January 14, 2013

Shawnee State University students Brittany Hablitzel, Leah Diedrick, and Adam Schroeder will be studying abroad in Spain during Spring Semester.

Hablitzel, daughter of Christy Hablitzel, of Piketon, Ohio, is business administration major at SSU.

"I have always wanted to travel abroad and really dive in to another culture and get the full experience of how people live in other countries," said Hablitzel,

"This is such an amazing opportunity and I am very thankful that Shawnee State University offers this program."

Her family has been supportive in her decision to study abroad but they are also apprehensive about her being so far away, she said.

"I hope to travel throughout Spain and the rest of Europe while I am abroad as well," Hablitzel said.

Diedrick, daughter of Alfred and Carrie Diedrick, of Beaver, Ohio, is an English major and a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) minor at SSU.

Schroeder, of Shelby, Ohio, is a mathematical science major. He is a Cross Country athlete and a three-time Academic All Mid-South Conference honoree.

At the National NAIA Championship meets in November, he earned three of the quickest 20 times in SSU history. His time was tied for the 14th quickest all-time in program history.

They will be studying at Universitat Jaume I in Castellon, Spain.

SSU has six sister universities where students can go in the exchange program, including Chile, two in China, Germany, Morocco and Spain. SSU also is a member of ISEP, a direct study abroad program that offers 70 study abroad destinations for students.

Students can:

• Develop skills in problem solving;
• Develop foreign language and communication skills;
• Gain geographical, historical, and cultural knowledge;
• Gain an appreciation for and understanding of different cultures;
• Develop confidence and a stronger sense of personal identity; and,
• Make personal and professional contacts around the world.

Participants have the opportunity to travel and experience another culture first-hand, all while earning credits towards a degree.