Polk State bolsters Study Abroad as program makes full return since pandemic

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

Study Abroad

Polk State College has long prided itself on providing students with study abroad opportunities to boost cross-cultural awareness and prepare them for employment within the globally connected workforce. This 2024-2025 Academic Year, the Study Abroad Program has returned with its first full slate of activities since the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This return has some extra support with the recent awarding of two grants to support students and their travels: The Institute of International Education (IIE) American Passport Project and the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program.

“We are essentially starting over and creating awareness as we reintroduce study abroad programs at Polk State College,” said Program Coordinator for the Institute for Global Initiatives Kim Simpson. “To help introduce travel programs back to our students who might be concerned about travel abroad, we are also offering domestic study away programs and virtual exchange opportunities.”

2024-2025 study abroad programs include:

  • Italy from March 14 through March 23
  • Morocco from May 16 through May 24
  • London and Amsterdam from May 12 through May 23
  • Spain from June 7 through June 17

Study away programs will be posted on the Study Abroad webpage. Tentative programs include:

  • Puerto Rico
  • New York City
  • Key Largo

Study abroad and study away updates will be posted to the Study Abroad webpage, which is available by clicking here. Additional information about the Passport Project is available by clicking here. Students interested in registering for a study abroad or study away program should contact Simpson at ksimpson@polk.edu or 863.669.4917.

Polk State has provided study abroad opportunities to a variety of locations including Austria, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.

Study abroad engages students through a course of study during the semester in which their travel will take place. Faculty members create program itineraries that include learning opportunities within their courses. Coursework can include research about the history and culture of the study abroad location, and the study abroad program itself can include activities such as practicing foreign language with locals, mapping out public transportation, listening to lectures from local experts, scavenger hunts, hands-on science lab work, and more.

Each program includes approximately eight to 10 students, as well as a faculty member or two.

Simpson holds informational sessions— as well as orientations and pre-departure meetings— for each trip to assist students with answering any questions, submitting their applications, and exploring scholarship and grant opportunities to help fund their study abroad endeavors.

“For our underserved and underrepresented students, we have partial scholarships available for certain programs,” she explained. “Our scholarships for the IIE American Passport Project and through the Polk State College Foundation give preference to both student populations.”

Simpson encourages students to schedule an advising appointment with her for guidance through the financial aid and scholarship processes for study abroad programs.

“Study abroad introduces students to new cultures and helps them build life skills including cross-cultural awareness, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving,” Simpson said. “Study abroad prepares students for the global workforce and gives them international experience, which employers within our community are looking for.”

“At Polk State, we want to ensure that we open doors of opportunities for our students to be able to benefit from study abroad and study away opportunities,” she added. “I encourage all students to consider studying abroad. I am here to help them navigate ways to make it work financially, within their schedules, and within their education and career goals.”