By: Brittany Price

If it is such a small world after all, why not try and experience all of it?

The world is vast and magnificent in all its beauty and majesty. 

It is full of different people, cultures and experiences just waiting to be observed. There are limitless lessons to be learned by going out and placing ourselves in a foreign land.

Western offers all of its students an opportunity to go out and explore all of the lessons this world can reveal. The study abroad program is a terrific way to get a taste of things the classrooms cannot always teach.

Head of the study abroad program, Tammy Norris, has been a part of Western and its successful trips since 2013.

Ever since then, 99 Western students have studied in places such as China, England, Scotland, Norway, Iceland, India and Ireland.

“It is really exciting to see people before and after they have travelled overseas,” Norris said. “It is an experience you just can’t describe; you just have to do it.”

The program’s goal is to get at least 100 students involved in study abroad. The trips vary in lengths, some lasting a few weeks while others last a full semester.

However, trips are as not expensive as one may think because financial aid can assist in the expenses.

Spanish professor and founder of the study abroad photography contest, Dr. Miguel Rivera-Taupier, said the study abroad program can improve cultural learning experiences outside of the classroom.

“There’s many things I can teach in a classroom, but there are things that [the students] learn when they are in that place and when they interact with different people in that community, there’s no substitution for that,” Rivera-Taupier said.

Most trips include preparation and learning before and during the experience.

Norris said that studying abroad can also bring more opportunities after graduation for students.

“Studying abroad really gives you a leg-up in the business world,” Norris said. “If you can deal internationally, then you are a more serious candidate for certain positions.”

Western offers a chance for students to study in new and interesting places while getting their degree.

Adventure awaits, but don’t keep waiting!