Global Experiences
Expanding Global Horizons at Bowie State University Through the Office of International Education & Student Services
The newly created Office of International Education & Student Services at Bowie State University plays a vital role in promoting cultural awareness and global competencies among students. It supports F-1 visa holders and expands study-abroad opportunities while ensuring compliance with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Beyond regulatory oversight, the office prioritizes risk management and safety for students abroad, adhering to international standards, addressing safety concerns, and managing programs in diverse global locations. This strengthens global connectivity and cultural exchange between Bowie State University and the world.
These efforts also align with Bowie State’s mission to prepare students for a globally interconnected workforce, where employers increasingly value international experience and cultural competence. Maura Frischmann, a study abroad coordinator at the Office of International Education, emphasizes its role in fostering cultural awareness and global perspectives. Employers prize candidates with international experience for their flexibility, initiative and ability to collaborate effectively in diverse teams—skills honed through study-abroad programs and interactions with international students, allowing them to navigate unfamiliar settings and embrace diverse perspectives.
As the Office of International Education grows, it plans to implement software solutions to streamline data tracking, communication, and risk management for international and study-abroad students. These tools aim to boost efficiency, enhance decision-making, and provide actionable insights for university leaders. Through these initiatives, the office strengthens Bowie State’s global reputation, fosters inclusivity, and prepares students for an interconnected world.
Additionally, the Office of International Education is developing an English-language learner program to support international students in improving their language skills, promoting academic success and a more inclusive campus environment.
Bowie State Students Tour East London’s Racial, Social Justice History
Bowie State University students, joined by a small group of faculty and staff, participated in a social justice workshop during a university-sponsored, weeklong alternative spring break trip to London.
Students engaged with Journey to Justice, a local anti-racist organization that focuses on tackling poverty, class systems and economic justice. The group presented London’s history of prejudice and racism, tied to England’s colonial past and explained how they blend U.S. and British history, global human rights movements, and the arts to advocate for equity.
Students explored topics like the historic presence of Africans in the British Isles since the Roman Empire, the lives of nonwhite British citizens in London, and the vast wealth — estimated in the trillions of dollars — England has extracted from its former colonies.
"The conversation covered a lot of dark topics that affect a lot of people," said Elijah Prince, a mental health counseling graduate student. "But what brought them together was the fight for justice and equity."
The presentation featured an exercise tracing the history of major civil disturbances, such as the Brixton riots of 1985 and 2011, while drawing parallels to racially motivated unrest in the United States.
After the workshop, students toured East London, visiting neighborhoods once home to sweatshops for wealthy silk weavers and sites of labor disputes over better pay and working conditions.
"Skills honed through study-abroad programs and interactions with international students, allowing them to navigate unfamiliar settings and embrace diverse perspectives."
- Maura Frischmann, Study Abroad Coordinator
Bowie State Students Visit Stonehenge
Bowie State University students and faculty were captivated by Stonehenge during their weeklong alternative spring break trip to London.
The group traveled about 2 hours outside the city to visit the historic monument, dating back to around 3100 B.C. and features massive sarsen stones standing 13 feet high and weighing roughly 25 tons. Constructed over thousands of years in various stages, Stonehenge offered a striking sight most students had only encountered digitally.
"It was cool to see it in person and learn the history behind it," said Nicholas Wallace, a sophomore computer science major. "You see it on websites or Instagram but being there and learning how they moved the stones — it’s a crazy sight to see."
The group delved into theories about Stonehenge’s purpose — ranging from an early burial ground to a worship site for ancient Druids or calendar marking solstices — though its true intent remains a mystery.
"No one really knows why it was built," said Laila Gwathmey, a junior psychology major. "It’s been there for thousands of years, and no one knows."
Despite its enigmatic history, students appreciated the opportunity to venture beyond their urban surroundings and experience the beauty of the English countryside.
Bowie State Students Visit Panama for Alternative Spring Break
Bowie State University students and faculty spent spring break, 2024, in Panama, participating in activities to explore the country's rich cultural heritage. The trip immersed them in Congo culture in Portobello, a historic site where thousands of enslaved Africans arrived in the 1500s. Today, their descendants preserve Congo traditions through food, art and more. Dr. Sumanth Reddy, assistant professor of geography and Outdoor Club advisor, led the group, guiding students through Congo cultural activities like dance, drumming, costume-making and painting workshops. They also visited the Emberá community, an indigenous group of around 33,000 living along rivers of Panama and Columbia.
Learning Through Experience: A Look at Congo Culture & the Panama Immersion Trip
Fifteen bold Bulldogs journeyed to Portobelo, Panama, for spring break to dive into Congo culture. Located in northern Panama, Portobelo — a UNESCO cultural site due to its historical fortifications — is the heart of this tradition, home to a vibrant Afro-Panamanian population preserving African roots. Congo culture, born as resistance against European colonizers who enslaved Africans, remains a powerful symbol of heritage and resilience.
During the one-week, study-abroad program, students took part in workshops on dance, drumming, mask and costume-making, cooking and painting. They also visited an Emberá Indigenous village to learn about Panama’s indigenous traditions.
Beyond cultural immersion, students explored the country through beach visits, hikes, local cuisine, and a tour of the Panama Canal. They also had the opportunity to experience the local markets and collect souvenirs.
The trip was led by Dr. Sumanth Reddy, assistant professor of geography in the Department of History & Government, and Maura Frischmann, study abroad coordinator.
