Dreaming of studying abroad in college? Go to Loyola and Go Global.

This time of year, the Loyola admission staff members are working with prospective high school juniors and meeting with admitted students who will potentially enroll at Loyola as members of the Class of 2015.  One of the biggest questions at any college fair or during an admitted student appointment is about the opportunity to study abroad.  I love that high school students are tuned in more than ever to the possibility that awaits them to go abroad while in college.  Loyola is an outstanding supporter of students going abroad and offers many options.  Nearly 40% of Loyola undergraduates will do so at some point in their college career.  As the tag reads, “Go Global, Go Loyola.”

It never ceases to amaze me how Loyola builds relationships all over the globe with so many different people.  We have more than 100 programs in 55 countries and students are always excited to think about our very own campus in Rome, the John Felice Rome Center; our connection to the Beijing Center for Chinese Studies; or even our new footprint into Vietnam.

Having just visited the Rome Center, I am pleased to share that the study abroad experience is one that students would love to repeat for an additional semester, and sometimes they do!  I met with current students from Chicago, a small town in Iowa, Indianapolis, Madison, Denver, Honolulu, St. Louis, and elsewhere.  One student was thrilled to hear that business classes will be offered this fall in Rome, so she wants to return in August. Another student will leave Rome at the end of the term, and afterward will visit family in the Ukraine. Studying at the Rome Center allows her to be closer to her family members and she has loved attending classes there, so she may return as well.

As I was preparing to leave, I joined a few students at breakfast who were enjoying their coffee.  It was raining in Rome, which typically slows everything down a bit more, but it didn’t make a difference to the students I was talking to.  One said, “How bad can it be that we have a class ‘Art in the Roman World’ and our biggest concern is catching the 990 bus to Santa Maria Maggiore?”  He is quite right, it isn’t so bad.

P.S. If you are really interested in a diverse study abroad mixed with an opportunity to research check out Loyola’s Ricci Scholars Program!