At Truman, nearly one quarter of each graduating class studies abroad. It's an impressive statistic, which has led to national recognition. Recently, the Institute of International Education (IIE) investigated which schools have the highest percentage of students who study abroad; Truman was ranked No. 6.

Senior Melissa Doosing, a premed student, is first to tell you that she is one of the many Truman students who dreamed of crossing the Atlantic or Pacific to augment her college education. But it seemed a fantasy at best: What school would help her fulfill her premed requirements? Would her credits transfer? Could she afford it? And would it defer graduation?

Ultimately, Melissa made it to the United Kingdom and loved the experience so much, she returned the following year. Here's Melissa's story—how she made it happen and why she's glad she did:

What did you study while abroad?
Last summer, I studied at the University of Ireland-Galway, taking elective courses referred to as Irish Studies. It included History, Sociology, Culture, Politics, and Archaeology.

This summer, I completed a United Kingdom medical internship at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was a Medical Elective Attachment through the University of Edinburgh. I spent 200 hours making rounds with medical residents, and I scrubbed in on various surgeries.

How does your study abroad experience play into your Truman education?
This year I will complete my final year at Truman, where I will graduate with a major in Exercise Science and a minor in Biology. I have been accepted to attend Medical School at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall of 2007.

How did your experience help you decide on a career path?
It solidified my desire to become a surgeon. I loved scrubbing-in on surgery. It also opened my eyes to possibly practicing medicine in another country.

Did you always want to study abroad?
I always hoped to study abroad. However, I wasn't sure if it would be feasible as a pre-med student. Some medical schools require the prerequisites for med-school be taken domestically. That's why both of my experiences have been during the summer months.

Why Ireland?
At first I wanted to go to Australia, but not all the classes would transfer from Newcastle to Truman. But I worked with my academic advisors who informed me that Ireland's Irish Studies program would match my degree needs.

Has your worldview changed?
When I had leisure time I would travel. After traveling through 14 countries, I've developed a respect and love for different cultures. The more I travel, the more I want to see.

What advice would you give freshmen about studying abroad?
It's important to your education. Do whatever it takes to make it happen—even if that means completing your degree in five years and taking out another student loan. You will not regret it; you will become more independent, self-assured, and well-rounded.

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When we think of people who hold glamorous professions, we think surgeons, actors, lawyers, senators, musicians, advertising execs—and journalists. Les Dunseith, a 1980 Truman alumnus, has experienced both the sensational hype and nitty-gritty routine of journalism. For over 15 years, Les has been a professional journalist with the renowned LA Times, covering history-making stories like the O.J. Simpson trial, the Rodney King riots, and the election of Schwarzenegger as California's governor.

In a recent interview, Les traces his big-world achievements to his modest beginnings at Truman State University. Here's his story:

Solid Foundation
I learned a lot of the editorial basics in the classroom. Truman helped me get started in my profession and is the foundation for the things I do on a day-to-day basis. When you're 19 or 20 years old, you don't retain the things you need to know 20 years down the line, but without Truman's foundation I couldn't do anything that I'm doing.

The Right Stuff
I always had an interest in art, language, and creative writing. I had a couple of Truman faculty members who saw that natural ability and helped me improve my skills, more than I would have had I just been sitting in the class taking notes.

With their help and through my work with the Truman newspaper, I developed my writing and the ability to think of a story in a visual way. Now as a graphics editor, I look at a major news event, and develop a way to tell the story in illustrations and pictures—not just words. Readers really want to understand things, and a graphic can help them do that.

A Long Way from Kirksville
I've done a number of really important stories that have been of nationwide and international significance. To be able to play a part of that coverage has been exciting and interesting. Although Kirksville is not a place where major or international stories typically happen; it's played a crucial part in my success.

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The first week of any transitional time—like kindergarten, a low-carb diet, a new job, or an exercise regime—is exciting but notoriously difficult. Most incoming freshmen approach their first week of college with a bundle of anticipation and stress to match. They wonder, How will I fit in? Will I miss mom and dad? Can I make the grade? What will I do with my time?

At Truman, a freshman's adjustment to college life is made anxiety-free through a program called Truman Week, a one-week program that takes place the week before the fall semester. During the week, incoming freshmen acquaint themselves with the campus, begin one of their fall courses, get to know their advisors and professors, and participate in group activities where many establish friendships for years to come.

By the end of the week, students feel a sense of belonging—that Truman is their new home. As an incoming freshman, here's what you have to look forward to:

You'll Need an Events Planner
Each night of Truman Week an event is planned to get students connected: ice cream socials, concerts, movies on the lawn, a casino night and dance, a murder mystery, karaoke, and a comedy night, to name a few.

One Truman junior, Abby Wolcott states, "Students who are really lonely and nervous about being at Truman benefit from Truman week because through the scheduled events, they realize they are not alone—that there are a lot of other freshmen just like them." You might even meet your best friend at the ice cream social, like Abby did.

You'll Become Part of a Family
Residence halls also host activities for students to get to know the people whom they're living with. Besides fun and games, they'll do a house-guided tour of the library and campus, or they'll participate in a discussion group about college life. The discussion groups have received rave reviews. One student says, "It's the best icebreaker—I got to know my roommates on a deeper level through the way they expressed their ideas."

You'll Tackle Transitional Issues Head-on
Besides giving students a flavor of what the class will be like, the course freshmen begin during Truman Week covers challenges of academic life: how to prepare for class, how to study after a class, how to study individually and as a group, and how to deal with unexpected grades on first assignments. Early on, students are connected to a faculty member whom they can comfortably approach when problems arise.

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This fall, Truman is opening its new West Campus Suites, a residence hall that defies stereotypical dorm living. Based on apartment-style living, the Suites “are the next step after graduating from your parents’ home,” states Sam Hodges, a Suites student advisor.

Here are the enviable amenities that will make you never want to move on from residence hall living:

• Each suite has two 12 x 15 rooms (two person/room) and one furnished living room (three-person couch, matching chair, coffee table, end table, and entertainment center)
• Carpeted spaces
• Food prep area
• Individual closets with mirrored doors
• Coat closet
• Central air with climate control
• Large bathroom designed to allow several people to get ready at once
• Hall Lobby with gas fireplace
• Convenience store
• Wireless Internet access
• 32" LCD TVs in each floor lounge
• 52" LCD TV and multimedia equipment available in multipurpose room with 42 person seating capacity
• 8 group study rooms
• 6 individual computer work stations
• Kitchenettes and Laundry Facilities on each floor
• 24 hour hall desk

For more pictures of the facilities, you may view our website: http://reslife.truman.edu/facilities/

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