Did you know that Brenau University offers scholarships that can cover the cost of study abroad programs? In collaboration with the Miller Institute, Brenau students are able to choose different programs that stretch over the fall or summer semester.
Over the 2023-2024 Academic year, the Miller Institute has traveled to different countries such as Rwanda, Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal, and Spain exposing students to different cultures, allowing them to get hands-on experience in their given fields, and give back to the community.
In countries such as Panama students had the opportunity to spend a week in Panama working with administrators, educators, and students in the remote school of C.E.B.G Loma Bonita possible because of a partnership with the Panama Ministry of Education. Through this program Brenau students were able to raise funds in order to give back to this community through the purchase of school supplies and computers.
The Miller Institute was created in February of 2022, thanks to the dedicated work of Pete and Cathy Miller. It facilitates study abroad programs and other international programming that promotes cultural exchange while bringing other cultures to Brenau University.
Rachel Lane, the Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Affairs, advises international students on their visa statuses and helps coordinate different short term international programs throughout the year at the Miller Institute.
“There are certain things in certain parts of the year where students need different things in terms of what they need for advisement . Towards the end of the semester when people are graduating they’re wanting to know about how to apply for optional practical training which will give them a work permit here in the U.S. for a year,” Lane said.
Brenau students have the opportunity to learn a lot on these study abroad trips in their specific fields as well as related majors. These trips allow them to get real hands-on experience, learn from other cultures, and give back to the community.
According to Lane, in a trip to Loma Bonita, Panama, most of the students were education majors and they had the opportunity to have real hands-on experience working in a rural pandemic school.
“So they might have to think outside of the box on how kids are going to get their learning outcomes,” she said.
Studying abroad programs are about just much more than traveling outside of the country in order to learn they can be so much more than meets the eye. They serve as an opportunity for students to connect with other cultures in the region and as well as a way to give back to the community. If you are interested in a study abroad program for the 2024-2025 Academic year and scholarships that may cover the cost visit this link for more information.
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