Over the course of 2023, 200 Honors students along with Honors faculty and staff embarked on once-in-a-lifetime experiences abroad. Eleven unique Honors study abroad programs provided students with opportunities to gain experiential enrichment and cultural perspective. During their time around the world, participants also the had chance to visit monuments, survey art, try local cuisine, and explore interesting locations while taking in breathtaking scenery. We are excited to welcome our world-travelers home and gear up for another amazing year abroad!
Dominican Republic: Culture, Identity, and Migration
JGHC students partnered with The Kerolle Initiative for Community Health based in Sosúa, Dominican Republic to support the local community through health initiatives, gardening projects, and educational programs. This year, Honors students visited Grupo Clara, an organization which provides medical support and education for those with HIV and AIDS. Honors students donated items such as COVID-19 tests, condoms, and other personal hygiene supplies.
Dominican Republic Beyond the Classroom: Health and Culture
During their ten days of service in the countryside of the Dominican Republic, Honors students aided the Kerolle initiative in its community health projects to address food insecurity and a lack of medical resources. Students got their hands dirty planting sustainable gardens and connected with members of the community while helping to provide essential health care. This experience bridged cultural barriers by creating opportunities for students to learn about Dominican culture and practice their Spanish.
Semester in Exeter
Throughout their time abroad, USF in Exeter
students got to live the life of an English student. While studying at the University
of Exeter, students were able to meet international students, travel, and engage with
a rich and unique community.
“My favorite part would be all the international friends I’ve made. I’ve got friends from France, Germany, Canada, a bunch of different places that I would not have had the opportunity to meet...” - Ethan Skidmore
Germany Beyond the Classroom
Before embarking on their travels through Germany, Honors students participated in a Germany Beyond the Classroom course where they learned about German language, culture, and history. Each student in the course was partnered with an international FaceTime buddy at the University of Osnabrück. This allowed USF students to connect with a peer who had first-hand knowledge of the culture and history of the area. USF students joined their German counterparts for outings around the city, while also enjoying excursions to Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen.
“Traveling to Germany through Honors was a phenomenal experience... I recommend that any student traveling abroad connect their hobbies with unique opportunities to engage in a global culture in a way that suits them best!” - Kobe Phillips
Ghana Beyond the Classroom
Honors students traveled to Ghana after partnering with students from Cape Coast University to research how to create impactful solutions to issues faced in the community. The students implemented various service projects at the Countryside Children’s Home such as building a basketball and volleyball court, donating clothing and art supplies, and restocking necessary medical resources. In between working hard on service projects, students were able to explore Ghana's breath-taking landscapes and historical sights.
“I hope that if you chose this trip in the future, you find it as fulfilling, educational, and welcoming as I have.” - Suhas Das
South Korea Beyond the Classroom
This study abroad experience began with an enriching course that taught students about the diverse culture of South Korea through experiential learning activities such as book clubs, class dinners, taekwondo lessons, and learning a K-pop routine. All these activities prepared students for their stay in South Korea. While in Seoul, students were able to engage enthusiastically with a culture that they had already learned so much about while exploring historical sites, local landmarks, and eating authentic Korean cuisine.
“The most memorable moments were our late-night adventures! These included karaoke nights, convenience store runs for onigiri cravings, 2 a.m. runs to the 24-hr ramen store, impromptu decisions to go to Sulbing Cafe for bingsu, or group hangout sessions in someone’s hotel room.” - Maryam Latif
Florence Physician Observation
Students were hosted in the picturesque city of Florence where they experienced its deep history and culture! Students participated in a physician observation course allowing them to learn more about health care from a truly global perspective. Clinical observations were the heart of the program. While most observations were surgeries (including scalpel, robot, and laser), some observations were offered in out-patient clinics. Students gained experience learning about the ethics-centered Italian health care system while getting to explore Florence and other Italian cities.
Germany Innovation in Engineering
Honors engineering students got the unique opportunity to explore the intersectionality of engineering, sustainability, and society. Hands-on courses allowed students to engage with industry professionals and cutting-edge research. The program was based out of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Northern Germany, where the students stayed for six weeks. The trip also featured planned excursions to Berlin, Bonn, Duisburg, Wolfsburg, and the North Sea.
Germany and Poland: USF Confronting the Holocaust
Honors students stayed in central locations in Germany, Poland, and Czechia. Students’ coursework and tours contemplated the horrors of the Holocaust. The material set out to provide geographical and cultural context to deepen students understanding of one of the darkest times in history. Students visited the spot where the Final Solution was conceived, toured Treblinka and Auschwitz, and experienced a wide variety of museums and memorials in Warsaw, Krakow, and Berlin that helped them both remember and reflect on the past.
"It was the most impactful experience I've had in my academic career... completely changed my perspectives on violence, conflict and humanity." - Taylor Herman
USF in London
109 students attended the USF in London program, where they spent a month immersed in the city’s rich culture and history, while studying unique course topics such as: Empire, Blood, and Belonging: Anglo-American Citizenship in the Age of Migration, Psychology of Aging, and Jane Austen in London. The program provided glimpses of English culture in each course by embedding tours of relevant sights such as Scotland Yard and the House of Parliament.
"I highly recommend being a part of the USF London for an hands-on experience! Our Honors professor promoted interacting with nature, museums, and a variety of fun activities such as attending a Shakespeare play in The Globe Theatre." - Mridula Singh
Bahamas Exploring Tropical Environments by Land and Sea
USF Judy Genshaft Honors College students visited the remote Forfar Field Station on Andros Island in the Bahamas. Led by professor Dr. Teresa Greely, students soaked up invaluable knowledge about the wonders of the ocean, the vibrant Bahamian culture, and the significance of sustainable practices. Students participated in activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, visiting natural waterfalls, and researching local ecosystems.
The Next Big Adventure
The past year offered many enriching and perspective broadening experiences for Honors
students, faculty and staff and the opportunities will only continue to grow. Through
the end of the year and into 2024, the Judy Genshaft Honors College will offer 12
Honors-designed study abroad trips, including the return of the popular Japan Beyond
the Classroom Exploring Japanese Medical Humanities course.
To learn more about study abroad students can drop in for a trip info session, or
visit the Honors upcoming study abroad trip webpage.