Ten Arkansas Tech University students and two faculty mentors expanded upon an existing international educational partnership by visiting Germany at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester.
ATU and Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) University of Applied Sciences in Giessen, Germany, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 that created a student exchange agreement between the two institutions.
THM University of Applied Sciences sent a delegation to Arkansas in September 2022 and a cohort of 10 THM students made a trip to the Natural State in September 2023. ATU sent a group of students to Germany as part of the agreement in May 2023 and May 2024.
ATU’s faculty mentors for the May 2024 trip were Dr. Ahmed Elkassabgi and Gaby Haulmark.
“This trip was an epic journey that combined historical exploration, cultural immersion and personal growth, leaving a lasting impact on our students and broadening their academic and global perspectives,” said Elkassabgi.
Katie Hook of Clarksville was among the ATU students who made the trip to Germany. She expressed gratitude for scholarship funds from the ATU Miller Center for Global Engagement that allowed her to be part of the traveling party.
“This trip helped me academically and professionally in a business context through understanding cultural differences and communication styles,” said Hook. “Personally, it gave me the opportunity to experience something that I could have only imagined.”
Additional funding for the trip was provided by Erasmus+ grants, which are awarded by the European Union to support study abroad programs and include considerations for minority, lower income and first-generation students.
The students from ATU and the students from THM University of Applied Sciences had been working together virtually for five weeks to develop a simulated business plan. Once the ATU group arrived in Germany, they were able to continue their collaboration through in-person meetings.
“The initial meeting with everyone outside of our virtual meeting space was so surreal,” said Hook. “Being able to meet one another in person took the experience to a different level.”
Hook was joined on the trip by fellow ATU students Paige Davis of Russellville, Connor Evans of Fort Smith, Alyssa Harmon of Scranton, Olivia Johnson of Pottsville, Kylie Kelly of Russellville, Kaedyn La Bakis of Greenbrier, Chloe Moore of Paris, Ruth Musgrove of Dover and Claire Orcutt of Mankato, Minn.
In addition to meeting with their peers from THM University of Applied Sciences, the ATU students visited Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps and the World War II concentration camp site at Dachau as well as cities such as Wetzlar, Cologne, Marburg and Frankfurt.
“Our visit to Frankfurt included the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, providing a firsthand view of Europe’s financial epicenter and understanding the operations of major financial institutions,” said Elkassabgi.
More than 50 ATU students participated in study abroad or study away opportunities in nine countries during the 2023-24 academic year. The ATU Foundation invested $89,000 in study abroad and study away scholarships in 2023-24.
What would Hook say to an ATU student contemplating a study abroad or study away program?
“Take the chance and don’t hold yourself back,” said Hook. “Studying abroad will open your eyes to a world of experiences, and you will learn so much from your studies. Mrs. Haulmark and Dr. Elkassabgi were so helpful and encouraging through the entire process. You will feel confident every step of the way.”
Visit www.atu.edu/studyabroad to learn more about study abroad and study away opportunities for ATU students.
