Global Exploration
Muhlenberg encourages students to pursue the transformative experience of studying abroad, and more than half of graduates do. Study abroad builds critical thinking skills and adaptability, says Provost Laura Furge, as well as an understanding of the location’s language and culture: “This, in turn, builds empathy for others, the ability to ask questions and listen better and greater understanding of the self, as well.”
Dean of Global Education Marcia Morgan can attest to the intellectual, social and personal growth students experience: “I have seen firsthand how impactful study abroad can be not only for one student or group of students but for a whole class and the campus community at large,” she says. “Skills acquired or refined while studying abroad include facility with new languages or different dimensions of a previously studied language, refined interpretive and cultural understanding, sharpened development of practical and critical reasoning, awareness of location bias from multiple contrasting perspectives and physical and intellectual contextualization of previous knowledge and experience.”
Here, find a glimpse into global education at Muhlenberg.
Muhlenberg offers approximately 130 approved off-campus programs outside the U.S.
Some of the locations where individual students are studying now include Argentina, Australia, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. Italy is hosting the most students, followed by England, Ireland and Spain. Students may choose immersive programs, where all courses are taught in the native language, or programs with courses taught in English. Some programs allow students to stay with local hosts, while others place students in apartments or residence halls. Certain programs have internship or research experiences built in. Students who receive financial aid, as the majority of Muhlenberg students do, may apply it toward semester-long programs.
“I chose to study abroad in South Korea because I wanted to experience a culture that was very different from the one I was raised in. I wanted to be exposed to new experiences and a new way of living my life and gain a new understanding of the world I live in. Studying abroad in South Korea definitely changed me for the better. I am much more confident in being independent, and my problem-solving skills have skyrocketed. I am secure in my own identity, and I am appreciative of the layers that make up a person’s identity.”
Muhlenberg offers both semester-long and
short-term study abroad opportunities
(and some students take advantage of both)
Some of the locations where individual students are studying now include Argentina, Australia, Muhlenberg Integrative Learning Abroad (MILA) opportunities pair a semester-long course on campus with a travel experience related to the coursework at the semester’s end. Three MILAs are taking place this year, with travel to Costa Rica, Japan and South Africa. Because faculty travel with students, these short-term programs offer more support than many semester-long ones. MILAs are an important option for students who may not be able or willing to spend a full semester abroad (including student-athletes, students with jobs and students with less travel experience). Some need-based scholarships are available to support students interested in MILAs.
“I chose to participate in a short-term study abroad experience because I am graduating in three years and am unable to do a semester abroad. [The Culture, Conflict and Community Development in South Africa MILA in Fall 2022] exposed me to perspectives and life experiences that I would have never been exposed to otherwise. It was extremely valuable to go to South Africa knowing the context and history of the country, to get education about the country and then visit with a group with local connections. We were really immersed into the culture and got to hear a variety of perspectives from people with various identities living in South Africa. I definitely feel better prepared for my classes at Muhlenberg and beyond.”
Muhlenberg offers two faculty-led, semester-long programs abroad in Dublin and Maastricht, Netherlands
The programs are each affiliated with a popular area of study: Dublin is for media & communication students and Maastricht is for business students. These programs build in group cultural activities, and students travel and take some courses together, including one taught by a Muhlenberg faculty member. Dublin also offers for-credit internships for students. The advantage of these programs is the additional support and community for students who may be traveling abroad for the first time.
“Being with a faculty member [in Dublin] and having a Muhlenberg class while abroad made me a bit more comfortable about starting the abroad experience. Having the guidance, motivation and education from a Muhlenberg professor helped me get a better grasp on what it meant to be abroad and how to successfully navigate that experience. I learned a lot from people [in Ireland] and I think that is a big component of being abroad. It allowed me to experience something I had never gone through before, especially since I had never traveled much. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in a very good way.”