By Zoe DeFazio, Asst. Arts and Entertainment Editor

Manhattan College’s study abroad program has opened its doors to new possibilities, with a new expansion of this program that can help students who prefer kinesthetic learning. 

This winter, there are 76 students traveling to a number of locations such as Iceland, Norway, Sweden,  Denmark, Spain, Italy and France in 6 different courses. 

According to manhattan.edu, “Students who participate in study abroad typically find it to be one of the best experiences of their entire college careers. Regardless of your major, cross-cultural experiences in new environments can lead to personal and academic growth and change the way you see the world and yourself.”

There are currently confirmed trips already for the summer, but the rest will come out soon. Students can travel to Ghana with Jawanza Eric Clark, Ph.D., associate professor of religious studies to learn about intersections among the environment, religion and land dispossessions. 

Students can also travel halfway around the world in the other direction to Japan with Paul Droubie, Ph.D., the history department chairperson to examine the historical significance of heritage tourism. 

 Brian Chalk, Ph.D., an English professor, will lead an engaging and long-standing literary London course in May for English majors and all non-majors.  

 Manhattan College students can opt to travel abroad and take a full load of courses at one of our partner universities abroad. At the moment, students can spend a semester abroad in France, Spain, Italy, the Philippines, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, the Czech Republic and any of the 65 LaSallian Universities around the world.

Emmett Ryan, professor of English and co-executive director of global engagement and study abroad, wrote an email to The Quadrangle about the new ideas that the study abroad department plans to carry out. 

“A major goal is to expand our exchange partnerships with an even wider selection of universities because we can also welcome students from those institutions onto our campus.  Our study abroad office is now part of the larger office of global engagement, so this goes hand in hand with helping to internationalize our campus in Riverdale in addition to encouraging more of our Jaspers to travel abroad,” Ryan wrote.

Further, Ryan encourages students to engage in programs and challenge themselves.

“Whatever works for a student’s academic program of study. If you can go for a whole semester, that may be the most culturally immersive experience. But go for any length of time, and you’ll get more in return than staying at home in your city, town, or neighborhood that you’ve been used to all your life. Choose the country to visit that you know the least about. Studying abroad shouldn’t be easy or comfortable like going on vacation; that’s not the point,” Ryan wrote.

Ryan continued by sharing personal experiences as well as advice. Ryan really took to the late Anthony Bourdain and his philosophy on traveling.

  “I can best summarize our mission of sending Jaspers abroad in the words of the late Anthony Bourdain: ‘Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind,’” Ryan wrote.

Quinn Nagle, sophomore engineering student, reflected on her past time with study abroad and is excited for the future and possibilities of travel destinations and an overall great experience.

“I have always loved traveling, and having the opportunity to do so while also getting college credit was perfect. Dr. [Mark] Pottinger was the best tour guide I could have asked for and led a wonderful class while helping us experience a new culture so different from our own. I am in the engineering school, so summer and winter study abroad options are the only ones I can participate in. I’m really glad I still had the opportunity to go abroad and hope there are more options in the future to do it again before I graduate,” Nagle said.

Stay up to date on what courses are being offered in the near future.  Send an email to studyabroad@manhattan.edu and request to be added to the mailing list. Follow study abroad on Instagram @studyabroadmc.