Most students who graduate from The University of Memphis --about 80 percent -- live in Shelby County after graduating. But arecent donation to establish an international travel fund aims tochange that.
As a student, Philip F. Donovan didn't travel much. In fact, henever left the country until after he graduated. But now that hehas traveled, he has made a stop on every continent exceptAntarctica.
As a member of the College of Arts & Sciences AdvisoryBoard, Donovan saw a need for Memphis-area students to travel andbecome more learned in the ways of other cultures.
"Seeing other viewpoints and cultures creates a little morerounded view," he said. "They (realize the) world does not revolvearound the United States."
Donovan's $10,000 donation will enable the College of Arts andSciences to send students and faculty outside of Memphis.
"Usually, here at The U of M, we just mingle with who we know,"said Cyteria Ray, junior human resources major, adding that shethinks travel abroad experiences are great opportunities to learnabout other people.
The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences is to educatestudents about the world around them, which includes life andculture outside the United States. The travel fund will help thecollege with its mission by providing a scholarships to help payfor overseas programs, attendance at scholarly conferences andundergraduate research.
Because the donation was made so recently (in the past couple ofmonths), the college has not had time to delineate guidelines forthe funds, said William Thompson, associate dean of the College ofArts and Sciences.
However, the funding will vary from individual and need becauseThe University has other travel funds available, Thompson said.
International travel, "gives students a better appreciation fortheir country, the arts, cultures," said Kathy Banks, parent of a Uof M student. Traveling to other countries, she said, will also letstudents know that very few people in the world speak only onelanguage.
But some students are happy to stay in this area and don't thinkthey need overseas experience. Junior accounting major MattChandler, said he might go outside the country later in life. Butfor now, he said, he's just "not a big travel person."
