Author: Melissa Whatley

Melissa Whatley is currently a doctoral student in the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, Melissa taught both Spanish and French for eight years at a variety of institutions and worked with study abroad programs in both France and Spain. In addition to spending a year in Coria del Río, Spain as an English teacher, Melissa has traveled extensively in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Her research interests include the organization of study abroad programs, access to and opportunities for international experiences among underrepresented student populations, and minority language education. She currently serves as the graduate assistant for the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities at the University of Georgia.

Enhancing Language Learning Abroad

Posted on January 15, 2016May 5, 2016 by Melissa Whatley

Studying abroad is clearly beneficial for students in many ways, but for many study abroad goers, the primary reason for studying abroad is to learn a foreign language. The study abroad environment offers many opportunities for students to enhance their foreign language proficiency that are simply not available at home. The following is a list…

Supporting Undocumented Students

Posted on December 30, 2015May 2, 2016 by Melissa Whatley

Although studying abroad during college may be a feat for many students given time and cost considerations, there is one student population that encounters even more formidable barriers to study abroad — students who are DACA recipients. In this post, you’ll find a general overview of what DACA is, information about the extra steps these…

Planning Faculty-Led Study Abroad

Posted on December 15, 2015May 2, 2016 by Melissa Whatley

The most recent Open Doors report indicates that during the 2013-2014 academic year, 62% of U.S. students who studied abroad participated in short-term study abroad programs (i.e., study abroad programs lasting for a summer term or up to eight weeks). As you might guess, many of these short-term study abroad programs are led by faculty….

Open Doors 2015

Posted on November 30, 2015May 2, 2016 by Melissa Whatley

The numbers are in and they’re very promising! Earlier this month the Institute of International Education released the latest installment of its annual Open Doors report on international education in the United States, reporting on both international students and scholars in the United States and U.S. students studying abroad. My focus here is on the…

Getting to know your host city: Practical considerations

Posted on November 15, 2015May 2, 2016 by Melissa Whatley

When students (and faculty!) arrive to the study abroad host city for the first time, a bit of practical orientation is in order. Giving students the opportunity to explore and get to know the host city can keep them from getting lost on the way to class, direct their attention to parts of the city…

Re-entry: Four tips for helping students cope

Posted on October 30, 2015May 2, 2016 by Melissa Whatley

While adjusting to life abroad may be rough, coming home is often even harder for many students, especially after a life-changing study abroad experience. Here are four strategies that I have used to help students prepare for the difficulties of returning home. 1. Talk about it. This strategy may seem obvious, but is often ignored….