Students at Franklin College have the opportunity to study away beginning as early as their freshman year. This experience is a key component of a liberal arts education. Not only does it allow students to learn about other cultures and countries of the world, it also helps them develop problem-solving  and cross-cultural communication skills. In a truly world economy, this experience can be invaluable upon graduation.

Franklin College offers many ways for students to broaden their horizons, including a semester or year away, a Winter Term Travel Course or a summer away. Options range from two weeks to a full year. Students can take courses for their major, earn credits for electives, complete an internship or service-learning experience.

Explore the different options through the Study Away Program Options link or contact the Office of International and Off-Campus Study (Old Main room 148) for more information.

“I love to travel and have studied abroad in Guadalajara, Barcelona, and Madrid. My time abroad has been the highlight of my undergraduate degree, and I hope that my study-abroad trips will be a diving board off which I will be able to jump into a life full of travel. I enjoy studying abroad because I enjoy seeing other ways of life and having my own ideas challenged. I enjoy being put out of my comfort zone because I think that that is the time that you truly learn, change opinions, and learn about yourself and your values. For example, in Guadalajara my life changed radically. I grew out of a quiet, close-minded approach to life and learned how to be more independent. Additionally, when I spoke Spanish in Spain on a daily basis I learned more in a few months than I did in years of study.”

Joe Hall ‘12
Spain, summer 2011
 

“I find myself thinking of the kids I worked with at the orphanage everyday…The world can seem very broken and corrupt at times, but then you travel and you meet people and you see the world in a new light. I saw how people around the world are living their lives in service to others and are taking care of their people.”

Natalie Unger ‘12
Ecuador, summer 2011
 

“Study abroad is wonderful because the experience of living and studying in a different country does change the way you view the world. I even think it changed the way I view my own country. I’m not only a United States citizen. I’m a global citizen.”

Kelsey Roberts ‘12
Mexico, spring 2011
 

“I wouldn't take back my experience abroad for anything in the world. I learned an overwhelming amount about people, but most importantly, I learned about myself, and I learned to believe in myself. To this day, I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped make my study abroad experience possible. From donors and assistants to professors and parents, they all helped make my dream come true.”

Destiny Esper ‘12
Ghana, spring 2011

“I was pushed and I felt stretched at times, but it was a good feeling. It made me grow as a person and has helped me to find the reserves of strength that I know will help me…in graduate school.”

Julie Evans ‘10
Belize, summer 2009