Long Term Study Abroad

Jose Sepulveda - NEOMA Business School, Spring 2026

As a kid, I always dreamed of traveling abroad. Meeting new people and experiencing different cultures was something that fascinated me, and thanks to UTRGV, I was finally able to make that dream a reality. Looking back, choosing to spend a semester studying at NEOMA Business School in Reims, France, turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

At first, I wanted to study in Paris, but I quickly realized I wasn’t looking for the tourist experience. I wanted to experience what it felt like to actually live in France, so I chose Reims instead. It turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. Reims was the perfect size—large enough that there was always something to do, but small enough that it quickly felt like home. Studying at NEOMA also introduced me to classmates from France and all over the world. Every conversation gave me a new perspective, and I learned just as much from the people around me as I did in the classroom.

When I arrived, I wasn’t the most confident person, but I knew that had to change if I wanted to make the most of this opportunity. So I pushed myself to step outside my comfort zone. I had awkward conversations, got lost more than once, and found myself navigating cities where I couldn’t always understand the language. But little by little, I became more confident—not just in my ability to communicate, but in myself. Living abroad taught me to embrace uncertainty, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me long after graduation.

One of the greatest perks of living in Reims was how easy it was to explore Europe. During the semester, I visited places I had only ever dreamed of seeing, from the Eiffel Tower and the Santiago Bernabéu as a lifelong football fan to Prague Castle, La Sagrada Família, and the Colosseum. Of course, traveling wasn’t always glamorous. Carrying a heavy backpack through unfamiliar train stations and walking miles across cities could be exhausting, but every challenge became part of the adventure and made the experience even more rewarding.

The best part of my semester, however, wasn’t the places I visited—it was the people I met. I built friendships with incredible people from around the world who expanded my perspective and became lifelong friends. Knowing that I now have friends across different countries makes the world feel much smaller, and I hope to visit them again someday.

If you ever have the opportunity to study abroad, whether through UTRGV or any other program, take it. Step outside your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. You’ll come home with much more than pictures and souvenirs—you’ll return with new perspectives, lifelong friendships, and memories that will stay with you forever.

Hilario Lopez - Neoma Business School, Spring 2026

Studying abroad is one of the best things you could do as an undergraduate to see things from a different perspective. You not only get to strengthen your Resumé by attending a foreign international university, but you also get to explore parts of the world. During my time at Neoma Business School, I enjoyed and explored fourteen European countries. Each one of them with their different social, legal, economic, political, and technological aspects. Thank God I was able to observe from the Roman Coliseum to the Buda Castle within those months.

Living in France without knowing any French it forced me to get out of my comfort zone and enjoy Paris. Living alone challenges you with everyday life, but once you get the hang of it, it’s perfect. Studying abroad helped me see how big the world is, and how you can achieve anything if you put your mind into. This experience motivated me to pursue more international opportunities after I graduate. This adventure helped me grow as a person and really comprehend what is out there in the real world. I want to thank International Study Programs and Neoma for this incredible experience that changed my view about the world and gave me a better understanding of how beautiful the world is.

Gema Jimenez-Amaro, Soonchunhyang University, Spring and Fall 2025

My study abroad experience in South Korea was one of the most transformative parts of my academic journey. I chose to go abroad because I wanted to meet new people and take on new challenges. During two semesters, I explored historic and modern landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Lotte World Tower, and Everland, while also visiting rural areas like Suncheon, Mokpo, and Nami Island to better understand the country beyond Seoul.

Traveling outside major cities was challenging, especially since I did not speak Korean. However, overcoming language barriers strengthened my resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence. I learned that growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.

I also knew that when I returned to UTRGV, I would apply what I learned abroad to my academic journey. This experience broadened my global perspective, strengthened my independence, and shaped both my academic and professional goals.

Dannarys Martinez - NEOMA Business School, Spring 2025

Studying abroad as an undergrad in UTRGV is something I will never regret. I will always be confident in saying that this is what truly shaped me from experience by experience that I have lived during my time abroad. My first study abroad was in Iceland in Summer 2024, and from there I could not stop my curiosity of knowing new countries, so I then applied for study abroad in France for Spring 2025, where I was able to live in France for a whole semester and visit most of the neighbor countries.

Little by little, I became more responsible without even noticing. My time management got better, my academics improved, and I just grew overall in all aspects, but the biggest change in me was more personal than I could imagine. I’ve become more empathetic and have more understanding of others because I’ve connected with people in so many different situations and backgrounds. Being abroad makes you humble, it shows you there’s a whole world out there, so much bigger than the bubble we’re used to. Studying abroad has also helped me professionally, I was even accepted into the Brownsville South Padre International Airport aviation department, coming fresh out of study abroad in France! It made me realize that studying abroad definitely makes you stand out. I truly cannot imagine a world where I never went to study abroad.

Juan José Garza Velasco - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Fall 2024

Participating in the long-term study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain was an incredible academic and personal journey. Living and studying abroad helped me strengthen my communication skills, adapt to new environments, and appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. This transformative experience inspired me to continue seeking international opportunities that will enrich my career and broaden my worldview.