By Amelia Orwick

The UK Education Abroad program has seen major change since Anthony Ogden stepped into the Director’s position one year ago.

After spending a significant amount of time studying abroad himself, Ogden returned to his home state to focus on helping students to have the best international experiences possible.

Since Ogden took the reins last year, education abroad has come to mean something different. Not only does it include studies, but it also encompasses research and internships.

“It’s not about where you want to go,” Ogden said. “It’s about what you want to do.”

Rather than choose a location first, Ogden wants students to consider their major and the type of program that would benefit them.

In addition, Ogden has made the process of choosing a program less stressful for students by featuring fewer third-party providers.

“There has been more of a focus on local, homegrown programs, which is a big advantage for students when it comes to cost,” John Dizgun, the assistant director of the Kentucky Institute for International Studies, said.

Even UK faculty are now leading students abroad, which has created one of the closest bonds between the university and Education Abroad program that UK has ever seen.

Perhaps one of Ogden’s biggest accomplishments is his founding of the Kentucky Council on Education Abroad.

The council includes representatives from every college and university in the state and will hold its first meeting at UK on Oct. 26.

Although UK has the largest education abroad program in the state, other universities around the nation graduate more students with international experience, Ogden said.

The council will work to advance programs across the state and send more students abroad than ever before.

“Whether it be WKU students or UK students, I want them all to graduate with international experience,” Ogden said.

Susan Carvalho, the associate provost for International Programs, recognizes that Ogden’s sole concern isn’t the reputation of his own university.

“Tony is really working for the improvement of our entire state,” she said.

During his tenure at UK, Ogden also would like to better utilize technology and increase the number of scholarships available to students, Ogden said.

Ogden didn’t hesitate to say his favorite part of the job was working with the faculty and staff. “I had forgotten how nice people in Kentucky are,” he said. “I love working with the faculty and I think that they really share my enthusiasm.”

And Carvalho does.

“Tony is a good friend, in addition to a colleague. He is good-natured, transparent and has a strong sense of integrity that has earned him a strong social network even after only one year here,” she said.

Ogden’s vision for UK Education Abroad is being carried out swiftly and leaves many with hope for the program’s future.

“He has created a clear vision at UK for why study abroad is important to students’ academic careers and post-academic careers,” Dizgun said.