For student Eli Nichols, studying abroad at the Steger Center for International Scholarship this semester has provided really good practice “getting comfortable being uncomfortable” — whether with new people, new cultures, and new experiences.
What he didn’t count on, though, was having to get comfortable being center stage in front of the entire university.
Nichols, a human nutrition, foods, and exercise major, and political science major Emily Barcalow took part in a live interview from Switzerland with President Tim Sands during his annual State of the University Address on Feb. 7.
During his talk at the Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg, Sands focused on Virginia Tech’s global distinction, access, and affordability.
Before speaking with the two students, he described how experiences such as studying abroad are part of the broader educational opportunities that help Hokies “develop workplace skills and networks that are strong predictors of success after graduation.” He explained how the success of one of the university’s priorities, Virginia Tech Advantage, will be measured by an increase in students’ access to experiences such as studying abroad.
Barcalow and Nichols are both participating in the Presidential Global Scholars program, which encourages interdisciplinary and innovative plans of study to help students become global citizens. Even though they arrived at the Steger Center only three weeks ago, they were already able to share stories of growth, learning, and connection.
To underscore the importance of this type of experience and the reason the university has set goals to increase study abroad access, Sands invited Barcalow and Nichols to describe, in real time, the impact studying abroad was having on their education. The students spoke with the president remotely from the Olivio and Lucy Ferrari Library at the center.
“Going back to Blacksburg, I am going to be able to use these new skills in adaptability and communication that I’ve used in countries where I don’t know the language,” Barcalow told Sands.
After the address, Barcalow, who was traveling for the first time outside the U.S., said: “I wanted to gain skills in adaptability, and communication and wanted to learn more about other cultures. This experience has provided all that and more.”
She and Nichols described how earlier that same day they had taken a short train ride from Switzerland to Como, Italy, where they toured the city with Italian Professor Valentina Dodi as part of their regular Italian language class. It was Nichols’ first time in Italy, but, as he hinted during the interview, it wouldn’t be his last. He and his classmates are preparing to travel to Naples and Pompeii to see firsthand what they have been studying in class.