黑料网吃瓜爆料

Studying abroad is an emerging trend among students in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.

Student participation has increased 36% year-over-year from the 2023-2024 school year to the 2024-2025 year. And now a new program in Barranquilla, Colombia and hosted at the Universidad del Norte, is slated for the summer semester in 2026 and will focus on computer science and information security.

鈥淥ur summer program in Colombia will give students the chance to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges through hands-on labs, simulations and collaborative projects,鈥� said Marbin Pazos Revilla, USF鈥檚 assistant professor of instruction and sponsor of the program. 鈥淢odern cybersecurity challenges cross geographical borders, and study abroad opportunities like this give students a realistic perspective to solving global cybersecurity challenges.鈥�

Students who participate in this specific program learn from 黑料网吃瓜爆料faculty overseas and earn credits that are applicable to their degree program, meaning that the global experience doesn鈥檛 slow down their progress toward graduation.

The classes offered include CIS 4930 Special Topics in Computer Science 1, COP 4931 Special Topics and CIS 3360 Principles of Information Security. Space is limited and registration for this course closes Dec. 1. Two information sessions are planned from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 6 and 12. Those interested can register .

鈥淪tudying abroad isn鈥檛 all about learning in the classroom,鈥� Pazos Revilla said. 鈥淲hat a student learns during a trip abroad extends far beyond what is taught in the classroom.鈥�

Blending tech education and culture create lasting memories

Another abroad program open to 黑料网吃瓜爆料students is through Algebra Bernays University: . The program is designed for 黑料网吃瓜爆料students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and computer science engineering.

The four-week immersive program is a mix of academics and culture. The courses, which are taught by faculty from Algebra Bernays University and are industry experts, are aligned with USF鈥檚 curriculum and apply to degree programs.

Computer engineering major Paola Macias-Rocha, along with cybersecurity major Autumn Kissinger, took advantage of USF鈥檚 partnership with Algebra Bernays University in Croatia last summer and they are grateful they had the opportunity.

While there, they both studied Croatian Language and Culture and Artificial Intelligence.

鈥淐roatian Language and Culture was the first course that I took in Croatia, and I am so grateful I did,鈥� Macias-Rocha said. 鈥淭he class consisted of about 30 students from all parts of the world, and I can confidently say that out of everyone I met; those were the people that I was closest to and shared my best memories.鈥�

Kissinger also met new friends and enjoyed working around other international students.

"I got to learn a little bit of Croatian from my class and from the locals, but I also learned a little bit of French, Ukrainian, Spanish and Russian from my classmates," she said. "It was an awesome experience meeting others who wanted to learn from one another and share their cultures, as well as going out and having fun together."

Working with teams of international students, the classes pushed Macias-Rocha out of her comfort zone.

鈥淥n the other hand, Artificial Intelligence was a class that taught me to think outside the box,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 really enjoyed learning how AI is being applied to the real world as well as working with others to complete tasks and projects.鈥�

For Kissinger, the learning experience was different compared to taking classes in the U.S.," she said. "The learning environment in Croatia felt more personal and discussion-based, and less focused on exams."

While class and their studies were a focal point of their trip to Croatia, their experiences outside the classroom and away from presentations are memories they both cherish.

鈥淔rom the locals I interacted with at coffee shops, to the students that I met in my class, everyone made my experience a once in a lifetime experience,鈥� Macias-Rocha said. 鈥淚'll never forget the days where my classmates and I would go after school to the beach or the time we took a mini trip to Split.鈥�

For other students weighing their summer options, Macias-Rocha recommends experiencing a study-abroad program.

鈥淓ven if you are unsure how your experience will be, you should do it. It is an experience unlike anything else,鈥� Macias-Rocha said. 鈥淚t pushes your boundaries and gives you memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. You will make connections that will stay with you even when you return to the states. I truly believe that studying abroad changed me for the better.鈥�

Kissinger agreed: "You won鈥檛 regret it, even if it feels a little scary or uncomfortable at first. You鈥檒l have so much fun exploring, making friends, learning about yourself and other cultures. And take lots of pictures!"

For more information on USF鈥檚 abroad programs, . Details about how to pay for study abroad opportunities, as well as scholarships to fund them, can be found on the 黑料网吃瓜爆料World website.