Broadening Horizons
“Studying abroad completely changed the trajectory of my life.” — Victoria Learman, ’20. Photo courtesy of Victoria Learman, ’20
Study abroad experiences can profoundly impact students in the best ways possible. These experiences can shape and redefine career paths while fostering significant personal growth.
Whether navigating the streets of London or immersing oneself in the cultural fabric of Spain, the underlying theme of Ball State University’s study abroad programs is the same: Exposure to diverse cultures and educational settings broadens perspectives and fosters a deeper understanding of the world, which can lead to a fulfilling career and meaningful life.
Recent shifts at Ball State make these invaluable educational opportunities even more cost-effective and inclusive. By aligning the costs of these programs with the costs of on-campus semesters, the University is opening doors for students who might have previously thought studying abroad was beyond their financial reach. This inclusivity extends to various demographics, including students of color, first-generation college students, and those with high financial need.
Evolution of Study Abroad Programs
The London Centre program, where students spent a semester in London, England, learning from Ball State faculty and other local universities, concluded in 2013 after many successful years. Despite its valuable impact, the program faced increasing costs and participation challenges, leading Ball State to explore more affordable and accessible study-abroad opportunities for a broader range of students.
The latest program offerings from Ball State’s Study Abroad Office focus on more affordable locations with living costs comparable to Muncie’s. This strategic shift helps make study abroad opportunities financially viable and accessible to a broader range of students.
One example is the introduction of the BSU-in program, with its first iteration being BSU-in-Puebla. Offering a semester of Ball State courses with University faculty in Puebla, Mexico, the cost of the program’s is comparable to an on-campus semester at Ball State, including housing and meals.
The BSU-in-Puebla cohort boasts significant diversity, with more than half of the students being of color, first-generation students, or those with high financial need.
Focusing on accessible, diverse, and cost-effective options enables more Ball State students to pursue global educational experiences. This approach is paying off, as the number of students able to participate in study abroad programs rose from 109 in the 2022-23 academic year to 310 in the next academic year—a 184 percent increase.
Foundation for a Lifelong Career
Participating in the London Centre program as a graduate student was the turning point in the life of Chris Musick, ’83 MA ’90. Through this program, Mr. Musick took classes taught by Ball State faculty, and visiting professors from prestigious institutions like Cambridge University and the Tate Gallery. Attending those classes and frequent travels to cultural sites, plays, and musicals enriched his understanding of European history and sparked a lifelong appreciation for the arts and culture of all kinds.
Chris Musick visiting Petra, a historic and archaeological city in southern Jordan known for its architecture and water conduit system. Petra is also called the “Rose City” due to the color of the sandstone from which it is carved.
His study abroad experiences became the foundation of his lifelong career. He served as director of international programs at the University of Texas at San Antonio and later at the University of Mary Washington. He also served as assistant vice president for international programs at Chatham University in Pennsylvania.
“I fell in love with international education, and it became the driving force in my life. It set me on a career path that propelled me for the next 30 years,” Mr. Musick said. “I’ve traveled all over the world—in every continent except Antarctica—and have lived in eight different states while working at several universities. I know if it weren’t for Ball State, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this.”
Year in Spain Impacts Life Trajectory
Victoria Learman, ’20, says her experience studying abroad was genuinely life changing. During the 2018-19 academic year, she spent her junior year in Granada, Spain, through the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). Ms. Learman decided to immerse herself in the Spanish language and culture because she wanted to learn another language and had an inherent wanderlust for Europe.
Ms. Learman’s experiences involved personal connections as well as academic growth and cultural immersion. She met a lot of people, many of whom are among her best friends today.
Ms. Learman, now an Arizona resident, is a business development representative at CEA CAPA Education Abroad. In her role, she works directly with students to help find study abroad programs that meet their needs and interests. It is work that Ms. Learman finds deeply fulfilling.
“Studying abroad completely changed the trajectory of my life,” Ms. Learman said. “I would not be doing what I am doing now, nor would I have known all the possibilities in this field if I had not studied abroad.”
