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October 27, 2006 > News > Study Abroad gets new director

Study Abroad gets new director

Director of International Programs Harrison arrives from Oklahoma office

By Beko Binder and Risa Gordon | Thresher Editorial Staff

Increasing participation in study abroad and exchange programs will be the main focus of the new director of international programs, Barbara Harrison.

Harrison, who began her job Sept. 21, said she wants to provide more opportunities for students to live abroad. Currently, 10 percent of undergraduates study abroad each academic year.

“Rice has a lot to offer its students,” Harrison said. “By continuing to expand the study abroad program, I [hope studying abroad] will become part of the everyday thinking at Rice.”

Harrison was a study abroad adviser at the University of Oklahoma for 10 years before coming to Rice. She replaces Cheryl Matherly, who was at Rice 15 years and doubled as Career Services director. Harrison said she plans to make study abroad an option for more students by increasing the office’s interaction with foreign universities.

“We can take more ownership of the program and work really closely with coursework, transcripts and transfer of credit and everything else when we get to know personally the other universities we’re working with,” Harrison said.

Harrison said she thinks study abroad is important because living in another country exposes students to different cultures.

“One of the most exciting things about being a university student at this time of your life is you’re told, ‘Come to Rice and then go away,’” she said. “Leave. Don’t just get your education here — it’s much more than what you’re learning on campus here.”

Harrison said she must also convince faculty of the importance of study abroad programs. “Educating the faculty [on] the importance of the students taking coursework in other countries is often a big challenge,” Harrison said. “I think we need to research more programs for [departments reluctant to accept] study abroad credit, such as engineering.”

Harrison said students who study abroad have an advantage when searching for a job.

“If you spend a semester or year in another country and a job you’re applying for is outside the Houston area, then you’re more likely to adjust,” Harrison said. “Say this is a job in Seattle — if you’ve lived in France for a year or Egypt or New Zealand or something, you can most certainly say ‘Well, if I can do that, I’m prepared and can deal with the issues surrounding my move to Seattle.’”

Dean of Undergraduates Robin Forman said he thinks Harrison will do well in the position.

“She has extensive experience with and knowledge about the day-to-day operations of the office,” Forman said in an e-mail. “She arrives with a vision for the future possibilities for the office that is consistent with, and supportive of, our campus-wide aspirations.”

Harrison said she encourages as many students as possible to study abroad.

“I’m a true believer that this is an opportunity students shouldn’t pass by,” she said. “There’s no other time in your life that someone is going to say, ‘Hey, I know you’ve been working in this company for 10 years, would you like to take a year and work overseas?’ That’s never going to happen again.”

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