During the 2023-2024 academic year, students, faculty, and staff continued to move the university ever onward toward the international goals of UST’s strategic vision, Greater Things 2030. One of those international goals is to provide a vibrant and diverse array of international educational mobility opportunities through faculty-led studies abroad and student exchange with sister universities throughout the world.
With 91 Celts studying across 16 countries throughout the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia, UST continues to expand individual and group study abroad options for undergraduate and graduate Celts. UST has offered faculty-led studies abroad since the first program in Merida, Mexico, provided Spanish language and culture classes in the early 1970s. The university now offers eight to nine group destinations each year.
Last academic year, faculty-led programs included the following:
Ms. Regine Gonzales, assistant director of the Office of International Services & Study Abroad, works with faculty during the run-up to and execution of faculty-led programs. She accompanied Dr. Crystal Tran’s Vietnam group last summer and has seen firsthand the program’s impact on students.
Gonzalez said, “These programs foster networking, improve language skills, and add valuable international experience to resumes, all while encouraging collaboration and lasting friendships among a diverse group of learners.”
Celts studied for one or two semesters at sister universities in Argentina, France, Japan, Spain and Taiwan. Incoming exchange students traveled from sister universities in France, Spain, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, and Ireland. For the first time, a student from Notre Dame University Louaize in Lebanon participated in a (virtual) semester exchange with UST.
Study Abroad Advisor Ms. Andrea Pineda surveys students upon their return from a semester abroad and notes, “Many students highlight their personal growth on exchange programs, pointing out they become more independent and self-aware.”
UST now offers individual student exchange opportunities of one or two semesters at nearly 35 universities in 16 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The number of destinations has more than doubled since 2021 as UST continues to expand its global network. These credit hours are treated as if they were taken in residence at UST so students can use their UST scholarships and financial aid to support their adventure. While students may take courses in the local language, English-taught courses are widely available at most partners.
Scholarships Help Open the World to Celts
Last year, more than 50 students received additional scholarship support for studies abroad from the Celt Study Abroad Scholarship, Center for Irish Studies, Mandarin Center, Taiwan and East Asia Studies Program, and Department of Psychology. Thanks to generous gifts from community friends this August, UST will be able to increase the number and amount of Celt Study Abroad Scholarship awards for individual and faculty-led studies abroad.
Plans for the New Academic Year
Plans are underway for faculty-led programs this year with prospective group travel to Belize, Kenya, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain and Taiwan, to name a few destinations. More details will be published soon. Individual Celts have already made plans to start the fall at various sister universities in Argentina, France, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan.
Faculty interested in leading a program should contact Associate Vice President for International Relations & Engagement Dr. Hans Stockton. Students wanting to learn more about study abroad options can visit the Study Abroad Program webpage and contact Study Abroad Advisor Ms. Andrea Pineda at studyabroad@stthom.edu.