Students go through a noticeable transformation from the time they first walk into Teneisha Ellis’ office to the moment they return from their international cultural excursions.

Seeing that change is what Ellis most enjoys about being study abroad director.

“You become a global citizen; you learn how to speak to others so you’re not being disrespectful; you get to see what you read in a book; you get to actually experience it; you get to smell, taste, hear all these different things,” Ellis said.

After five years of advising study abroad students at locations throughout the country, Ellis became the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s study abroad director in June.

In the coming days and weeks, she will visit departments on campus, talk with faculty members, promote national scholarships that often are overlooked, and meet with students about opportunities for international experiences that will cultivate global awareness.

“I love talking. I love interacting with students,” she said.

At UALR, Ellis wants to build the types of connections that often occur at much smaller universities. She hopes to reinforce that everyone can study internationally with careful planning.

“It is possible,” she said. “Studying abroad opens up numerous doors.”

A world traveler herself, Ellis went abroad for the first time when she was a 17-year-old high school junior. She visited Mexico, a trip she still considers her most memorable. It was her first plane ride, first time out of the U.S., and first time living with strangers.

Ellis also has studied in Costa Rica and Spain.

“My favorite part about traveling abroad is the numerous people that I meet and finding out where they have traveled or what they have seen,” she said.

In her spare time, Ellis volunteers at Abroad with Disabilities, where she’s a resident study abroad advisor. The nonprofit organization empowers and shares resources with people who have disabilities so they can pursue opportunities outside of the U.S.

For students interested in studying abroad, Ellis recommends looking through the department’s checklist. Contact studyabroad@ualr.edu for a copy of the list.

“That’s just a starting point, but it does help,” she said. “Come in and talk to me about the possible programs, and then you need to talk to your academic advisor to see what semester would be available.”

“I usually ask students to come in with three different locations that you’re interested in and tell me why. I’m going to tell you what are the good things about it, and I’ll tell you the bad.”

To help promote interest in studying abroad, Ellis has formed a new group at the university called Global Buddies Program. International students, returning study abroad students, or students who are thinking about studying in another country are encouraged to join. The group watches international movies, converses with language partners, plays board games, and learns new languages. Global Buddies Program was launched this month and is held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays in the DISLS Language Lab in Stabler Room 201.

Passport day upcoming

Students planning to travel out of the country who do not have a passport may apply for one on campus during Passport Day. This event will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the Donaghey Student Center Room 201R.

Applications will be available online or in the Student Services Center, Room 417.

All of the following items will be needed to apply for a passport:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship (original birth certificate with raised seal)
• Proof of ID (in-state driver’s license or previous passport. If it’s an out-of-state license, people should bring a second ID or social security card)
• Two bank checks: $110 application fee (made out to U.S. Department of State) and $40 postmaster fee (made out to postmaster)
• To expedite the passport process, people may bring two bank checks: an $184.85 application fee (made out to U.S. Department of State) and a $59.99 postmaster fee (made out to postmaster)