STUDENT LIFE
Why To Study Abroad This Year
Besides the opportunity to study abroad this year in places such as Dubai and Berlin, The Office of International Studies and Programs gives 10 reasons why studying abroad while in college is a great opportunity for growth and exploration.
1. Experience a Foreign Culture
Experience first-hand a vastly different language, cuisine, currency, and social interactions. Learn the very ways of day to day life. It will open your eyes.
2. Improve Your Second Language Skills
The only way to truly absorb a new language is to use it and engage with those who speak it best. Plus, if it is one you’ve studied it will make all those long hours pouring over a book well worth it.
3. Explore Your Own Heritage
There is something extremely enlightening about truly understanding where your roots are. Learn more about your family and also about yourself. You will also build a greater appreciation for your culture and sense of pride.
4. Pursue an Activity You Wouldn’t at Home
Go running with the bulls (or watch safely from the sidelines), climb a mountain, zip-line through a forest. These are all things you may never again have the opportunity to do.
5. Learn How to Communicate Across Cultures
Becoming a diverse individual especially across cultural lines makes you a very invaluable person.
6. Become More Independent
Without mom and dad to fall back on, you will grow exponentially and provide for yourself in ways you didn’t think possible.
7. Manage Your Own Finances
Everyone has to learn to budget their money at some point, getting a head start especially with a different currency will put you ahead in life.
8. Increase Your Employment Prospects
Work experience may look great on a resume, but employers want people who have a global mindset and are connected with the world.
9. Form New and Rewarding Relationships
Form friendships with those you travel with and unlikely ones with people who are native to the country. These friendships are the ones that truly touch you.
10. Network for Your Future
While abroad, intern or work part-time and begin expanding your networking connections for the future.
UNIVERSITY
KINGSVILLE (September 12, 2012) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s commitment to providing educational opportunity, promoting community service and facilitating high-quality research has earned the university a place among the top 100 universities in the nation, according to Washington Monthly’s September 2012 College Guide.
In one year, Texas A&M University-Kingsville rose nearly 125 spots to 56 on Washington Monthly’s list—the highest the university has placed on the rankings. Last year, the university ranked 180. A&M-Kingsville is one of only five Texas universities included in the publication’s top 100. Also included in the Top 100 are Texas A&M University, University of Texas, University of Texas-El Paso and Rice University.
The Washington D.C.-based publication distinguishes itself from other national college guides by measuring selected indicators that contribute to the public good. The complete list ranks 281 universities from across the country. Equally-weighted criteria include:
- Social Mobility—measures university efforts to recruit and graduate low-income students.
- Research—measures university utilization of research expenditures, production of innovative scholarship and number of doctoral graduates.
- Service—measures how effectively a university emboldens students to give back to their communities and their countries after graduation, including through ROTC and Peace Corps.
A&M-Kingsville ranked 3rd in the nation in the social mobility category.
“Being one of only five Texas universities included in Washington Monthly’s Top 100 rankings is a remarkable honor,” said A&M-Kingsville President Dr. Steven Tallant. “These rankings are based on criteria that are paramount to our mission as an institution of access and opportunity. We strive to provide a quality education to all our students, while emphasizing research opportunities and encouraging a strong sense of service. This type of national recognition is validation that we are preparing our students to be successful and to become leaders in their communities.”
According to Washington Monthly, the goal of their rankings is to focus attention on service-oriented schools. First published in 2005, the list differs from other top university rankings by developing a different set of criteria to rank universities than those of traditional college guides such as U.S. News and World Report. The list then ranks institutions based on how they give back to their community and country. The College Guide also ranks the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges and master’s colleges.
The magazine’s full report, including the rankings and explanation of methodology, can be found on theWashington Monthly web site at www.washingtonmonthly.com.
