Features

Jaspers Return from Summer Study Abroad with Rave Reviews


SPAN 315 students studied in Madrid this summer, visiting sites such as the Almudena Cathedral. TY JACKSON / COURTESY

Barbara Vasquez, Production Editor / Web Editor

As summer break comes to a close, many students are arriving on campus after a three-month long break from academics. Some students, however, continued their education during summer overseas with Manhattan University’s study abroad program.

At MU, a variety of courses come with the opportunity to take them while abroad, including language, religion and engineering classes. Matthew Schule, a senior communication major with minors in both philosophy and art history, ventured to Italy this past summer to gain credit for RELS 216: Saints and Catholic Imagination, taught by Br. Robert Berger.

Matthew Schule received the Study Abroad Major John H. Mark, Jr Memorial Scholarship, along with Daniela Ramirez and 4 other students. @STUDYABROADMC / INSTAGRAM

“As a philosophy and art history minor, the Renaissance and Italy have been huge in terms of things I’ve learned about, especially in terms of western history,” Schule said. “It was absolutely insane to be able to go there and actually see some of my favorite artworks that I’ve studied for the last four years here at Manhattan. To finally see them in person was just a really incredible experience.”

Schule was able to go abroad with the help of the Major John H. Mark Jr. ‘00 Scholarship, which provides study abroad tuition assistance to a select number of applicants. After checking his email and seeing the scholarship was being offered, Schule applied.

“I was just so honored and it meant so much to me,” Schule said. “It made me appreciate the whole experience a lot more.”

Daniela Ramirez, a senior psychology major with minors in criminology and general business, also received the Major John H. Mark Jr. ‘00 scholarship, along with the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, granted by the U.S. Department of State. 

Ramirez traveled to Amsterdam to earn credit for SOC 315: Comparative Criminology: U.S. and The Netherlands. Upon her arrival, she was able to visit the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University and even the International Criminal Court [ICC], a major intergovernmental organization. 

Students taking SOC 315 in Amsterdam were given the opportunity to visit the International Criminal Court, or the ICC. DANIELA RAMIREZ / COURTESY

While Ramirez was already interested in the subject matter, she was also appreciative of the professor teaching the course, Madeleine Novich, Ph.D. Ultimately, Ramirez felt motivated to take the opportunity after receiving support from her mother.

“The thing that inspired me most was that back at home, my mom would always tell my siblings and I that she wants us to go away,” Ramirez said. “She knows none of her kids like to be sitting down. She always tells us to travel, to explore and to learn new languages.”

Ramirez shared with The Quadrangle that even when she was unsure of taking the leap and putting down a deposit for the trip, she had a strong support system that gave her the confidence to do so.

“Even though I told them [friends and family] that ‘I still don’t know if I can go or not’, they told me to secure my spot, because you never know,” Ramirez said. “So, I secured it. And I think it was the best decision I have ever made.”

Other students held similar motivations for going abroad. Ty Jackson, a junior communication major with a minor in film, traveled to Madrid this summer to gain credit for SPAN 340: Spanish Civilization. Jackson’s main reasoning for studying abroad was similar to that of Ramirez, in the familial sense.

“One, I feel like there are very few opportunities where you can visit the world like this,” Jackson said. “This was the first time I’ve ever been to Europe, which alone made it really special. But also, my dad is a fluent Spanish speaker, and having that connection with him really helped.”

Jackson noted that his experience was great overall, but was elevated by sharing his time with fellow Jaspers.

Jackson and other SPAN 340 students gather for a photo. TY JACKSON / COURTESY

“I think the highlight of the trip, honestly, was sharing the experience with all the other people, most having never been to Spain,” Jackson said. “Sharing that exposure with everyone was really special.”

Schule shared a similar sentiment to Jackson with regards to his trip.


“Honestly one of my favorite parts of being abroad was being abroad with so many people from Manhattan [University], and getting to meet so many other students,” Schule said. “I met so many great people and I absolutely loved Brother Rob. He was an absolutely amazing guide to have for Florence and Rome.”

After experiencing their summer abroad, all three students felt that if the timing and opportunities were right, they would definitely do it again. In addition, they all recommend the same for others who may be interested in looking into the study abroad experience.

“If you have the chance to go abroad while you’re at Manhattan, I would highly, highly recommend doing it,” Schule said. “Honestly, the sooner you can do it, the better, just because it really changes a lot about how you see the world and how you understand your education. It could definitely show you a lot in terms of the kind of direction you want to take your life in, career wise, as well as what kinds of experiences you want to be having.”