Western Students Take Learning Abroad
Since May, more than 300 Western students have spent part of their summer immersed in new cultures, broadening their perspectives and building global connections through academically focused travel.
As part of 12 faculty-led programs across 12 countries, students explored diverse topics—from engineering in Germany and archaeology in St. Kitts & Nevis to health care in Scandinavia. Each program offered hands-on, community-engaged learning experiences that enriched their academic studies and deepened their understanding of global issues.
Western offers a variety of faculty-led study abroad opportunities across most faculties. These programs combine classroom learning with immersive international experiences. Study abroad trips range from one or two weeks to a full month or term, often following classroom preparation before departure.
See below for a selection of program summaries from organizers, as well as photos and reflections from participants.
Study Tour to Italy: Roman History, Archaeology and Culture
Western’s Study Tour to Rome is a 14-day guided trip to Rome and the Bay of Naples. Over the course of the tour, students visited Pompeii, Herculaneum and other sites on the Bay of Naples, before travelling to Rome to visit the city’s most famous archaeological sites and museums, see some of its famous churches, study the artworks they contain, and experience the vibrant life of one of the world’s great cities.
“In the words of Emperor Augustus, I was learning about Rome as a city of bricks while walking through Rome as a city of marble. I am eternally grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn in a global context, connect with like-minded peers, and grow my personal perspective, all accompanied by good laughs, great sights, and delicious gelato!”
–Karen Huo, program participant and fourth-year student in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
FSL Teacher Candidate AFE Trip
The Faculty of Education’s two-week Alternative Field Experience (AFE) in Orléans, France offers Teacher Candidates in the French as a Second Language (FSL) Specialization the opportunity to strengthen their French-language skills and cultural understanding while experiencing daily life as locals. Through homestays, university courses and cultural excursions, candidates build confidence, broaden their perspectives and gain experiences they can bring to their future classrooms.
“To travel is to learn. My time in Orléans allowed me to fully immerse myself in the French language and culture, step outside my comfort zone, and appreciate how language, food, traditions, and everyday life are all connected. The lessons I learned in Orléans will stay with me forever and continue to shape the way I teach, learn, and experience the world.”
–Faye Guadalupe, trip participant and Intermediate/Senior Teacher Candidate at the Faculty of Education
DAN Management Study Trip to Vienna – MOS 3370
This two-week faculty-led study trip to Vienna, Austria gives students the opportunity to experience the city’s culture and history while earning a MOS credit in a condensed format. Students also collaborate with peers from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and take part in group activities and events throughout the program.
“The Vienna study abroad program was a wonderful addition to my undergraduate experience. It was the perfect mix of hands-on learning, travel, and community building. If you have the opportunity to participate, I would highly recommend it. I am extremely grateful for the connections I made with both faculty and my peers!”
–Nicole Buhagiar, program participant and fourth-year student in the Faculty of Social Science – DAN Management
Destination Theatre – Theatre Studies 3900G
Destination Theatre took 21 undergraduate students from across Western to London, UK for a two-week immersive theatre experience. Students attended nine performances, participated in workshops with theatre makers, explored museums and iconic neighbourhoods, and experienced a diverse range of theatre, from Shakespeare and West End favourites to contemporary works focused on social justice.
“Destination Theatre gave me not only the chance to be a young person abroad with ample opportunities to explore my own interests at whatever pace I desired, but also the privilege of engaging with the arts from a front-row seat. Every show, every workshop, every class discussion, and every essay forced us to deeply consider how theatre changes and is changed by the world around it, and what that means for us as the future of the field.”
–Victoria Robinson, program participant and fourth-year student in the Faculty of Music
Rondine Cittadella della Pace, Tuscany
Each year, 80 to 90 students from Western and its affiliated colleges travel to Rondine and Arezzo, Italy for an immersive experiential learning program combining Italian language and culture with intercultural learning. Through local experiences and engagement with Rondine Cittadella della Pace, students explore dialogue, peacebuilding and conflict transformation alongside an international community.
“My experience in the study abroad program as a first-year student was truly incredible and transformational. I learned what it means to engage with complex social issues through a culture of peace and tolerance. I had the opportunity to travel across Italy to explore the rich history, architecture and food that Italy has to offer, to learn a new language, and most importantly, form friendships with other students. I am tremendously grateful for this opportunity to experience a new culture, expand my perspective, form new friendships and find a new way of engaging with the world.”
–Nathaniaal Silvester, program participant and first-year student in the Faculty of Science
Engineering in a Global Context: Advanced Manufacturing – Germany
This two-week faculty-led experience at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany gives engineering students hands-on exposure to modern manufacturing, including robotic automation, composite machining, circular-economy design, simulation and AI-enhanced production. Factory and research facility tours bring these concepts to life, while cultural experiences in Heidelberg, the Black Forest, Karlsruhe and Strasbourg help students build intercultural skills and a global perspective.
“I appreciated the daily structure of learning theory, seeing practical demonstrations of the theory (via labs and factory tours) and then during free time exploring the German/European culture, all with people who are also passionate about the same things as you. This combination made the learning feel effortless, practical, effective, and fun.”
–Michael DiNoto, program participant and third-year student in the Faculty of Engineering
