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  • Creative Thesis Inspiration Found While Abroad

    Oct 18, 2019 4:30 pm

    “I spent my semester abroad in Perth, which is on the southwest coast of Australia. I grew up in Los Angeles on the southwest coast of the United States and spent a lot of time as a child around water. Being in that environment was quite inspirational to me. I had vague ideas about wanting to create a piece revolving around bodies of water and their parallels to the human body, but my concrete ideas formed and came to life during my time in Perth. I directed a video that serves as the first of three parts that make up my senior thesis in collaboration with composers and videographers who also attended the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. We visited several national parks around Western Australia to film the video, so that was a great way to explore areas outside of Perth. I grew more confident in myself as an artist when creating this piece. It embodies a part of who I’ve always been, and a part of myself that I grew into throughout this experience.” -- Symone Sanz, senior in dance

  • There and Back Again: Sarah at Korea U.

    Aug 9, 2017 3:45 pm

    Originally from Minooka Illinois, Sarah chose to attend Illinois due to the Korean Language courses available and the strong support from the College of Education to study abroad. Sarah studied at Korea University in Seoul on two separate occasions, citing her first experience and a desire to take more courses as the motivation to go abroad again.

  • Discovering the Many Facets of Costa Rica

    Feb 27, 2020 9:00 am

    “In my classes, I learned about all of Latin America, not just Costa Rica. I really enjoyed this broad curriculum because it complemented my out-of-classroom experiences. It was interesting to learn about migration as a global phenomenon in the context of prevalent economic migration to Costa Rica. Both my coursework and the conversations that I had with locals sparked an interest in this topic that I could see translating into my future career path.”

  • Living in The Lion City

    Nov 13, 2018 1:30 pm

    When asked if there was one place you would visit again, Jiayi Xu, a senior studying Mathematics and Statistics, replied without hesitation that she would visit her host university – The National University of Singapore – to catch up with old friends and to see the campus again.

  • Study Abroad Programs A to Z

    Nov 3, 2017 10:45 am

    The University of Illinois offers literally hundreds of study abroad programs suited for every student interested in studying abroad. Having all of these options can be exciting, but it can be overwhelming to decide on a program.

  • How Study Abroad Prepared Me For Med School

    May 9, 2019 2:15 pm

    Arnold Oparanozie, a senior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Global Studies with a minor in Chemistry, studied at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain to work on his Spanish language skills.

  • Illinois Corn to Italian Grapes: A Summer in Rome

    Nov 10, 2017 12:00 pm

    Studying abroad in a foreign country is an incredible experience, but having an internship in that country is an exclusive opportunity available to Illinois students. Christy Allen, a junior in Agricultural Communications, took advantage of this opportunity by studying abroad in Rome while also participating in an internship during Summer 2017.

  • Studying Politics in Switzerland and Interning For the British Parliament

    Feb 13, 2020 9:30 am

    “After a semester of studying politics in Geneva, Switzerland, I was able to intern at the British Parliament and gained a lot of experience working on public safety initiatives. It was an incredible experience that advanced my professional development. I also experienced British politics on a large scale, but also a small-scale when working with the constituency office. I came back to Illinois having grown professionally, academically and personally. Studying abroad on these programs gave me opportunities to flourish.”  -- Katherine East, junior in Political Science

  • nicole park

    Virtual Global Experience Spotlight: Nicole Park, VA Corps - South Africa

    Oct 1, 2021 11:30 am

    "Through this internship, I was able to develop my collaboration, networking, andinvestigation skills during my group-based learning projects with global organizations likeUNAids."

  • Studying Abroad: Where to Start

    Mar 15, 2018 2:30 pm

    Studying abroad has the potential to be one of the most meaningful experiences of your college career. That being said, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. We’re here to guide you to some of the most helpful resources.

  • Just Do the Thing: Learning in and Out of the Classroom

    Oct 11, 2019 2:30 pm

    “I stared back in awe at the undeniable beauty the Cathédrale Notre-Dame epitomized. I don’t know what it was about that day, April 14th to be exact, that compelled me to fixate on the monument. But I’m really glad that I did because the next day it was on fire. That seemingly normal taxi ride as we concluded our spring break in Paris is one I will never forget. Being close to such a sad event was a wake up call reminding me that every opportunity in life should be taken before it’s gone. Whether it’s holding onto one last look or embracing any experience that comes my way, it’s a reminder that life is oh-so-fragile. It’s a reminder to just do the thing. Because of this re-instilled urgency to live life to its fullest, I hiked Monte Brè in Switzerland, and it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.” -- Maddie Ehret, senior in journalism

  • Funding Your Study Abroad

    Sep 21, 2018 12:00 pm

    Cost can be one of the most important factors to consider while researching programs. This guide will help you with factors to consider during the planning process, financial aid/scholarships opportunities, and budgeting advice.

