While Sacramento State students can pursue their education on campus, many were encouraged to develop their skills by studying abroad.

The Office of Global Education presented the International Program for New Zealand and urged students to study abroad in an informational session that was held on Thursday in the University Union Oak Room.

California State University International Programs Campus Coordinator Janis Silvers provided students with information about obtaining an education in distant countries.

As a college student, Silvers studied abroad in Spain, an experience she said she highly recommends.

“Students can obtain proficiency in other languages and can bring a different perspective to their field of study,” Silvers said.

Social work professor Maura O’Keefe encouraged Sac State students to pursue an education outside the United States. O’Keefe studied abroad 10 years ago with IP and studied in New Zealand for a year.

“The beautiful geography and friendly people earned my love for New Zealand,” O’Keefe said. She was involved in the Department of Social Work while in the country, studying family violence prevention.

Recreational Parks and Tourism Administrator Steve Gray toured New Zealand in 1980 with his former rugby team. Gray recounted his unique experience with being around a different culture.

“The people were more active and social than in the United States,” Gray said.

Gray mentioned how students, by majority, preferred to do recreational activities than to sit around all day watching television.

“Sight-seeing and hiking were very popular activities within their culture,” Gray said.

The educational system in New Zealand was much different than at Sac State, he said.

“It can be more demanding, independent and rigorous than you would expect,” Gray said.

A former IP student, Alexandra Richardson shared her personal experience during her study in England.

“I became more independent and responsible,” Richardson said.

Richardson learned to cook for herself for the first time and recounts getting homesick at the beginning of her trip. After a semester in England, she learned to adjust and enjoyed her traveling experiences.

“After my experience in England, I did not want to come back and now I look for any opportunity to travel again,” Richardson said.

Richardson said the experience “will follow her throughout her life and is a bullet-point in her résumé for future job opportunities.”

Jo Anne Struebing, current Sac State student who attended the session in order to continue her love for traveling, was enrolled in the U.S. Air Force and never had the opportunity to obtain a four-year degree.

“I am back and ready to finish my degree while studying in New Zealand,” Struebing said.

Struebing traveled to different countries while in the Air Force and was eager to not only travel with IP, but pursue her education as well. She recommended students to travel abroad and experience life within other cultures.

“Students must take advantage of their opportunity to travel and study abroad while they are young without marriage commitments and big responsibilities,” Struebing said.

Anthropology major Kia Xiong sought to enhance her knowledge in New Zealand.

“I want to obtain hands-on experience in a beautiful country,” Xiong said. “I am going for a year abroad after my uncle, who is currently living in New Zealand, encouraged me to take on the challenge.”

The Office of Global Education allows students to study abroad in a country of their choice.

“Credits are transferable and students can also take classes in their respected majors that may not be offered at Sac State,” Silvers said.

Silvers emphasized students to open their horizons in a different cultural environment, learn different ways of life and new perspectives that can open new opportunities for them in the job market.

Vanessa Guerrero can be reached at [email protected].