Study Abroad Program Awarded Grant by U.S. State Dept.

UNT Dallas is the only college or university in North Texas to receive a 2024 grant from the U.S. State Department for its Study Abroad Program.

The IDEAS grant aims to expand international education opportunities for American students. The Department of State recently announced that 37 grants totaling nearly $1.3 million were awarded to U.S. colleges and universities through the 2024 Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program. UNT Dallas received $35,000.

The State Department funding will enable UNT Dallas and 36 other higher education institutions across the country to create and expand study abroad programs that align with U.S. foreign policy goals. These programs will provide international experience for American students to develop new knowledge and skills that will serve their future careers and capacity for leadership.

COURTNEY QUOTE HERE

This summer, six students are participating in the UNT Dallas Student Abroad Program, visiting Rome, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain. The cost for each student is about $6,000-8,000, including tuition and fees, housing, meals, international insurance, cultural activities, and overnight excursions.

Airfare, passports, and personal spending money are not included in that amount. Several scholarships are available to UNT Dallas students who apply for the Study Abroad Program.

“I wanted to immerse myself fully in the Spanish-speaking environment, and I did just that,” said Jesstyn Baker, a UNT Dallas [senior?] who studied in Barcelona during the summer of 2023. “I’m eternally grateful. Spain taught me exactly what I wanted to know and do in the future.”

VIDEO: Watch UNT Dallas Students Describe Their Experiences in Italy and Spain

All UNT Dallas students studying abroad during the summer must take two courses (six credits). These credits transfer back to UNT Dallas after their time abroad. As part of the application process, students must contact their academic advisor to select the courses they are interested in taking abroad. The program does not require students to speak another language. All courses, minus Spanish language courses, are taught in English.

“I want to travel. My goal in life is to travel to as many countries as possible,” said Luis Espinoza, a UNT Dallas [junior?] who studied in Spain in the summer of 2023. “Going to Barcelona was my gateway toward accomplishing that goal.”

The IDEAS grants will also support the development of new international partnerships and programs, faculty and staff training, resources to engage students in study abroad, and the development of virtual and hybrid exchanges. 

The program’s website says, “It is imperative that our next generation of leaders – American students of all backgrounds – engage internationally to foster mutual understanding and develop critical skills in support of U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.”

ANOTHER QUOTE HERE: COURTNEY OR DR. B OR DR. W

The IDEAS grant competition and capacity-building initiatives are open to all accredited U.S. colleges and universities. The program seeks to engage the full range of U.S. higher education, including community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions, of which UNT Dallas is one.