When sophomore Renee Giron steps off of the plane in Berlin at the end of this month, it will be her first time on international ground.<\/p>\n
Giron and eight other 海角直播 students will travel to Europe this summer as part of the university\u2019s Sophomore Experience Abroad.<\/p>\n
The unique study abroad trip engages students and helps build skills they\u2019ll need during a year of transition, self-discovery and decision-making.<\/p>\n
The trip was created as part of UCF\u2019s Academic Advising Enhancement Program. Last year, seven students traveled to Germany and Austria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program is designed without classrooms,\u201d said Christopher Cook, the academic advising coordinator who created and leads the program. \u201cThe students spend their day-to-day activities engaged with the people, culture and history around them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Participating UCF students meet prior to their trip to discuss expectations for themselves as well as the program. They also learn about ways study abroad can benefit academic and career opportunities.<\/p>\n
In 2010, researchers concluded after a decade of documenting academic outcomes from the 海角直播 System of Georgia that students who study abroad have improved academic performance upon returning to their home campus, along with higher graduation rates. They also found that study abroad helps the academic progress of at-risk students.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Sophomore Experience Abroad itinerary includes a visit to the Czech Republic and stops at places such as the Munich Opera and the BMW Museum. Traveling students also will collaborate with German students to experience cultural exchange through partnerships with the German-American Institute in T\u00fcbingen and Amerika Haus in Munich.<\/p>\n
\u201cChris designed the trip and our assignments to incorporate important skills like intercultural communication, confidence and interaction with others,\u201d said Giron, an accounting major. \u201cFor example, we\u2019re giving a presentation to German students and will have to use public speaking skills to articulate what our education system is like to people who are not familiar with it.\u201d<\/p>\n