One of the Signature Learning Experiences at Elizabethtown College is studying abroad, as it is considered a cross-cultural experience. It is emphasized as an option for any student who is interested, and even past that is often encouraged for many majors. Many students have never even left the country, so leaving all they know behind can seem unthinkable. However, the time outside of the area they are familiar with allows students to expand their understanding of the world and themselves. With each experience studying abroad comes unique challenges and triumphs for the students.
Jaime Ramos, the Study Abroad Advisor, explains the benefits of studying abroad past just the experience of being able to do it at an affordable cost and being at a school that actively encourages it. “Whatever degree you work in, it’s important to have perspective. And I think perspective can only be gained when you put yourself in an area that you’re not familiar with and that’s really what study abroad does. It’s supposed to teach you how to be comfortable in an area that you otherwise would not be.” said Ramos.
Considering that, students have a lot of questions before making a commitment to study abroad. One way the college already addresses that need is through the Study Abroad Team and Department that are in Nicarry. A multitude of departments here on campus depend on their student workers to help other students during their time at college. Since 2022, Study Abroad has been one of those departments when Ramos came to Elizabethtown after his own experiences abroad and as a student at Elizabethtown College.
The students who work alongside Ramos were picked for their skills and experiences abroad, and how that could relate to the wider student experience. Layla Murphy has been on the team since her study abroad experience in 2022. Alyssa Eckstein, the newest member of the team this year, started working with the office following her study abroad experience in Spring 2023
Murphy is the social media manager and one of two study abroad peer advisors alongside Eckstein is an occupational therapy major. As a social media manager, Murphy runs the Study Abroad Instagram and takes pictures at related events. Since she’s a digital media production major, this helps her hone the skills she will use in her professional field. Eckstein, as an OT major, can relate to and understand a lot of the OT specific students who want to study abroad and have a more immersive experience in Italy rather than being in a city.
The idea of having a team for study abroad rather than an advisor alone makes sense for the mission of study abroad. The peer advisors can give perspective that a faculty or advisor alone cannot and give their personal experience based on where they traveled. It may be intimidating to talk to an authority figure, but with talking about studying abroad through a student, students can ask all the questions they realistically have about budget, what to bring, and any other issues crossing their mind.
Overall, though, the team encourages students to stop by the office during the study abroad process. “go[es] off an open-door policy. And even if my door’s closed and I see a student, I can normally kind of just pause the meeting quickly and talk to the student. Because sometimes it’s something they want to know right away, and I understand that,” said Ramos.
Murphy echoed the idea of using the office as a resource. “The main thing is that everyone wants to help you. Any small idea you have, we want to make that happen if we can. People should feel open to come in. We really want to help people study abroad and travel,” said Murphy.
For those who want to get in contact with students and/or Jaime Ramos, their contact information is on the Study Abroad section of the Elizabethtown College website. Students can directly schedule an in-person or Zoom appointment with Jaime Ramos. Additionally, students can email either of the Study Abroad peer advisors or visit during their office hours, which are Tuesday through Thursday 2-4 and Fridays 12-3.