With a new school year in full swing, Mercer’s Office of Global Education continues to offer students opportunities to travel and learn about other cultures. Last week’s Study Abroad Week featured a Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday and also included informational sessions and a diversity panel.
Mercer’s Study Abroad Coordinator Emily Dunn appreciates being able to reach so many students during study abroad week and helping them understand all their options for traveling abroad with faculty-led, exchange, mission and affiliate programs.
“We are extremely excited in the Office of Global Education about the start of study abroad week,” Dunn said. “So far, we have had a huge demand from Mercer students which just shows us how much students want to get abroad after COVID.”
Mercer graduate Caroline M. Jackson '22, a global education intern, also finds it rewarding to work with students. Jackson has previously spent a semester in Spain as a sophomore and traveled to Rwanda and Mongolia for Mercer on Mission as a student.
“I’m so glad I could help out so many students at the study abroad fair,” Jackson said. “From a personal standpoint, I was really nervous to study abroad, but I still felt like I would regret it if I didn’t. And now I get to help other students discover the same opportunities that were available to me, if not even better.”
Jackson said the Office of Global Education emphasizes helping students find financial aid for studying abroad no matter their economic background. Jackson also encourages students to apply for those scholarships on the Mercer Office of Global Education's website while they’re still available.
Michael Marcoux '19, an industrial engineering professor, went to South Korea in 2019 for a Mercer on Mission trip and believes it has changed his life towards a path of education.
“I never considered leaving the country, but after spending the summer over there, I fell in love with teaching,” Marcoux said. “It’s a lot more personal when you spend time with actual families and you feel like you did a lot more good for the world. As a result of that, I started teaching dual enrollment engineering.”
Marcoux will be returning to South Korea this summer as an advisor with other Mercer students on another Mercer on Mission trip.
Spanish major Bailey Byrdsong '25 went on a faculty-led trip to Sweden last summer and looks forward to going on the faculty-led trip to Guatemala as well as the Mercer on Mission trip to Mexico.
“I’m Guatemalan, and I have always dreamed of going there,” Byrdsong said. “I want to learn more about my heritage.”
Mercer’s Office of Global Education also aids students with scholarships, Peace Corps prep certificates, internships and more. The office always has its doors open for walk-ins and also allows students to make appointments online for personal advising by emailing studyabroad@mercer.edu.
