{"id":1043,"date":"2015-11-13T11:52:50","date_gmt":"2015-11-13T17:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=1043"},"modified":"2017-02-15T12:16:01","modified_gmt":"2017-02-15T18:16:01","slug":"global-scholars-on-fast-track-to-world-view","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/global-scholars-on-fast-track-to-world-view\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Scholars on Fast Track to World View"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading time: 3 minutes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Last summer, a group of first-year students began their journey in 91ÖÆƬ³§\u2019s new Global Scholars<\/a> program by studying abroad in Oxford, England. The experience created lasting friendships, and set the stage for their next three years of study.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe program is one of a kind,\u201d says Rebecca Dohrman, PhD, program director and assistant professor of communication<\/a>. \u201cGlobal Scholars responds to the confluence of trends in students wanting to study abroad and high-achieving students wanting an accelerated program.\u201d The program is highly competitive and will accept about 25 first-year students for the next cohort, which begins Fall 2016.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was enchanted by the potential to travel and graduate early,\u201d says Gabrielle Horwitz, who has traveled abroad before. \u201cI love seeing new cultures and meeting new people. The absolute best part of studying abroad was meeting people who have become my best friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the opportunities we get to take and the people we take them with,\u201d says student Rachel Holtzman. \u201cIt was great getting to meet people before moving onto campus, especially as someone who is not from the St. Louis area.\u201d<\/p>\n

“By getting a double major and participating in all of these study abroad experiences, I will be a better candidate for graduate school and have more experience with different cultures.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The students will live on Maryville\u2019s campus for three years, but study abroad for a month during three consecutive summers, which accelerates their program and allows them to graduate early. The first cohort in the academic program began their experience at Oxford University, studying British life and culture.<\/p>\n

Peter Green, PhD, assistant dean of social sciences and associate professor of psychology<\/a>, accompanied the students to London, and taught in the program. \u201cOne of the most amazing aspects of the first cohort was how rapidly they became a tight-knit group in Oxford, and how those relationships continued as they transitioned to their first semester living on campus,\u201d Green says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Global Scholars Program is offering me a chance to study at some of the most prestigious schools in the world, and get a glimpse of the world beyond our own borders,\u201d says student Taylor Tomlin. \u201cI met some of the best people I will ever know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michaela Walker, who had never traveled abroad before, says every day was a new adventure. \u201cThis was an opportunity to start my college experience on a different continent,\u201d she says. \u201cI got to adjust to being away from home and my parents, while also building relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

The summer abroad also helped Cara Rickert become comfortable with the idea of living away from home. \u201cThe experience helped me transition to college,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Along with international studies<\/a>, Holtzman is majoring in psychology\/sociology. She plans to become a clinical psychologist. \u201cBy getting a double major and participating in all of these study abroad experiences, I will be a better candidate for graduate school and have more experience with different cultures,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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