Global Growth: Longhorn Parent Reflections

[Editor's Note: This story is part of a Texas Global series celebrating the people, places and experiences of the Take the World by the Horns first-semester-abroad program.]  

At The University of Texas at Austin, the boldest adventures can begin before freshmen have even settled into campus life. For those eager to make the most of every moment, the University offers an uncommon invitation: Start college by stepping beyond the Forty Acres and across the globe with Take the World by the Horns.  

"Jeremy truly had an amazing experience, and we have seen significant growth through his journey — embracing a new culture and cuisine, participating in community events and excursions, interacting with students from diverse backgrounds, developing independence and lifelong skills that will certainly help him at UT Austin going forward,” wrote Jacob Thomas, the father of 2024 Seoul participant Jeremy Thomas, now a junior studying informatics. “It was a rich and immersive experience that he thoroughly enjoyed." 

Texas Global launched the groundbreaking initiative in fall 2024, in collaboration with UT’s Office of Admissions. Student response doubled in the two years since the program's inception, bringing the overall total to 349 participating students.  

“Study abroad gives you the gift of being uncomfortable, and the chance to grow comfortable within it. Every moment of discomfort becomes a lesson ... when you step into the unfamiliar and learn to make it your own." 
—Dhriti Mangaraju, 2025 Panama cohort of Take the World by the Horns

Take the World by the Horns empowers incoming freshmen to launch their academic careers overseas by spending their first semester in one of five destinations abroad: Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Panama City, Panama; Seoul, South Korea; and Stockholm, Sweden.  

Each location pairs specialized areas of study with cultural enrichment and social opportunities that combine to prepare first-year students to lead in a global marketplace. Delighted by the transformations in their children, Longhorn parents responded with great enthusiasm.  

Longhorn Parents Pleased and Proud  

The uncertainty of sending a new high school graduate to the far side of the world can be a daunting prospect for any family. But the program’s inherent logistical and cultural hurdles galvanize students to broaden their worldview, test themselves and overcome such obstacles, resulting in greater capacity and self-assurance.  

"I'm writing to say how happy Charlie's mother and I were with the Seoul study abroad program and the experiences he has had over the past five months,” said Charles West, whose son is now a junior psychology major. “Watching him grow as a young man, taking on the challenges of living in a culture half a world away, made us proud parents."  

Students learn to communicate across cultures, incorporate diverse perspectives into their work, and lead with empathy. Some families are already reporting such great satisfaction with its effects that younger siblings join in quick succession. 

"I wanted to share how genuinely excited and grateful our family is that we will now have a second child participating in Take the World by the Horns,” wrote Rebecca Temple, mother of Harrison Temple from the 2025 Panama cohort, whose younger brother Weston embarked in 2026 to the same destination. “To now watch Weston begin his UT journey in the same spirit of experiential learning feels incredibly meaningful."   

Consummate Care and Guidance  

These gratified parents were stunned by the program leaders’ steady, thoughtful involvement in ushering students to their new host countries and working with local universities and partner organizations to support them.   

"This program has honestly exceeded anything we imagined. The organization, the communication, the support — especially for first-semester freshmen studying abroad — was incredible,” wrote Suzanne Tavolacci, mother of sophomore Ethan Tavolacci, who studied in the 2025 Seoul cohort. “The team ... provided exactly the kind of scaffolding the kids needed to adjust to life in a new country. Knowing they were there gave us so much peace of mind as parents." 

Program leaders maintained constant communication and availability, offering further relief from the unpredictability and isolation inherent in separating parents from their children. Many parents also mentioned the warmth and connection support teams extended to participants, allaying fears that their students might be “out there all alone.”   

"I would wholeheartedly recommend this program to future students,” said Thomas. “You have been extremely helpful — always responsive, clear and timely in providing information and addressing questions, which we greatly appreciated.”  

Learning from a Challenging Curriculum  

While the program eases the burdens of so much unfamiliarity so early in the college journey, the realities of studying abroad nevertheless present obstacles for students to surmount, particularly in terms of curriculum. Preparing new college students to respond to international levels of academic rigor is a paramount objective of the program. 

With topical tracks that vary by destination, students immerse themselves in focus areas that range across Global Citizenship and the Economy in Athens; Energy and the Environment in Copenhagen and Panama City; Society and Technology in Seoul; and Health and Well-being in Copenhagen, Seoul and Stockholm.  

"We greatly appreciated the work of the student activities staff as they provided Ethan with suggestions for things to do throughout the semester that aligned with his major," said Tavolacci. "He loved his classes at Hanyang — great professors and such a fun place to learn."    

The curriculum in each destination offers a deep exploration of global issues, combining traditional academics with experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom and challenging students to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar settings.  

Cultivating Personal, Cultural Growth  

Immersion in new environments acts as perhaps the most powerful catalyst for student learning and growth, prompting the cultural expansion and emotional development that emerge as dramatic transformations in students of Take the World by the Horns. 

"Harrison's experience through the program was formative — not just academically, but personally,” said Temple. “The growth we saw in his confidence, independence, and global perspective affirmed for us how thoughtfully this program is designed."  

Parents applauded the growth of their children’s worldviews and interpersonal perspectives during the program.  

“Prior to [Charlie’s] arrival in Seoul, I hoped he would grow and embrace this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said West. “From the pictures we've seen and conversations we've had, he far exceeded our expectations. The things he's done and the people he's met will live with him for the remainder of his life.” 

Creating Connections and Friendships 

By design, Take the World by the Horns develops close ties between fellow students who share the same sights and sounds, the same fears, revelations and funny moments abroad. Supported and emboldened by the cohort’s built-in companionship, students often engage more deeply with the local culture and academic options alike. 

"Charlie has made lifelong friends with many in his cohort, as well as at least one of his professors,” said West. “The confidence he now has as a freshman will make transitioning to Austin a lot easier."    

Leaders encourage participants to remain connected with these peers after returning to campus and throughout their college careers, increasing their chances of maintaining a robust social and professional network after graduation.  

Integrating Into Campus Life  

After the fall semester, a question often remains for parents and their children: Once study abroad has launched these students into an uncommon college experience, what comes next? How do they make the shift from navigating an international city with friends to entering the UT campus among 50,000 other students? 

"We are excited for Jeremy’s next chapter as he travels to UT,” said Thomas after his son’s semester concluded in Seoul. “We understand there are plans in place to help the students settle in and readjust, and I am confident this support will make the transition smooth."   

Indeed, a specially designed element of Take the World by the Horns distinguishes the initiative from other study abroad options: Each spring semester, cohorts return to UT Austin with a host of opportunities created to help them integrate seamlessly into campus life.  

The program includes a re-entry session and campus life welcome events; social activities like a movie night, international potluck, and game night; college-specific advising; and an optional First-Year Signature Course that deepens and expands the transnational learning begun in each topical track. Students can also join a mentorship program that connects them with Take the World by the Horns program alumni who have already successfully navigated the return to the Forty Acres.  

"[Charlie’s] time as a UT student in Seoul and Austin has been incredible,” reported West. “He's really making the most of it and has woven himself nicely into the fabric of the University.”   

Parents witness the effects of this intentional integration in their students, who feel more prepared to undertake campus life than many typical freshmen. This success ideally follows them throughout their college careers and into their professional lives. 

Tavolacci summed up the prevailing sentiment for many parents: “When we first signed him up, we weren’t totally sure what to expect. But now, we’re just so grateful that he had this chance. It’s been a fantastic semester.”