By: Sarah McCall

Being at a small school often means fewer study-abroad opportunities compared to larger institutions. However, that is not the case with Wesleyan, which offers numerous opportunities both through the school itself and in partnership with external organizations.

Wesleyan offers many different programs with its professors from Wesleyan. One trip that many students took was to Ireland. They spent 3 weeks exploring all over the country of Ireland. They went to places such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Dublin, Galway, and many more small towns. 

Laine Stover, who is a graduate from Wesleyan and attended this trip says, “The amount of activities we were able to squeeze into 3 short weeks was amazing! We also had free time, of course, but I appreciated the dedication & desire to see as much as we did”.

This invaluable experience with Wesleyan professors is one way to study abroad, but there are also many other ways to study abroad. There are many opportunities through independent study abroad programs. Wesleyan students have the opportunity to go for a whole semester or a shortened period in the summer or during winter break. 

Wesleyan students can also benefit from a range of partnerships with outside organizations, expanding their study-abroad options beyond faculty-led trips. Through collaborations with established international study programs, students have the flexibility to select from a broad spectrum of destinations and program structures. These external programs offer opportunities tailored to specific academic interests, language immersion, and cultural experiences that go beyond what might be possible in traditional classroom settings.

Gabi Bowman, who is a Wesleyan student, used an outside organization to travel abroad, “ I was able to get this opportunity from Dr. Bailey, she helped me apply for the study abroad scholarship which helped pay for my whole trip. I’ve always dreamed of studying abroad and Dr. Bailey made that happen for me.”

While studying abroad Bowman got to experience a month long cooking class in Valencia Spain, traveling to Barcleona and Altea Spain, white water rafting, kayaking through caves, and more. This experience was all through USAC, which offers study abroad opportunities to students.

Wesleyan stands out among other small schools by providing a wide array of study-abroad opportunities that enhance students’ educational experiences. From programs led by faculty to independent study options that allow for semester-long adventures or shorter trips, Wesleyan ensures that its students can explore the world while earning academic credit.

Photo by Sarah McCall