendships to take as souvenirs back home, both seniors recommended that all students consider studying abroad as a way not only to better enrich themselves culturally but discover new things about themselves through new opportunities and environments.  

“I think [for] any program in general, studying abroad is such a good way to learn more about yourself through exploring other cultures. I found out a lot out about … just how powerful learning about other people and other cultures is, and I learned a lot about what is important to me … things like travel and just exploring new things,” said Sullivan. “It was a great way for me to get out of my comfort zone, and it’s … a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because once you graduate and get a job, there’s not really an opportunity for you to go abroad … it’s such an amazing experience.”