Whether they want to improve their language skills, learn about a different culture or travel, several Northwestern State students will be spending the Spring 2017 semester overseas.

Natalie Borowski of New Orleans, Kyle Bryant of Georgetown, Texas, will be studying abroad through the International Student Exchange Program. Borowski will study in Japan while Bryant will be in Estonia. Tyler Henry of Robeline, Demmi O’Donnell of Lake Charles, Claire Ellen Nelson of Shreveport, Selene Allains-Kovacs of Jeanerette, and Kristy Nunn of Bossier City will be studying at the University of Angers in Angers, France through a bilateral exchange.

Borowski said the International Student Exchange Program was one of the factors that made her choose to study at NSU.

“My primary goal is to learn as much Japanese as I possibly can,” she said. “The Study in Kyoto Program I’ll be attending at Ritsumeikan University offers an Intensive Japanese Language Track, and I plan on using the least amount of English as I can in my day-to-day activities. Additionally, I hope my semester abroad will allow me to improve my communication and interpersonal skills, and make me a more independent and well-rounded individual.”

Bryant hopes his time in Estonia will help him achieve his goal of becoming a foreign service officer.

“My grandfather, aunts and uncles all studied abroad and my professors in the Scholars’ College encouraged it. I will be able to improve my Russian and develop some international contacts,” said Bryant, a senior liberal arts major with a concentration in philosophy, politics and the law in the Scholars’ College. “It is a great opportunity to learn about another country and study Russian. This will broaden my horizons.”

Henry, a junior criminal justice major with a minor in hospitality management and tourism has travelled extensively in North America but will going overseas for the first time.

“I was led to studying internationally because of my love for traveling and learning different cultures,” said Henry. “I’m hoping this semester abroad will help me determine what I for sure want to do with my life after college. I have heard from many friends how traveling internationally is a life changing experience.”

O’Donnell, a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, said the availability of a hospitality program at University of Angers made it easy for her to choose where to study.

For more information on the International Student Exchange Program at NSU, go to isep.nsula.edu.