Two SC State students get international experience with summer studies in Spain, Germany
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Two sophomores have enhanced their South Carolina State University educational experiences by studying abroad over the summer.
By way of SC State’s Office of International & National Student Exchange Programs (OINSEP), Dajanique Leysath and Josiah Stroman studied in European countries after successfully preparing applications for competitive slots with study abroad programs.
“The Office of International & National Student Exchange Programs is proud of these students,” said Dr. Learie Luke, OINSEP director. “Study abroad provides students with cultural immersion experiences that help them embrace cultural diversity, enhances their readiness for new challenges, and increases their cultural competence, which makes them more attractive candidates to prospective employers.”
Leysath, an Orangeburg resident who studies computer science was enrolled in the HBCU Consortium program with Barcelona SAE, a new study-abroad partner for SC State in Spain.
Stroman, an Augusta, Georgia, resident is studying mechanical engineering technology at SC State. He enrolled in a study abroad program in Marburg, Germany, with ISEP Abroad. He is the first student from SC State to be selected to serve as a digital ambassador for ISEP Abroad.
“Study abroad also facilitates the acquisition of language skills, helps students develop the skill of adaptability, and fosters a lifelong passion for global understanding,” Luke said, noting that Stroman took a German language course during his stay. “Study abroad and cultural immersion programs contribute to the university achieving its mission of preparing competent and socially aware graduates to enable them to work and live productively in a dynamic, global society.”
Stroman in Germany
Along with the language course, Stroman studied special topics surrounding the history, politics, and culture of Germany. He is a first-generation college student and a 2024 recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which provided some of the funding for his study abroad experience.
“Studying abroad is not just a chapter in my academic journey,” he said. “It's a pivotal step toward realizing my full potential as a global engineer and change agent.
“By embracing diverse perspectives, fostering cultural exchange, and leveraging international experiences, I am poised to make meaningful contributions to the engineering profession and society at large,” Stroman said. “As I embark on this transformative journey, I carry with me the conviction that indeed, ‘You can get there from here.’”
Leysath is a trailblazer.
Leysath is the first SC State student to receive the “Trailblazer Grant” from Barcelona SAE for her program. Her motto is “The greatest things are made under pressure. Let the pressure fuel your journey to extraordinary adventures.”
During her time in Barcelona, she studied special topics in “Food & Culture in the Mediterranean Basin and Black Barcelona -- The Experience of Race and Ethnicity in Spain.”
The OINSEP staff offers advisement services for study abroad, the National Student Exchange Program, and cultural immersion experiences.
“These students represent the first of many in the post-Covid era who will expand their personal and academic horizons overseas,” said Dominique Rolle, SC State international education coordinator.
Students who are interested in an education-based international travel experience should contact Rolle at drolle1@scsu.edu.