Beyond the classroom: UHCL’s Education Abroad program transforms students into global citizens
At the University of Houston–Clear Lake (UHCL), education extends beyond campus. It stretches across continents, cultures, and languages. On September 24, 2025, the university proudly hosted its Education Abroad Welcome Back Reception, celebrating the life-changing experiences of students who have studied abroad and the powerful partnerships that make these journeys possible.
Held in the Bayou Building's Atrium I and Garden Room, the event welcomed students, faculty, university leaders, donors, and community partners for an evening of reflection, reconnection, and inspiration. But more than a celebration, the event was a showcase of how UHCL is cultivating the next generation of globally minded leaders.
A World of Opportunity
For students like Drucilla Rovito and Madison Alexander, the Education Abroad program was a transformative experience.
Drucilla, who studied in Spain and Costa Rica, described her journey as one of deep personal and academic growth. From working on organic farms in Cartago to extracting shark DNA in marine biology labs, she found herself immersed in cultures, causes, and classrooms that challenged her worldview and expanded her skills. “Sustainability is lived, not just studied,” she said. “You adapt, just like you have to adapt when you're abroad by yourself. And you grow, because the experience demands it.”
Meanwhile, Madison's first-ever trip outside the U.S. landed her in Athens, Greece, where she tackled an independent study at the American College of Greece. Navigating metro maps in the rain, collaborating in multi-national classrooms, and even getting lost in translation, every moment became a lesson in adaptability and global awareness. “We need more public transportation here,” she laughed, “but also, more chances like this to experience the world.”
Learning That Travels With You
One of the most unique aspects of UHCL’s Education Abroad experience is how deeply embedded learning is in the world around students. Field trips, routine presentations, and real-world community engagement replace traditional lectures and rigid grading systems. Whether it is planting community gardens, interviewing shark traders, or debating sustainability models across cultures, students return with more than just academic credits; they come back with new perspectives.
The Power Behind the Passport
What makes all this possible? According to Joe Staley, vice president of University Advancement, the answer is clear: leadership, partnership, and philanthropy.
“Look around this room,” he told attendees. “You’ll see our university president, deans, faculty, donors, and students, all here because we believe in the power of global learning.”
UHCL’s Education Abroad program thrives thanks to the steadfast support of visionary leaders like Executive Director Bianca Schonberg, Senior Global Scholar Advisor Larisa Landry, and Education Abroad Advisor Brittany Hamilton, whose dedication to student success and global engagement has made the program a standout. But it also relies on the generosity of donors and corporate partners who believe in opening doors and borders for UHCL students.
Special thanks were extended to individual supporters like Mr. and Mrs. Satish Agarwal, Kirsten Miller, and corporate champions, including Lonza, Syensqo, Schlumberger (former ChampionX), and JES Tech, whose investments are ensuring that cost is never a barrier to a student’s dream of studying abroad.
More Than Travel, It’s Transformation
The takeaway from the evening: Education Abroad at UHCL is not just about seeing new places. It is about becoming someone new. Students learn how other communities live, work, and solve problems, and bring those lessons home. It is about realizing that leadership does not stop at the border and that sustainability, innovation, and understanding look different in every corner of the world.
For students like Drucilla and Madison, these programs have inspired new career goals, global internships, and even daily communication with host families turned lifelong friends. The stories shared at the reception were a testament to UHCL’s commitment to education that empowers, faculty that inspire, donors who believe, and students who soar.
Ready for Takeoff?
As UHCL continues to expand its global footprint, students are encouraged to explore their own path through the Education Abroad and Scholar Services office. Whether you are bound for Greece, Costa Rica, Spain, or somewhere entirely unexpected, one thing is certain: growth is inevitable and global. Because at UHCL, education changes what you know and who you become.
Interested in making global education possible for more students? Visit www.uhcl.edu/academics/education-abroad/ to learn how you can get involved, give, or go abroad.
