Jensens Challenge Students to Sojourn Abroad

We think international sabbatical is like a study abroad experience for professors. Just like student study abroad, the international sabbatical gives professors an opportunity to see new things, see old things in a new light, meet new people and explore new opportunities, all with the goal of returning to campus with fresh ideas and renewed energy that will benefit the entire university community.

During the ’08-‘09 academic year, we had the good fortune to live in Vienna, Austria. As a faculty member on sabbatical, Karla worked on several projects. For instance, she collected data for the U.S. Presidential Debate Commission (a grand assignment during an election year), gathered information about the assimilation of refugees and immigrants in the Viennese community, revised and created new curriculum, and established relationships with staff, faculty and students, not only on campuses in Vienna, but also with our ISEP partner universities in other parts of Austria and Germany.

Since he is an administrator, Travis was not on sabbatical per se; however, he was able to accompany and assist Karla while continuing the lion’s share of his regular job via email and Skype. We both returned to Nebraska Wesleyan University even more enthusiastic to convey the benefits of sojourning—benefits we excitedly share with our fellow faculty and especially with our students.

As noted, one of last year’s most valuable activities was the excursion to our German-speaking ISEP partner schools where we met their faculty, staff and students, and where we gave presentations about NWU, higher education in the U.S. and intercultural communication. Our hope was that these personal visits would establish international bridges to foster greater exchange between our universities.

We are pleased to report the bridge traffic has already begun to flow, particularly between NWU and Katholische Universität in Eichstätt, Germany. Two NWU students, Jeff Seems and Cait Naberhaus, are currently studying in Eichstätt for the academic year, and two Eichstätt students, Marelene Applesmeier and Sabine Glötzner, are currently studying at NWU. The bridge between NWU and German ISEP schools will also be well traveled this spring by Brittney Hrabik, Brittney Gunther and Scott Hueshen, who will be studying in Eichstätt, Trier and Marburg respectively.

NWU faculty members have built a number of bridges to link NWU with many parts of the world. Did you know in the past ten years alone, Drs. Cypert, Duncan, Erdman, Eaton, Fuess, Hayden-Roy, Iaquinta, Jones, Lester, McClung, Oberst, Paoletta, Patrick, Pokora, Ricuarte, Wolfe, and Young have all shared the many benefits of their international sabbaticals with our NWU community?

Currently Drs. Lori and Bob Fairchild, Dr. Herdon, Dr. McNeil and Professor Michaelis are also enjoying international sabbaticals. Please ask these and other professors about how you too can traverse international bridges alongside hundreds of other NWU students and faculty, and embrace the life-altering experience that living and studying outside the good ol’ U.S. of A. can bring.

Not yet convinced? Consider this tale of two disparate undergraduate students: As an undergraduate, Karla lived abroad for a year—a time that proved to be academically and personally transformative, and something she is thankful for to this day. Karla’s notion to study in another country was piqued and nurtured by her instructors and advisors. In contrast, Travis’s undergraduate years did not include study abroad—something he regrets to this day. It’s not that he was denied the opportunity; it was simply never suggested as a possibility. So from these personal experiences both past and present, we’re here to invite you, to beseech you, to urge you to seriously consider spending a summer, a semester, even a year in another country.

From study abroad deliberation to the day of your study abroad departure, you’ve got a myriad of people on campus to assist you in a variety of ways. As you contemplate classes for the spring semester and beyond, consult with your advisor or visit with one of the professors mentioned above. Talk with one of our current 32 international students who’ve traveled bridges from 14 different countries. You should also make an appointment with Jake Hoy-Elswick, our interim director for international education. He can be reached by phone at 465-2193 or by emailing jhoyelsw@nebrwesleyan.edu. Jake’s expertise will show you how to choose from over 150 universities in 40 countries where nine languages are spoken—and one of those languages is English.

So follow your professors’ collective lead and advice: say yes to expanding your worldview, to creating friendships, to learning or polishing another language, to increasing your self-confidence, to igniting a career interest, to traveling in beautiful locations, to eating delicious food, to countless other benefits. Say yes to a lifetime of stories, memories, and accolades. Say ja, jah, si, oui, tá, hai, ano, igen, da, tak, chai! Say yes, I will travel that bridge.