CoSci study abroad students in London featured in TAMUtimes

Texas A&M construction science students who spent the spring 2011 semester studying abroad in London praised their academic and social experiences in a [story] (http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2011/10/07/texas-am-construction-students-do-study-abroad-plus-internships-in-london/) and [video] (http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2011/10/07/texas-am-construction-students-do-study-abroad-plus-internships-in-london/) posted on TAMU Times, the university’s news website.

“Going to college is a step out of the nest, although for many students that’s still only 60 or 90 minutes from home,” said Melissa Daigneault, construction science lecturer and the department’s study abroad faculty advisor, in the TAMU Times artlcle. “Studying abroad is a much bigger step, one that builds self-confidence and makes a huge difference in the lives of my students.”

Part of the study abroad experience is an internship with a London construction company; placed with the help of the department’s [Construction Industry Advisory Council] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/industry/) , which has member companies in London, students studied construction law and risk management.

Nancy Pena, a student from Edcouch, Texas, said that to compete in an ever-expanding world market, it’s vital students understand cultures and practices in different parts of the world.

“No textbook or classroom can show you what another culture is really like,” she said. “I can honestly say that what I learned from this experience has broadened my outlook on the world and will affect my decision-making for the rest of my life.”

Kirby Miller, a senior from Houston, originally hesitant about studying abroad, said that she enjoyed experiencing the different cultures, cuisine, architecture, history and public transportation in London.

“Experiencing all of this on your own without the comfort of family close by, with friends, new and old, is something so empowering, inspiring and exciting that words cannot even come close to describing it,” she said.

Adam Cashner, a senior from Conroe, Texas, said study abroad not only gave him better knowledge of the construction field, it broadened his view of other countries’ customs and environments.

“The greatest part of the study abroad experience was being out of your comfort zone, because that is where you’re tested,” he said.