By: Ally Roden

As a university known for its study abroad program, many Belmont students take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad through the university. According to the official website, more than 800 students participate in the program each year. Not only do students get the chance to go to another country to experience the amazing things that each place has to offer, they are also able to receive an education while abroad. Some students are even fortunate enough to have an internship.

One student who just finished going through this process is Margaret Hoyt. Margaret is a Corporate Communication major with a minor in Music. She studied abroad this past fall in London, England. When asked why she chose England, Margaret explained how this specific study abroad trip included an internship, which allowed her to “dive deep into a different culture through their workforce.”  She interned as a marketing/content developer at ThanksBox, an employee recognition app.

While in England, Margaret was able to study many subjects. She took classes such as Ethical Leadership, Creative Thinking for Advertising, Media in Britain, and British Life in Business. Ethical Leadership was definitely her favorite course. She noted, “My professor was engaging and used real life examples to relate our class to real ethical dilemmas our current leaders face.” This is a great example of how the courses that students take abroad through Belmont give experience as well as a greater understanding of how the world and workforce work.

Some specific professional benefits that Margaret included when speaking about her experience abroad were learning “how to adapt to whatever is thrown at you” and learning from different colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Her professors were also valuable players in her ability to grow in this specific aspect.

Margaret observed that the relationships made through studying abroad are extremely beneficial, yet made it clear that studying abroad is not for everyone. Although she had an amazing experience, she expressed how “going to another country for four months can be overwhelming and anxiety-ridden.” The positives were greater than the negatives for her, but it is important for each student to think carefully before deciding whether studying abroad is an appropriate choice for them as an individual.

One piece of advice that Margaret offered to anyone debating on studying abroad is to “set up a community of the same beliefs and values wherever you go.” Like she mentioned before, traveling to a new country and living there for a period of time can be an immense stress on the student emotionally. She revealed that she found herself “craving the loving intentional and ever-present Belmont Community that embraces the culture we have here.” Finding a support system while abroad will help to ease the distress of being so far away from the familiar environment students are used to.

The study abroad program at Belmont is a great opportunity for students like Margaret to branch out and try something new. The benefits and professional relationships gained from being abroad are considerable, and it is an experience that the student will never forget.

Editorial Note: Communication Studies and Corporate Communication majors can find short-term and semester-long programs specific to their majors. To learn more about semester and short-term study abroad programs visit the study abroad website.