Study away at PLU

“It was an incredible experience that left my brain, heart, and hands full,” said Christiana Slater ‘20 of her study away trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. “My favorite expedition was to Mexico City, because I’d dreamed about visiting since I saw textbook pictures when I began studying Spanish in middle school.”

Study away participants can pick from semester or full-year programs in locations that range from Norway and China to Trinidad and Tobago, or shorter January Term and summer programs from a diverse rotating list of countries that include Italy, Namibia and New Zealand. For those looking to explore other parts of Washington or the United States, domestic options include Neah Bay, Washington, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Internships, research, language immersion and cultural exploration are foundational elements of study away experiences, and vary from program to program.

Almost 50 percent of the university’s graduating seniors each year have taken advantage of study away opportunities, reaping benefits such as leadership skills, adaptability, independence and self-reliance — all traits that employers recognize and covet.

Building on a study away experience is another step toward becoming a well-rounded citizen of the world, and many PLU students choose to continue their global education through Peace Corps Preps, the Fulbright Program, Peace Scholars and more.

“Studying away reiterated to me how vast yet connected our world is today,” Slater said. “My time abroad challenged me to understand and reflect on how Mexican, American, and Central American culture, conflicts, and politics are connected. It reminded me that I’m called to walk for others, seek justice and pursue it.”