  • Internships Abroad: Emma in New Zealand

    Aug 9, 2017 3:15 pm

    One of the best ways to learn is through hands on experiences. Learn about Emma Woods’ study abroad experience in New Zealand and how she got the chance to learn through exploration and hands on professional experience.

  • Gilman Scholarship: Victoria Pai at Yonsei U.

    Aug 10, 2017 10:30 am

    Victoria was awarded the Gilman Scholarship—a grant for U.S. citizen undergraduate students to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing internships abroad—for her study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea during the Academic Year of 2014-2015.

     

  • The U.S. From an Italian's Perspective

    Jan 16, 2018 2:45 pm

    There is so much to learn from Illini that have studied abroad, but there is just as much to learn from students that are currently studying abroad at U of I. 

  • Madison Garcia (right) and a classmate at a genomics lab

    Exploring Research Interests in Greece

    Oct 17, 2022 3:00 pm

    "During my time conducting experiments in a research internship for Perrotis College in the American Farm School located in Thessaloniki, Greece, I learned a lot academically, internally, and culturally, all of which has changed my outlook on life."

  • Australia: Studying Abroad Oceans Away

    Apr 6, 2018 12:45 pm

    Studying abroad with people you are familiar with can make experiencing another country less intimidating. But Tom Hartney, a senior majoring in English and minoring in Business, felt that studying abroad in a country that had no familiar faces would be more beneficial to his experience.

  • Returning from Spain with a Spanish Major

    May 9, 2018 12:45 pm

    Getting academic credit while studying abroad is one of the many advantages to studying in another country, and sometimes you’re even able to earn credit toward a course of study you had never anticipated. This is what happened to senior Paulina Kocoń when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain on the Liberal Arts and Sciences’ S&P program during the Spring of 2016.

  • Talking to Family About Study Abroad

    Dec 8, 2017 10:45 am

    You’ve decided to study abroad, that’s awesome! Now it’s time to talk to your parents about your plans.

  • 4 Study Abroad Scholarships in 4 Minutes

    Oct 13, 2017 11:15 am

    Don’t let the cost of studying abroad deter you from a priceless experience.  Although the cost of studying abroad is often comparable to studying at Illinois, applying for scholarships can help offset your expenses.

  • Cape Town in Four Weeks or Less

    Nov 17, 2017 1:45 pm

    Many students believe they won't have time to study abroad during their college career but there are plenty of programs available during the Summer term as well as during Winter and Spring breaks. Natalie Szot participated in ACES Faculty-Led Program: Service Learning, Child, Family, Health and Agriculture in South Africa during the Summer 2017 term.

  • Host Families: The Best Housing in Bilbao

    Feb 16, 2018 2:45 pm

    Studying abroad is an experience that allows you to learn more about yourself as well as the different cultures you’ll interact with. But living with a host family during your time abroad, like Roberto Estrada Lobo did while studying at the Universidad de Deusto - Bilbao, allows you to be immersed in a culture each and every day.   

  • Interning in Ecuador

    Feb 11, 2019 11:00 am

    Having previously traveled to South America, Clarita Sullivan, a Junior majoring in Political Science, knew she had to return back to the continent as her study abroad destination.

  • Identity Reflection in Ghana

    Jan 29, 2020 2:15 pm

    “One integral part of the program was identity reflection. Although I don’t personally have Ghanian roots, I feel as though I had impactful experiences that translated into reflecting on my own identity, particularly my race. Our professor and TA incorporated group discussions after every cultural activity. It was powerful and educational to hear what my peers took from our experiences and how they related it to their life and identity. Being on a program like this was very special to me.” - Rosianna Alexander, senior in Human Development and Family Studies

  • Connection and Family In Costa Rica

    Oct 28, 2019 10:00 am

    “A cool part of going on a small program is how close you get with the people you go with. In our case, we all lived with host families, who even got to know each other. My friend’s host sister took us all around San Joaquin and we all climbed a mountain together! It was really cool because I wouldn’t have had that experience without the close connection between our host families. I also loved getting to bond with locals on a deeper level, not just my host family!”

