This summer Jasmine Harvey plans to take her first international trip. The 22-year-old social work major from Macon, Ga., is one of the 140 students at Jackson State University who plans to study abroad through the JSU Passport To The World program.
That’s a four-week faculty-led international experience that includes organized cultural, research, and experiential learning activity. Students will spend two weeks abroad and two weeks on campus at JSU.
“I plan to study abroad in Paris. I hope to gain a further understanding of a foreign country, its people and its culture. My major is social work. I’m trying to gain a cultural competence to be able to travel anywhere and adjust. And also bring the information back and pass the word on as to what goes on in their cultures and how their people function,” says Harvey.
The program is offered through the JSU Global division and includes all disciplines of study. It will send students to six different parts of the world. The educational and cultural experiences are expected to have an impact on the lives of students through increased cultural awareness, change in academic performance and increased career opportunities.
“The knowledge and recognition that we live in an interdependent world without borders requires that Jackson State University create a pipeline of graduates with global competencies,” said Dr. Priscilla Slade, special assistant to the provost for JSU-Global and Community College Relations.
“During the 2013/2014 academic year 886,052 international students studied in the U.S. while only 289,408 U.S. students studied abroad, representing less than 10 percent of students earning baccalaureate and associates degrees,” she said. “Jackson State University has joined the Institute of International Education (IIE) in its pledge to double the number of United States students with study abroad experiences by the end of the decade.”
While most students’ financial aid will pay for the study abroad trip, which provides six credit hours toward graduation, they will have to find funds to pay for airline tickets. JSU Global is hoping to offset some of the airfare costs through a crowdfunding campaign. Tax deductiable donations can be made via Crowdrise.com/jsupassporttotheworld.
“To accomplish this herculean task of increasing the number of our students studying abroad it requires the support of employers, governments, associations, and foundations to make study abroad affordable to all students that qualify and have the desire,” Slade said.
Donations may also be mailed to JSU Global, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, P.O. Box 17103, Jackson, MS 39217.
Make checks and money orders payable to Jackson State University Foundation and include JSU Passport To The World in the memo.
For more information visit www.jsums.edu/global or call 601-979-1611.