Miami, Sept. 1, 2023 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Office of International Education hosted an event to welcome back students and faculty who participated in summer study abroad programs in Australia, Austria, Belize, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Scotland and Spain.
It was the largest group of MDC students participating in study abroad activities since the pandemic. A total of 137 students enrolled in activities of cultural interest, as well as internships, service-learning projects, independent studies and STEM programs held in four continents. For some, it was their first time traveling abroad and/or the first time they ever held a U.S. passport, which they obtained thanks to a program facilitated by MDC last year.
“After a three-year hiatus in mobility programs, Miami Dade College is proud to resume study abroad experiences, marking a significant achievement for both students and professors,” said Samila Sosic, Office of International Education’s executive director. “This renewed opportunity not only rekindles the spirit of global exploration but also underscores the dedication of our institution to fostering cultural understanding and academic growth on an international scale.”
This year’s study abroad activities included:
- Faculty-led programs: Seventy-seven students from various MDC campuses traveled to Italy, Belize, the Czech Republic, Japan, England, and Scotland. Participants were immersed in a variety of historical, cultural, business/economic and academic topics while visiting universities, companies, museums and other relevant sites.
- STEM program in Costa Rica: Four MDC Rising Scholars took advantage of this program facilitated by Fairchild Botanical Garden, supported by a grant from Florida International University’s Latin American and Caribbean Center.
- El Camino de Santiago: Four MDC Kendall Campus students traveled to Spain and embarked on the famous pilgrimage, which leads to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain.
- International Fashion Internships: Two students from the Fashion Institute participated in residencies facilitated by ArtBound Initiative in Berlin, Germany, and Sydney, Australia.
- Independent study abroad program: Three students participated in this program with third-party providers in England, the Netherlands and Spain.
- Psychology major Dianelys Gonzalez studied in the United Kingdom this past summer thanks to a scholarship conferred by the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA).
In addition, MDC’s Office of International Education also celebrated the 13 awardees of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. MDC’s recipients included:
Carlen Arevalo Padron Campus
Aliane Castillo-Diaz Padron Campus
Wendy Chavez North Campus
Jorge Cruz North Campus
Sandrina Delvard Wolfson Campus
Jennifer Diaz North Campus
Ludkasan Fontilus Homestead Campus
Oswaldo Godoy North Campus
Nathaniel Johnson Wolfson Campus
Veronica Navarro West Campus
Elizabeth Ovalle North Campus
Ashley Sabater North Campus
Katherine Yau Kendall Campus
About MDC’s Study Abroad Program
Miami Dade College offers students the opportunity to study abroad in six continents and over 30 countries. Study abroad options include faculty-led summer programs, College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) partnership programs, as well as some select grant and fellowship programs. Financial assistance, including several scholarships such as the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program from the U.S. Department of State are available. Visit: https://mdc-sa.terradotta.com/ to learn more.
For more information, please contact Samila Sosic, Executive Director, Office of International Education at MDC at ssosic@mdc.edu, 305-237-7245.