For the second year, the Center for International Education has partnered with the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) to provide free passports to UT students in an effort to increase their opportunities to study abroad.
In March, the center hosted the UT Passport Giveaway, offering 120 free passports to undergraduate students with priority given to those who demonstrated financial need and were from underrepresented populations in education abroad.
CIEE pledged 25 passports to the giveaway, and the Center for International Education raised funds for 50 passports. The Haslam College of Business provided 25 passports, and the college’s Office of Diversity and Community Relations provided another 20. With the hopes of making study abroad possible for more students, this initiative has helped break down a major barrier.
“The application process was super easy. I basically just filled out my basic information and sent it in. I heard about it via the Public Relations Student Society of America social media account. I knew I wanted to apply because envisioning my milestones at UT, I knew at least one of them would consist of studying abroad,” said freshman Justice Stultz-Berry. “Currently, I am intending to go on the Sydney, Australia, trip during the spring 2020 semester, which I am ecstatic about!”
“To me, this passport means an opportunity to better myself and hopefully those around me. Getting this passport gave me immediate access to the world, which is a beautiful thought. This was just the push I needed to decide studying abroad was not just a dream but a reality,” she said.
To learn more about study abroad opportunities, visit the Programs Abroad website.
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