Inaugural Cohort Returns from First Semester Abroad
- Feb 24, 2025
- Education Abroad
- Angela Santos
[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.]
For first-year advertising major Contessa “Tess” Bausano, studying abroad during her first semester at The University of Texas at Austin has already proven to be a transformative experience, equipping her with invaluable skills and the confidence to navigate college life independently.
“I think being able to study abroad my first semester allowed me to gain many of the life skills I needed coming into college,” Bausano said.
Bausano was among the inaugural cohort of Take the World by the Horns, a program that allows first-time-in-college students at the University to launch their academic careers by completing their first semester abroad. Texas Global created this innovative program in collaboration with UT’s Office of Admissions.
The cohort returned to Austin in the Spring 2025 semester from three international destinations: Panama City, Panama; Seoul, South Korea; and Copenhagen, Denmark. Each location featured a unique academic focus and cultural enrichment opportunities.
Panama City, Panama – Energy and the Environment: This program explores marine life and an ancient archipelago as participants study in Panama, the world’s most biodiverse environment.
Seoul, South Korea – Society and Technology, Health and Well-being: Students discover and explore the ways technology can be used to benefit health and society in Seoul, the city that ranks No. 1 in Asia on the Global Innovation Index.
Copenhagen, Denmark – Energy and the Environment, Health and Well-being: The curriculum examines how Denmark innovates as a global leader in health and sustainability. Students immersed in Danish culture also explore research centers, clinics and public spaces that foster wellness.
Taking a Chance
Bausano always knew she wanted to study abroad. Originally from New York, she grew up traveling, especially enjoying Europe. She also embraced trying out new activities ranging from theater to volleyball, so when the program application appeared, she took on the challenge.
But this isn’t necessarily the story for everyone who applied and participated in the program. Studying abroad was an unexpected journey for some, such as Shreya Gupta, who studied in Panama and wrote about it for Texas Global’s Education Abroad blog.
“If someone had told me in high school that I would be studying abroad during my first semester of college, I would have called them crazy ... [but] only a month into my stay, I have cherished every moment and learned much about Panama already,” Gupta wrote. “I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and faced my fears, gaining the confidence to interact with people outside my classes. I’ve also become more open to trying new foods, going on new adventures and exploring the city.”
Despite their differing backgrounds, both Bausano and Gupta found their experiences deeply enriching, inside and outside the classroom.
Lessons From Abroad
Bausano participated in the program in Copenhagen. In addition to the Danish language, her courses compared health care systems in Denmark with those in the United States and other Scandinavian countries, focusing on human environmental impact and the connection between nature and quality of life. Although these courses were not directly related to her major, they expanded her academic perspective and taught her how to adapt to new learning environments.
Thomas Ward, Texas Global Director of Education Abroad, which administers the program, emphasized its effect on students as they begin their academic and professional careers.
“I think the Take the World by the Horns program has benefited its participants by providing a meaningful and formative shared experience that students in each cohort can draw upon to create a strong network of friends and peers, as well as to further explore their professional and academic interests,” said Ward.
Bausano agreed, highlighting the skills she gained while studying abroad, particularly in time management and problem-solving.
“There are going to be times when you’re abroad when something doesn’t go exactly the right way,” Bausano said. “Being able to understand that just because something doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean you’ve exhausted all your options. Also, being able to work under time constraints and keep pushing through was a necessary skill I learned while abroad.”
Autumn Winford, an Asian cultures and languages major who studied in Seoul, South Korea, echoed a similar message in a post she wrote for the Education Abroad blog.
During the program in Seoul, Winford visited a motion-capture studio, where her peers wore motion suits and envisioned themselves as digital characters. The group also toured the EA Sports studio, where staff members gave students a glimpse into the process of creating video games.
“Experiencing my first semester of college while living abroad has proven to be the best decision I’ve ever made,” Winford wrote. “I’ve experienced the highs and lows of the newfound independence that every college student endures, such as balancing freedom and responsibility while battling homesickness. However, the benefits of studying abroad have outweighed any challenges.”
An International Perspective
Now that the students are back on the Forty Acres, Ward has observed the ways they seem to feel empowered to take on the next chapter of their lives, having learned newfound lessons and gained perspectives from abroad.
“The most exciting part of the program for me is watching how these students translate what they learned abroad and letting it guide their next steps — not just from the perspective of what they study or which jobs they pursue, but also in everyday critical thinking, comparing why things are done in one international context versus another and how that affects everyone in their world,” Ward said.
Bausano also reflected on her expanded understanding of how to work in collaborative environments, which was bolstered by exploring different cultures and backgrounds in Europe.
“Understanding how to be a leader of a group, taking into account the many different perspectives and opinions within the group, both academically and socially, was the biggest skill I have gained,” said Bausano.
So, for students contemplating participation in Take the World by the Horns, Bausano offered a simple piece of advice: Apply, even if you’re unsure about your fit.
“Studying abroad is not going to be something that's for everyone; I understand that,” she said. “But having this experience in your back pocket and being able to tell people — future employers, or the people you’re in an academic setting with — that you studied abroad. The skills you learned from studying abroad, both soft skills and academic, are going to be super helpful.”
Bausano, Gupta and Winford embarked on their Take the World by the Horns journeys in very different parts of the world, yet they all returned with newfound skills and perspectives after conquering the challenges their new environments presented. Whether mastering time management, stepping beyond their comfort zones or gaining the confidence to become more self-reliant, these experiences will shape their college careers and beyond.
“I hope unpacking this experience with their UT classmates has a lasting effect on the students’ overall college experience (and their lives in general) and inspires more international learning,” Ward said.
