Students, programs take UNC around the globe

Correction: In the quote, "It increases your tolerance of other nations and illuminates your ignorance of other cultures," "illuminates" should have been "eliminates."

 

When Anh Ly took her first study abroad trip to Singapore in 2003 she had no idea that she'd return to campus with a new world outlook.

"I really caught the travel bug," she said.

After spending a year abroad in Spain and a summer in Vietnam, the UNC senior is sharing her passion for international education with the University community.

As founder and editor of Carolina Passport - a magazine devoted to expanding global awareness - Ly helped distribute 2,000 copies of the magazine's first issue last spring.

"We really want to expose students to different cultures and ideas to help them step outside of their comfort zone," Ly said. "It's a way for students to share their experiences with the rest of the community."

Ly said submissions of all varieties are accepted by the magazine, which publishes once a semester.

"The articles can be funny, serious or thought-provoking," she said. "We only ask that you share how you gained from the experience."

The magazine receives funding from both student government and the office of the associate provost of international affairs.

Ly said she hopes to double the magazine's distribution this semester with the aid of alumni donors and possibly several advertisers.

"The more we distribute, the more the magazine achieves its goals," said Marjorie Crowell, assistant provost for international affairs.

And Carolina Passport is just one reflection of the student body's increasing interaction with the global community, she said.

Each year UNC Study Abroad offers about 230 programs in more than 64 countries and sends no fewer than 1,100 students abroad.

"To be truly educated we have to go beyond the borders of our campus, state and nation," Crowell said.

After several trips abroad, including the Singapore Summer Immersion Program, senior Stephanie Poole organized Student Advocates for Internationalization - a group devoted to furthering UNC's global education opportunities.

"Students need to talk about their experiences and use them proactively," Poole said.

"It expands your outlook and gives you a deeper insight into the world."

Ly said the experiences students bring back to the University open up communication lines and help promote a rich, diverse campus culture.

"The best thing you can do for your country is to leave," she said. "It increases your tolerance of other nations and illuminates your ignorance of other cultures."

Even those who are not able to study abroad benefit from their fellow students' experiences, Crowell said.

"I think that it exposes students, and faculty and staff to more of what the world is really like," she said.

"Without leaving campus, students can get a taste of other cultures."

 

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.