A trip abroad changed the course of Angela Moots’ life, and in her new position at Pittsburg State University, she’s hoping to change the lives of others by helping to guide them through similar experiences.
Moots, who since 2015 has served as the university’s Study Abroad Coordinator, has been named the new director of the PSU in Paraguay program.
“You learn a lot about yourself when you’re abroad, about your home culture, and other cultures – no matter what career path you’re on – and you learn to interact with people with different opinions and beliefs,” she said.
Moots replaces Bobby Winters, who is serving as chair of the math and physics departments and as the assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The PSU in Paraguay program, now 15 years old, is unique — an offshoot of the Kansas Paraguay Partners that began in 1968. It’s managed in partnership with Comité Paraguay Kansas in Asuncion, Paraguay, where students may attend general education undergraduate courses taught in English and then complete their degree program on the PSU campus.
PSU faculty members travel to Asuncion to teach, and U.S. students may travel there to study, as well.
Moots studied abroad on a short-term program after her freshman year in college and encourages all university students to consider doing so.
“It got me so excited about travel and learning a new culture that I went again for a semester my junior year,” she said. “I then taught English in France for a year after graduate school. I feel blessed to have had these experiences and to be able to help students and faculty have similar ones.”
As Study Abroad Coordinator, Moots works in the Office of International Programs and Services in Whitesitt Room 118 assisting PSU students who would like to study abroad for a summer, semester, or academic year, and PSU faculty who would like to lead short-term programs.
Now, she’ll add to those duties coordinating educational experiences in Paraguay, and the PSU in Paraguay program will be part of the Office of International Programs and Services.
“I’m really excited to build on the foundation that Dr. Winters started,” she said. “And, I’d love to build the interest of U.S. students, to send them with a professor to interact with Paraguayan students. It could be life changing.”
Faculty member Kyle Thompson (History), Ryan Speelman (Psychology), Sang Lee (Management), and Susan Carlson (English) taught there earlier this year, and Rick Hardy (Recreation), and Connie Shum (Finance) will teach there this fall.
“They’ll teach three hours a day for three weeks, and most expenses are provided,” Moots said.
Learn more
Those interested in learning more about PSU in Paraguay may contact Moots by email or at 620-235-4221.
Original source can be found here.
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