Participating in study abroad programs can be a transformative experience for students, offering a chance to immerse themselves in different cultures and broaden their educational horizons. At Florida A&M University (FAMU), students are encouraged to explore these opportunities, and the upcoming Study Abroad Fair will provide valuable insights into accessing such excursions.
Advocates for international experiences, like FAMU students Braxton McMillon and Morgan Muse, emphasize the importance of breaking away from the routine and venturing into other countries. McMillon, a senior business administration student, spent six months at Universidad Del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia. He highlights that only about 5.3% of Black college students engage in studying abroad, compared to 68.6% of Caucasian students, according to NAFSA.org.
McMillon’s experience in a foreign exchange program in Colombia, where he was the sole FAMU and HBCU representative, heightened his awareness of the need for greater diversity in international spaces. The immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment expanded his cultural awareness and prompted a cross-cultural exchange with classmates from various countries.
The transformative impact of studying abroad is evident in McMillon’s career trajectory shift. Initially on a finance trajectory, the experience inspired him to pursue a goal of becoming a United States diplomat, working in U.S. embassies globally to effect change on a global scale.
Muse, a fifth-year professional MBA candidate with a minor in computer science, interned with Merck Biopharma in Tokyo, Japan. She praises the exposure to a different market and work environment, noting the unique challenges of adapting email campaigns to the Japanese market. Despite the overwhelmingly positive experiences, both students acknowledge the financial challenges associated with studying abroad.
While expressing a desire to repeat the experience, Muse emphasizes the need for additional funding to address underlying fees. McMillon echoes these sentiments, emphasizing that the Education Abroad department at FAMU could benefit from increased resources to assist students with financial challenges.
Taking a proactive approach, McMillon initiated the “BNternational” symposium upon his return, offering tips and resources on studying and working abroad. He plans to provide scholarships to students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, and is working on establishing his own non-profit to further support students in accessing study abroad opportunities.
