By Scott Jackson
Coming from Moses Lake to study accounting and finance at the Carson College, Jose Lopez didn’t anticipate going abroad. Now a senior with plans to graduate in 2026, Lopez says a faculty-led program in Thailand became a key part of his undergraduate experience.
Supported by Carson programs and a scholarship that made the trip more accessible, Lopez’s experience highlights the college’s commitment to giving students the tools they need to succeed on a global stage.
Finding direction and support at Carson
Inspired in part by his mother, Lopez was already leaning toward a career in business before he started at the Carson College in the fall of 2022.
His mother wore many hats in her role as a manager for a health care facility, assuming responsibilities that dipped into marketing, accounting, and finance, among others. When she began coaching him on these same skills at home, Lopez says it sparked an affinity for finance and accounting that he has carried with him ever since.
As a first-year student, Lopez joined EDGE, a Carson College program designed to support first-generation students. He says it helped him significantly on his academic path.
“That program really kind of shaped my business college experience,” he says. “EDGE leaders showed me all the resources and connected me with a mentor in finance. Any questions I had about finance, I was able to ask him.”
He also joined the Carson College Mentorship Program, where he gained a better understanding of how to lead a successful career in finance.
Lopez eventually began working as a peer financial wellness coach, helping fellow students understand budgeting, taxes, loans, and scholarships. He says it’s a way to give back and to share the same kind of support that helped him along the way.
“We throw events, and we invite students from all over—it doesn’t matter what college they’re part of—to come and learn about personal finance,” Lopez says. “That’s my goal. I want to try to get this financial information out, because there are plenty of resources—actually more than what are being given out.”
Thailand and the transformative power of global experience
Lopez first started looking into study abroad during his sophomore year to fulfill the Carson College’s international experience requirement. He says he knew he wanted to go somewhere in Asia and chose the Thailand program for its affordable, faculty-led format and clear itinerary.
He says knowing the trip would be guided by a Carson professor with lessons conducted in English made the program more approachable.
From the start, Lopez says the experience helped him build self-reliance and practical skills. Navigating international airports alone, handling paperwork in unfamiliar languages, and finding his way in a completely new culture took both planning and adaptability.
“I was really proud of myself that I was able to get all the way to Bangkok, to the right place at the right time,” he says.
During his seven-week stay, Lopez spent time in Bangkok and the coastal province of Krabi, where weekend island excursions made the experience even more memorable. He says one particularly powerful experience was climbing the 1,260 steps to the summit of the Tiger Cave Temple.
“That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he says. “It took about an hour and a half, but it was amazing. Once you got to the top, the view was beautiful, and there’s cultural significance to making the climb.”
Making global learning accessible
Lopez says he is particularly grateful for the scholarship support that helped him make the trip possible. As a finance and accounting student, he was already paying to take classes in the summer, spring, and fall to meet the 150-credit requirement to graduate, and study abroad represented yet another significant expense. However, thanks to a Boeing Scholars scholarship, the cost dropped significantly.
“It made my whole experience so much better when I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to pay for the program,” he says. “Having that resource really freed up my mental space so I could be fully present in Thailand.”
Now that he’s back in the US, Lopez continues to advocate for the value of study abroad—especially for business students. He says the experience not only allows students to see how different cultures and countries approach business but also shows prospective employers they have the ability to learn and grow in a challenging environment.
“Participating in a study abroad experience shows you’re willing to take risks and have the ability to go above and beyond,” he says. “When we graduate, we all look the same on paper, but if you’ve studied abroad, it sets you apart.”