  • A Year in Hong Kong

    Mar 5, 2018 3:00 pm

    Not only does Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange offer programs during the semester, but we also offer students the opportunity to spend an academic year abroad on select programs. Anita Kwan, a senior studying East Asian Languages and Cultures as well as Economics, took this opportunity to study at the University of Hong Kong for the 2016-2017 academic term.

  • To Jordan (then Austria) and Back

    Sep 29, 2017 10:15 am

    Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your college career. But studying abroad twice - that can be the opportunity of a lifetime. Read about Ester Fang's study abroad expereince in Amman, Jordan as well as Vienna, Austria. 

  • A Spring Spent at VU Amsterdam

    Jan 26, 2018 1:30 pm

    Many students would view an extra semester of school as disappointing, but Alejandro saw it as an opportunity to study abroad.

  • Inclusive Teaching Philosophy Inspired In Granada

    Nov 13, 2019 3:30 pm

    “Granada is a city that is so rich in history and culture from different groups of people. This whole experience really strengthened my belief in the importance of inclusivity in language education curriculum. As a Spanish teacher, I will make it a point to ensure that when teaching history, everybody’s history is a part of the lesson. When teaching the language itself, I think it is so important to teach the different variations of how things are said in Spain, Latin America and South America. It’s one language, but spoken in many different (yet equally beautiful) ways. I can’t wait to teach my students as inclusive of a version of Spanish as I can.” - Daniel Donovan, junior in Spanish Education

  • Achieving Professional Goals Abroad

    Apr 27, 2018 12:15 pm

    Studying abroad is an experience that allows you to learn about yourself as well as the world around you, but it also enables you to grow professionally and provides you with skills and experiences that will benefit you professionally.

  • There and Back Again: Jacklyn Montiel in Granada

    Aug 9, 2017 3:30 pm

    Sometimes studing in a country once just isn't enough. Read about Jacklyn's study abroad experience in Granada, Spain and how she intends to study there again. 

  • 365 Days of Brazil

    Oct 25, 2017 11:30 am

    Everyone has different ideas about where they want to study abroad and what culture they want to experience. Mary Gan, a senior majoring in Agricultural Consumer Economics with a minor in Portuguese, spent a year in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil at the University of São Paulo-ESALQ.

  • A Semester in Pavila, Italy

    Apr 28, 2023 12:00 pm

  • Navigating Accessibility In Stirling

    Dec 4, 2019 1:00 pm

    “I was unsure about the culture around disabilities in the UK or what resources would be available to me, but I eventually made a personal decision not to take her [Gaza]. I found that the UK was inclusive, accommodating, and welcoming – when people saw having difficulty with my cane at the airport, or that I was struggling to keep up with the group, they put out a hand, asked if they could assist me, or waited for me to catch up. While abroad, I climbed the 246 steps of the National Wallace Monument and at the end of my program, I even gained enough confidence to climb Dumyat Hill with the people on my program. I love Gaza. She is a part of me, and always will be, but my identity had become ‘the girl with the dog.’ My study abroad experience allowed me to do the self-healing that I needed.”

  • My Study Abroad in Four Minutes or Less

    Feb 9, 2018 2:30 pm

    Some students know they want to study abroad, but are unsure where to start looking for program information. Others don’t know if studying abroad is for them and want to explore their options. Either way, visiting the My Study Abroad program search is one of the best places to start.  

  • Learning Languages As A Vessel For Religious Exploration

    Nov 7, 2019 12:00 pm

    “I was raised a Reform Jew, but not really practicing. I learned and went through the motions but didn’t feel a strong connection. My freshman year of college, I converted to Catholicism and found myself feeling more at home. Being Jewish is still a part of who I am, even though my faith is Catholic. At times it is difficult to reconcile the two parts of my identity, but this experience in Israel helped me realize that I can embrace these parts of myself both separately and at the same time. It was really helpful to find the Hebrew Catholics while I was there, who assisted in me reconciling and accepting that I can be both Jewish and Catholic. Jerusalem will always be a special place for me because of the role it played in helping me connect to my identity.” - Maxine Katz, senior in religion & Spanish

  • Program Assistants: A Go-To Resource

    Feb 23, 2018 12:45 pm

    Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange offers a variety of resources to help students explore and select the program that is right for them. One of those many resources include our student staff, called Program Assistants.

  • Q&A with Violetta Montañez

    Nov 8, 2017 10:30 am

    From storied.illinois.edu

    Violetta found her passion on a study abroad trip to Australia. Now she plans to take that inspiration back to her beloved Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen, connecting residents with the healthcare services they need.