UNM cannot afford to lose benefits of studying abroad

Editor,

As a student who recently returned from a year abroad, I can attest to the true value of both the International Studies program and the office that oversees it. I read with great disappointment Donald Duran's article about the proposed legislative budget cuts that might spell the end of a wonderful department at UNM at a time when it is most necessary.

Ask students who have gone abroad, and they will tell you that their time out of the country was one of the most worthwhile experiences of their college career. It certainly was for me. Guided by the Office of International Programs and Studies, I chose to spend my junior year in a small city in central Italy. Grants administered by OIPS and funded by the state helped make my program possible, as they do for many other students in short-term, summer, semester and year-long programs. For many students like me, even small amounts of financial support from the University make study abroad a reality rather than a dream.

Studying abroad for any length of time offers the chance to immerse oneself in a new language, experience a different culture, meet people from around the world and gain new perspectives. With an open mind, every interaction outside of class becomes a learning opportunity. Students then return to UNM and apply their new ideas in the classroom, which benefits the University community as a whole.

The OIPS also recruits and assists international students who come to study at UNM. Through their unique histories and viewpoints, these students add to the vibrancy and diversity of UNM.

The world today is becoming more and more globalized, and for students to succeed after graduation, they need to understand the new collaborative world we live in. International connections and experiences are vital parts of achieving this understanding, and that is why the International Studies program is so important today. Can UNM really afford to lose all of the wonderful opportunities provided by the OIPS for lack of just $160,000, less than the annual salary of one ancillary vice president? Can UNM afford to turn inward when there is so much to be gained by looking outward?

Steven Ruder

UNM student