Imagine: You’re a student in the Department of Integrative Biology at OSU wanting to make the most out of your time in higher education. Studying or interning abroad has always been a dream of yours, but you don’t think it’s feasible for your degree requirements or budget. Luckily, you enter the office of Eric Cole, your academic advisor and the 2025 recipient of the Olaf Boedtker Award for Excellence in Academic Advising.
Walking into Eric’s office feels a bit like entering a professor’s private collection of artifacts from expeditions past. “My students say I give ‘divorced Indiana Jones’ vibes,” he jokes. The fascinating truth is that many of the objects, art, and postcards displayed around his office are from students he has advised to pursue education abroad opportunities.
Eric has sat across the desk from students who had previously thought studying abroad was not an option for their personal circumstances many times. “There are a lot of myths about who can study abroad. Some people assume there is no room in their degree program to incorporate an education abroad opportunity. Even more people presume their financial constraints will prohibit them from going abroad. I do my best to dismantle the perception that studying abroad can’t be for everyone.”
As a first-gen and Pell eligible alum of Oregon State and a past participant of two different study abroad opportunities himself, Eric has first-hand experience navigating opportunities for international education offered by OSU GO. Depending on what a student is looking to get out of their global experience, there are programs that vary in length, topics, modes, and costs. There are also resources to help fund an education abroad opportunity.
The impact Eric’s encouragement has made on students wanting to go abroad is evident—his advisees come back from their programs with a tangible increase in their independence and confidence. They have a better understanding of different cultures and the need to collaborate with people from all backgrounds to improve the world around them. “Knowledge is capital. Science is diverse and it needs diverse perspectives.”
There is a story associated with each of the many international artifacts on display in Eric’s office—so many that he may need to install another shelf for future students’ adventures soon! His one piece of advice to students interested in studying or interning abroad: “Go have the conversations. Get after it and enjoy the ride.”