Going to class while being able to see the hills of Italy outside of your window or having lunch break next to the Eiffel Tower is an idea that appeals to many University of Tennessee students.

Consequently, UT has a flourishing study abroad program that strives to spread culture and diversity throughout the student body. The program offers students various locations to study as well as aiding them in finding the best program for them, even if it is through another school.

Often, the program will have trips specifically tailored to a student’s field of interest. Lindsey Warren, a sophomore, will be studying in Jamaica this summer with the School of Agriculture. “This trip gives me the chance to expand my knowledge on my major in a different kind of environment,” said Warren. Being in another country can give students a new perspective on learning beyond what they are studying in classes.  

You won't be the same when you come back. It changes your life." -Emily Cavendar, previous study abroad student“Studying abroad taught me to be more accepting, I learned so much about other people,” said Annie Croce, a senior who studied in Scotland. “Even more so, I learned about myself and grew as a person.” Studying abroad creates an experience for students to understand what it means to be immersed in a country apart from their traditional one. It also creates challenges that students learn to overcome, such as being in a place where communication might be more difficult. As a result, students come back to the States with a sense of accomplishment. They are able to carry these feelings of worldliness around for the rest of their lives and most can’t resist the urge to return for more, sometimes deciding to create careers outside of the country.  

“I’ve never really had the chance to travel, so what better opportunity than to take advantage of the programs offered to students?” said Travis Miller, a junior who plans to study abroad in the Netherlands. Many students feel the same way. College offers a prime opportunity to visit the world, in which you may never get again.

With programs set up for students and financial aid available, UT has made studying abroad as painless for students as possible. Taking advantage of the Study Abroad program is an opportunity that won’t be regretted. It is rare to find a student who has had the chance to study in another country that doesn’t recommend the experience for others. “You won’t be the same when you come back,” said Emily Cavendar, who spent last spring in England, “It changes your life.”