Students have opportunity to study math in England

The mathematics department has created a new exchange program allowing students majoring in mathematics the opportunity to spend a spring semester studying in England.

Math lab director Barry Griffiths, who is from the United Kingdom, was keen to create the program after first coming to the United States as an exchange student in 1994.

"It really was influential in my life, as I have now been here for the last 15 years, all because of my experience in an exchange program," Griffiths said. "I know this can make a difference in students' lives, because it made a difference in mine."

After heavy involvement, Griffiths is excited that two UCF mathematics students are finally being given the opportunity to be selected each summer to participate in an exchange program each spring semester and will be able to put this impressive experience on their résumés for graduate schools, gain broader knowledge of mathematics and be able to benefit socially though living in a foreign country for an entire semester.

"I strongly believe in this program," Griffiths said. "Students will benefit from it tremendously. I think they will learn a lot academically, socially and I think they will ultimately come back better students."

Given the limited number of spots available, applicants need to have studied at UCF for at least two years and have had earned a grade point average above 3.0. A series of interviews then decides who is selected, with the two students being notified early in the fall so that there is sufficient time for the Office of International Studies to arrange flights, visas and accommodation in conjunction with their counterparts in England.

Each selected student will register under a study abroad class at UCF, pay tuition accordingly and be held responsible for paying for transportation to and from England as well as housing for the time they will spend there.

Two of Griffiths' students, Brittany Broder and Caroline Gruber, met all the criteria and were selected this summer to be the first participants.

"I first became interested in the program as soon as Mr. Griffiths started talking about it in class," said Broder, a senior mathematics major with a focus in physics and engineering. "I've always wanted to study abroad and seeing as this fits my program of study and language capability better than going to Germany, something I had wanted to do before, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity."

Broder is most looking forward to experiencing England's culture, from tasting the tea to learning mathematics in a whole new way.

"You can't get this kind of learning from a textbook or taking an exam based on notes. It is a great way to better grasp and understand what you are trying to learn," Broder said.

Gruber is also excited to immerse herself in the culture of England, as she has always been fascinating with English pop culture, the royal family and England's education.

"I hope to gain personal growth through this experience and hope to come back a better person in general through learning through someone else's culture," senior pure mathematics major Gruber said.

Broder and Gruber will fly to London in early February, spending four months at the University of Surrey, located 25 miles from London, before finishing their education at UCF.

The University of Surrey was considered the ideal institution for students from UCF given the quality of its mathematics program, which consistently ranks among the top 20 in the U.K., its location near London, which offers direct access from Orlando's International Airport, and its already existing partnership with the Rosen College Hospitality and Management.

"It is very important for UCF to spread its name internationally and be recognized overseas. By creating a partnership like this, it will increase visibility in this school," Griffiths said.

With such a great school involved, Griffiths is excited to finally have the opportunity to share with students what he experienced 17 years ago.

"I am most looking forward to hearing the reports back from these two students and to find out what they found most interesting about life in the U.K., how they improved academically and what the affect it has had one them, and also seeing the long-term result of how this experience has affected their lives," Griffiths said.