Jenny Kraft, Lead Global Education Specialist at Ohio State, began her career at the university in 1999 as a graduate assistant, where she coordinated two of the department’s larger faculty-led programs. When I asked Jenny how study abroad had changed during her time at Ohio State, she pointed to one major shift: the university’s transition from the quarter system to the semester system in 2012. Before the transition, promoting semester-long programs was challenging for advisors. Jenny explained that “the tradition of the quarter system was so engrained that going abroad for 12–14 weeks was daunting [for students].” Advisors had to help students understand how studying abroad for a full semester would affect their credits, degree progress, and the affordability of going abroad for a longer period.
Jenny’s advising approach focuses on helping students recognize that they are more prepared than they may think. She shared how students in upper-level Spanish courses sometimes ask, “‘Do you think I can do this?’” Her response draws from her own experience: “Please! I went with 3 semesters of Spanish to a program in Mexico. We weren’t required to have a lot of Spanish, we lived with host families that didn’t speak English…we had to use payphones!!” By sharing her own experiences, Jenny encourages students to see that they already have the skills needed to succeed abroad. Jenny also emphasized the wide variety of opportunities available to students. Of the programs discussed, she said she would especially love to attend one of our Peru programs that partners with WorldStrides Resident Director Michelle McLaney. Michelle, who is originally from the United States but is now raising her family in Peru, oversees the reception and support of students while they are abroad. Jenny noted that students may feel more comfortable knowing that Michelle has personally experienced the transition of living abroad while supporting a family and community there. Jenny also expressed interest in a program that includes time in Quito, Ecuador, or the Andes. The opportunity to live within a community village while experiencing cultural immersion particularly appeals to her, as she believes these experiences provide students with a deeper connection to the places they visit.
For Jenny, studying abroad is like “Adulting 102.” Students learn to be flexible and self-reliant while also earning credit, progressing toward their degrees, and immersing themselves in another culture. She also emphasized that students should learn how to communicate the value of these experiences after college: “Students need to learn to be well versed in how to talk about these experiences to future employers, to grad schools, to whatever they are doing after Undergrad and really utilize that experience.” After speaking with Jenny, it became clear how passionate she is about helping students succeed abroad. More than anything, she wants students to trust in their own ability to take on the challenge and make the most of the opportunities available to them.