Palm Beach State College offers numerous study-abroad opportunities to students. Aylim de Chazal, the Director of International Education, spoke about a few of the study abroad opportunities that are available to enhance a student’s education One of the study abroad opportunities that Mrs, Chazal spoke about was la Universidad de Paz, or the University for Peace. The University for Peace was founded in 1982, and it is located in San Jose, Costa Rica. UPEACE, as the University is frequently called, was founded in Costa Rica because of the county’s peaceful nature Unlike other countries, Costa Rica has no army and their police officers do not carry guns. Costa Rica was also chosen because of the country’s dedication to improving the education of it‘s citizens. UPEACE is associated with the United Nations, but it is not funded by them.
Rather, the University maintains its financial freedom from the UN so that they can provide the best education to their students. Many of the degrees that are offered at the University of Peace are unique and demonstrate the University’s dedication to improving global communication, protecting the environment, and defending human rights of people everywhere. UPEACE offers degrees in Gender and Peace Building; International Law and Human Rights; Peace Education; and Environment, Development, and Peace. Mrs. Chazal also spoke briefly about some of the other opportunities that are available to students, including upcoming trips to England and Canada She also discussed how Palm Beach State College is working to implement new exchange programs which would allow students from other countries to study at PBSC.
As a student, I am very excited about these opportunities that are available, especially because lam fascinated by cultures that are different from my own. I believe it is important for colleges and universities to offer study abroad opportunities because traveling helps develop students. Not only does travel to new countries exposes students to new beliefs and ideas, traveling also helps foster understanding between people of different races and ethnicities. Traveling truly does enhance a student‘s education, and I look forward to the day that I embark on my first study abroad experience.
