Students Gain International Experience with Study Abroad

London, Osaka, Dublin and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador were just a few of the global locations visited by University of Scranton students and chaperones throughout the 2024 intersession. More than100 students took part in trips abroad, according to University's Associate Director of Global Education Kara Kofira Bishop.

Royals studied nursing, physical rehabilitation, South American health systems, and tropical biology, among other courses, listed below, all while absorbing local cultures and communing with residents. Here, four students share their experiences through photography and discussion.

2024 Intersession Study Abroad 

AIFS Abroad in Dublin

AIFS January in Rome 

AIFS Abroad in London: January Term.

AIFS Abroad in Stellenbosch: January Term

(D) Global Ireland 284 in Dublin 

(D) NURS 496 in Dublin 

(D) HAD 595 South America Health Systems Rio de Janeiro,

Brazil Galapagos Island 

(D) (E) BIOL195 Tropical Biology in Galapagos, Ecuador 

OT 480: Level I, Clinical III- Physical Rehabilitation

Study Abroad trip to Dingle 

Study Abroad trip to Kyoto, Japan 

For details on the Study Abroad program, visit The Office of Global Education.

Meet: Kelly Klein '25

Destination: AIFS Abroad in London

Hometown: Melville, New York

Major: Marketing 

Plans after graduation: As of now, I’m interested in gaining work experience in the business field, specifically marketing, to start my career. With this experience, I’m considering returning to London and working toward my master's in business administration.

"Before I came to Scranton, I knew I wanted to study abroad after my first trip to Europe back in high school. I was interested in a program that directly connected to my major and London felt like the perfect fit since it is known for being one of the world’s largest hubs for business."

The program included 30 students and three from The University of Scranton.

"Going into my program, I mainly wanted to do as much as possible and try new experiences I wouldn’t be able to have at home. I have also always been interested in working internationally, so I was hopeful studying abroad would give me experience navigating and adapting to life in another country.

Through my class and program, I was able to visit many of London’s iconic sites such as the London Eye, Big Ben, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Harrod’s, London Bridge, the Victoria and Albert Museum and more. AIFS also planned several activities for us, including a show at Top Secret Comedy Club, fish and chips dinner, a sightseeing bus tour, and "The Play That Goes Wrong." In addition to this, we were given the opportunity to take a day trip to Oxford to tour the university and city. I lived in a student accommodation in Vauxhall, where I was able to meet other students studying in London from all around the world. We even had an incredible view of the city and River Thames from our flat."

Despite speaking the same language, Klein said she noted many cultural differences between the United States and United Kingdom that she wasn’t fully aware of previously, such as the manners of dress and interaction.

"Over the three weeks, I was able to adapt to many of these changes and have gained a new perspective.

Every day, my class was a mixture of lecture and trips, so we could experience what we were learning about firsthand. For example, we visited Battersea Powerstation, which is a well-known shopping mall, to gain insight on London’s target markets and understand which stores appeal to different demographics. I genuinely enjoyed this style of learning, and it gave me the opportunity to visit places I would not have known of otherwise."

Robert Miles '24, Study Abroad in Kyoto, Japan

Hometown: Oakland, New Jersey

Major: Cybercrime and homeland security, minor in computer science and criminology. 

During intersession, Robert Miles '24, spent January 2 - 24 in Japan with approximately 40 other students in the CIEE January program. He said he chose Kyoto for its rich historical background. 

"My goal for the trip was to try and see all the temples and shrines in Kyoto, but that turned out to be an impossible task. There were so many small shrines scattered throughout the city that I could not get it completed within a month," said Miles.

While in Japan, he took a weekend trip to Tokyo and another to Osaka. 

"One of the highlights was during the last week of the trip. We took a day trip to Inari Shrine... more of a hike through a thousand torii gates. These gates guided your way through the path and up the mountain to the summit," said Miles, referencing the Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates.

He mentioned other activities. "We hiked up to Arashiyama Monkey Park while wearing traditional kimonos."

Among his adventures, Miles visited a deer park in Nara, shown here. "It cost only 200 yen to buy crackers to feed the deer. The deer would respectfully bow to you first to be given food."

Miles was impressed with the hospitality of the people of Japan.

"They were always happy to see foreigners and seemed to enjoy the presence of other people respectfully exploring their culture. ... The Japanese people were always willing to help with either directions or taking your photo."

Emily Langan, '25, (D) (E) BIOL195 Tropical Biology in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador 

Hometown: Greentown, Pennsylvania

Major: Neuroscience

"I have taken a few classes with one of the faculty leading the trip, Dr. Seid. He and other students I knew had always spoken very highly of this trip and how much of an amazing experience it is. I wasn’t able to go my freshman year, but I knew this was a once in a lifetime experience, and wanted to go the next time it was offered," said Emily Langan.

She noted there were 14 students and two biology professors in attendance, Dr. Marc Seid and Dr. Gary Kwiecinski. Their goal: "Observe how unique the Galapagos are. Because the Galapagos are so secluded from mainland Ecuador, there are very little external influences on the species that live there, making it the perfect place to go and observe unique species there such as marine iguanas, the giant tortoise and the saddle back tortoise."

The Galapagos study abroad students visited three islands: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela.

o   San Cristobal: "We went snorkeling at Kicker rock, which is the remains of a volcanic tuff cone. This was interesting because it was snorkeling in the open ocean, and we got to swim with hammerhead sharks. While riding on the boat to Kicker Rock, a pod of 300-500 dolphins were swimming next to our boat."

o   Santa Cruz: "While on Santa Cruz, we learned how to surf at Tortuga Bay, which is something I’ve never tried to do before."

o   Isabela: "We hiked from the bottom to the top of an active volcano (Sierra Negra). It was interesting to see how the climate changed. At the bottom it was cold and foggy, and by the time you got to the top it was hot and dry with no vegetation at all. Walking along the lava rocks was very difficult, but the views from the top were absolutely stunning."

"I’ve been taught about Charles Darwin many times throughout my life. So, having the realization that I was standing in the same spots that he once stood nearly 200 years ago felt a bit surreal, and realizing that I’m observing the same wildlife that inspired him to later develop his theory of evolution," said Langan.

Jessica Fedroff '24, (D) NURS 496 in Dublin 

Hometown: Towaco, New Jersey

Major: Nursing 

Jessica Fedroff '24, was one of 17 students and two professors on a recent study abroad trip to Dublin, Ireland. She said her goals for the trip were to learn as much as possible about the culture and to see the differences between the U.S. healthcare system and the Irish healthcare system.

"I became interested in the nursing program trip to Dublin my junior year. I heard through friends and professors about this opportunity, and it became clear to me that going to Ireland was a must. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of seeing a country I have always dreamed of going to and learning about their healthcare system and how nurses are involved in it," said Fedroff.

"We stayed in Dublin for two weeks. During that time we had the opportunity for tours and excursions. Some of my favorites were the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, Giant's Causeway, Croke Park, and of course, Trinity College in Dublin," said Fedroff.

"What surprised me most about the trip was the number of excursions we did as a group. We were able to see so many amazing places while being in Ireland!"