Introduction
The University of North Carolina at Asheville hosts a Study Abroad office located to the right of the entrance of Ramsey Library, Rm. 100.
There, the Director of Study Abroad, Laura Dobson and her colleague, Assistant Director, Doug Rhein, generally take care of advising two distinct populations:
Assistant Director Rhein is responsible for promoting study abroad trips and for guiding students in case of interest and doubts. Part of his advice for students to study abroad is to help them see clearer and overcome perceived obstacles such as financial obstacles.
On the other hand, his counterpart Director Dobson is in charge of immigration matters for international students at UNC Asheville and providing immigration orientation during the Weeks of Welcome.
She is also responsible for regular opportunities such as social and intercultural engagement.
Events of Study Abroad Week
International Education Week is a shared international celebration period for universities all over the world. The main purpose is to promote student mobility and other forms of international education.
Everything started on Sat. Nov. 15, when international students brought food and went to Ponder Hall for an event known as “Friendsgiving”.
As the name suggests, it involved the group sharing meals and stories together so as to celebrate Thanksgiving together that day since they all went on vacation during actual Thanksgiving.
Then a total of three events occurred on Mon. Nov. 17.
First and foremost, the Study Abroad advisors were collaborating with Western North Carolina and the US Department of State to organize a passport fair.
The goal was for UNCA faculty, staff and students to make an appointment to get a new passport for travel.
In noon that day, weather science Zach Moss who had previously been studying in Melbourne, Australia was giving his presentation to give insights about the Gilman Scholarship and STEM study abroad in Robinson-Rhoades Hall.
At the end of Monday, students could come and learn from fellow students. The latter shared heir stories from different countries each one has been to.
On Thur. Nov. 1, another significant Study Abroad focused event took place at Reed Plaza.
Officially named the Global Ambassadors Social Event, it took place at the end of the morning close to a food truck serving French crepes for lunch and dessert.
The international students and the students who had previously been abroad were standing behind the tables so as to exchange with curious students.
Many were left with questions such as how to choose the right destinations, what kind of travel documents to have, etc.
In the end, those students ended up connecting with the J-1 visa international students, and the latter found themselves talking with each other while eating crepes in a sunny yet cool day.
This was in fact one of the last moments where the international students could connect together before the end of their semester (for most).
The desire for students to study abroad
“Many students are interested in study abroad,” Dobson said. “But they are afraid they can’t do it. The message that Rhein is trying to spread is the fact that perceived obstacles can be addressed most of the time. Plus, study abroad is possible for most student students if they want to,” she said.
According to Dobson, historically 16% of UNCA students went abroad to study for an exchange program. That was the number recorded before COVID-19.
“In addition to the events shown on the flyer, we have the study abroad orientations for outbound spring semester that took place the same week as International Education Week,” Dobson said.
“And there were other globally focused events happening on campus as well. One of them included a lecture from a photographer who visited India and discussed reading photography from other cultures,” she said.
