North Carolina A&T State University graduate and employee James T. Griffin has a better understanding of the cliché, “be careful what you ask for...”

While enrolled as a graduate student in the adult education program, he set a goal to study abroad. After a conversation with Minnie Battle Mayes, the director of the Office of International Programs, Griffin learned that it was possible.

“I asked her if I could and her answer was ‘yes, as long as you are a registered student and meet all of the criteria’,” Griffin said.

He was given the opportunity to go but he had to decline – the first time.
“I realized I didn’t have the money and I became apprehensive about traveling so far away,” Griffin said.

He has always wanted to travel abroad and particularly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“It is such a beautiful country and I am fascinated by the people and their culture,” he said.

Griffin received his master’s in adult education in December. He is co-chair of the N.C. A&T Staff Senate and has worked in the facilities division as the real property agent for nine years.

Months after his conversation with Mayes, the subject of his study abroad cropped up again. She asked if he was still going to Brazil, he had to tell her he didn’t have the money.

“She told me, ‘You are going to Brazil,’ I asked her if she had money for me and she said ‘yes’,” Griffin said.

He had to convince his advisor to complete his practicum and create a study abroad program for master’s students in adult education and make sure he had enough vacation time to cover the length of his trip. Everything worked out and Griffin was awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

“I had to really plan ahead to make this happen.  I had to figure out who was going to take care of my dog, my yard, and my tenants, pay my bills and many other things that happen on a monthly basis,” he said.

Before going abroad Griffin set goals that included sharing his study abroad experience once he returned; creating a partnership between the Human Development and Service Department and Office of International Programs that would outline the process for potential candidates in the field of adult education to participate in the study abroad process; and to create a scholarship within the department to be named after his advisor Dr. Bernadine Chapman.

“This experience allowed me to observe not only the educational aspect of studying abroad but gave me the tangible experience of living among the Brazilian people,” Griffin said. “It not only benefited me, but other students pursuing a master degree in the Department of Human Development and Services.”