Students encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities, attend Study Abroad Day
During the 2023-24 academic year, a total of sixty Salve Regina students have taken part in semester abroad programs – bringing study abroad participation back to its pre-pandemic levels and stamping passports in multiple countries that span several continents.
“This spring semester alone, we’ve sent 42 students to our partners in Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, England, Ireland and Australia,” said Joe Meringolo, assistant director of the Center for Global Education and Fellowships.
Students are encouraged to think through study abroad possibilities, and they can do so with weekly information sessions and an upcoming Study Abroad Day on Feb. 26.
A fulfilling global education
Studying internationally offers students an opportunity to gain insights relevant to their academic and personal interests. Immersing oneself in a foreign environment also provides students with the ability to experience an alternative way of life, forge new friendships and adapt to the customs of a different culture.
Alexander Colon ’24, who is majoring in political science with minors in Italian studies and sociology and anthropology, attended Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, in the fall of 2023. He shared his point of view of what helped him adapt to a new environment.
“When I take the trams, I get to see the city go by, I can see the locals go about their days, and I can see the historical monuments of Milan on an average day of commuting,” explained Colon. “The trams have helped me acclimate to this city a ton.”
Photo of Duomo di Milano, taken by Colon while studying abroad in Milan, Italy.
Salve also offers multiple short-term study abroad programs each year. From Maine to Brazil, students have the option of immersing themselves in new environments and cultures without the commitment of a semester or year-long program.
“We have seen the most growth this year in short-term study abroad and study away programs where we expect over 100 students to take part once the summer concludes,” said Erin FitzGerald, director of the Center for Global Education and Fellowships.
Most recently, 15 students traveled to Brazil — where they explored the tropical ecology of the Amazon. This week-long program took students by boat far into the rainforest via a major river in the Amazon Basin, the Rio Negro, to explore both the tropical ecology and the cultures of local families — all while receiving academic credit.
“It’s hard to conserve what you don’t know, so it’s important to be in those places that we talk about as being critically important in this age of conservation and mass extinction,” explained Dr. Jameson Chace, faculty leader of the trip and professor and chair in the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies.
Where to start with study abroad questions
The Center for Global Education and Fellowships offers over 200 programs in over 30 countries for undergraduate students at Salve Regina — including year-long, semester-long and short-term opportunities.
For students who aren’t sure where to start in the process of thinking about studying abroad, 20-30 minute information sessions are happening all semester. These sessions are led by a student global ambassador, and the sessions cover study abroad options, key factors to consider and creating a roadmap to making study abroad a reality.
All students are welcome to drop in for a study abroad information session. These information sessions are typically held every Monday through Thursday at 4 p.m., as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. in Drexel Hall. No registration is needed, but students can check the info session schedule and register in advance here.
The deadline for applying for the fall 2024 semester and the 2024-2025 academic year is Friday, March 15.
Study Abroad Day – Feb. 26
This year, Salve’s Study Abroad Day celebration is taking place on Monday, Feb. 26. This holiday aims to promote study abroad opportunities and emphasizes the benefits of studying internationally.
There will be multiple events in this day, which are listed below:
Study Abroad Day Flag Challenge
9 a.m. – noon, front lawn of Drexel Hall
The Global Salve office will be hosting its second annual Study Abroad Day flag challenge. Students will guess the countries of assorted flags and Global Salve will share how many each team gets correct! All participants who attempt the flag challenge will be entered to win a raffle.
Connecting Cultures
1:30-2:30 p.m., lobby of O’Hare Academic Building
Come learn about customs and culture from visiting students from our exchange partners to gain local perspectives.
Study Abroad Gallery Walk
Noon – 3 p.m., lobby of O’Hare Academic Building
See photos, excerpts from blogs and past entries from the Center for Global Education and Fellowships’ “Capture It” contest. This gallery aims to provide a visual sense of what studying abroad could look like for students.
Peace Corps and School of International Training (SIT)
1-3 p.m., lobby of O’Hare Academic Building
Two University partners — the School for International Training (SIT) and the Peace Corps — will be present to talk with students interested in potential study abroad opportunities (SIT) or potential opportunities for global experiences after Salve in the Peace Corps.
Cultural Night
6 p.m., Mercy Center for Spiritual Life
Salve’s Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) will be making crepes and empanadas to honor different international cuisines and cultures. Supplies will be limited.
For more information, and to register for these events, please visit the Study Abroad Day Linktree and follow Global Salve on Instagram to get the latest updates on Study Abroad Day.
