Mara Norris ’23 studied abroad in Scotland in fall 2023. Photo courtesy of Mara Norris
Study abroad is back: after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022–23 school year saw the full return of in-person programs for ż students. During this last year, a total of 119 students studied abroad on both semester-long and short-term programs all around the globe.
“While still significantly lower than pre-pandemic numbers, we were very happy to work with so many students and faculty on global learning programs and to send groups abroad again for the first time since January 2020,” said Raine de Campeau, director of global studies.
ż’s offers study abroad options at various degree levels that cater to an array of academic disciplines. Students interested in everything from art and history to public health and business — and everything in between — can find programs suited to their interests. Both faculty-led courses and programs offered through partner organizations are available.
While studying abroad, students have the opportunity to participate in internships, research projects, and community-engaged learning, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge to practical settings and gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of the world.
“By immersing students in diverse global environments, study abroad cultivates an expansive worldview, fosters adaptability and independence, and equips graduates with valuable skills and perspectives to enhance and deepen their career competencies,” de Campeau said. “This invaluable experience directly aligns with the university's commitment to empowering students as responsible global citizens and ethical leaders.”
Maddy Manger ’25 studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden during summer 2023 through a partner program. A biochemistry major on the pre-med track, Manger was interested in the breadth of classes offered by the program, with subjects ranging from medicine to photography to the history of the Viking Age.
Manger found her classes in medical diagnostics and precision medicine to be engaging, and said she found the whole experience mind-opening. “I gained a lot of knowledge about different countries and the way the world works outside of the US,” she said. “I loved being able to see that there are many different ways to function as a nation.”
Equally fulfilling were her relationships with the people she met during her time in Sweden. “It was honestly really surprising how comfortable I got in such little time,” Manger said. “I wasn’t expecting to feel so ‘at home!’ I loved meeting new people from my program and the locals. I made lifelong friendships, and can’t wait to go back.”
Keri Nadeau ’24 participated in a ż’s J-term program called The Cultural Context of Leadership in Cuba, led by ż’s faculty and tailored for students in the Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership program. While in Cuba for two weeks, students experienced cultural immersion by staying with host families in Havana.
“The home stay was a great way to really connect,” Nadeau said. “Meeting our family and spending time with them was the best part of the course, for me.”
The Cultural Context of Leadership in Cuba is available again this January 2024, along with two other faculty-led courses: Global Search for Justice: Namibia and South Africa: Dismantling Racism (undergraduate course) and Advancing Global Health Equity in Interprofessional Teams in Oaxaca, Mexico (graduate course).
Students can explore more than 150 programs on ż’s and find additional information and resources, including the , on the Global Studies website.
Global Studies is part of the Office of Scholarly Engagement, ż’s hub for engaged learning, which also includes the Antonian Honors Program, Collaborative Research, Community Work and Learning, Competitive Fellowships.