Explore a few ETSU study abroad opportunities

Photo of the Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament, and Big Ben, taken by ETSU student Brandy Robbins-Horne.

The college years allow students to grow and spread their wings, becoming confident and independent. One super way to do that is to study abroad.

Students who take a semester-long or short-term course in another country can gain a better understanding of another culture, develop language skills and make new friends. Learning to navigate life outside the U.S., including exploring new places, finding grocery stores and using different currencies, gives students more confidence in themselves and their abilities.

East Tennessee State University offers numerous opportunities to study in locations around the world, with courses that benefit students in a wide variety of majors.

The following are just a few popular destinations ETSU students can choose from for semester-long or summer study, according to Courtney Lucas, interim director of ETSU Education Abroad:

·       The American College of Greece in Athens offers courses for most majors on its American-style campus with familiar facilities and amenities. Athens is a major city, and travel to other locations in Europe for weekends and breaks is easy.

·       The University of Limerick, Ireland, also features courses for most majors. Recently named the most beautiful campus in Ireland, the University of Limerick has won several awards and recognition for student experience and draws international students from around the world. Its summer program focuses on Irish studies, and students can propose their own projects for its summer STEM research program.

·       Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan, offers courses on Japanese language, culture, history and more, and is open to all levels of Japanese speakers (all courses except Japanese language are taught in English). Osaka is the third most populous city in Japan and is known for its modern architecture, food and nightlife. A train ride to visit Tokyo takes around two and a half hours.

·       Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, U.K., allows students to live and study in an English manor house built in the 1800s, which they are free to explore. Most students are from the U.S., and they build community as they are sorted into “houses” and compete with each other in a manner similar to the fictional Hogwarts of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” world. Meals are provided in the overall program cost. Travel around the U.K. is easy, with shuttles to the Grantham train station, from which London is one and a half hours by train.

In addition to these, two short-term, ETSU faculty-led study abroad programs include a trip to Rome, Italy, to study architectural history and an Appalachian studies trip to Scotland and Ireland.

In Rome, students explore Italian monuments, churches, museums and galleries while studying art and architecture. In Scotland and Ireland during selected summer sessions, students study at Scottish and Irish universities and engage in cultural events and field experiences.

To find out more about these and other study abroad opportunities at ETSU and to sign up to attend a required Study Abroad Interest Session, visit ETSU Education Abroad.

Coming soon: Learn about some of ETSU’s newest, unique and lesser-known study abroad opportunities, and hear from ETSU students who are studying abroad this summer!

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.