Each spring, Franklin College offers the opportunity for students to gain intercultural knowledge and appreciation through its interdisciplinary Intercultural Honors Experience. This academically challenging program promotes international engagement through the course work and the chance to earn study-abroad scholarships.
As Franklin College’s only honors program, the course centers on areas of original research based on intercultural issues. The course is led by two members of the faculty from different academic disciplines and welcomes students from any major to participate. Students must present their research papers at a public symposium in order to be eligible to apply for a study-abroad scholarship, which can be used any time before their final semester at Franklin College.
Director of the Office of Global Education Jenny Cataldi oversees the program and study-abroad opportunities. The program’s success is bound by her devotion to providing students with opportunities to discover the world.
“While the IHE program does not require a student to study away, the program does expose students to international topics while focusing on situations where diversity of thought is the norm. The IHE program strives to serve as a springboard to introduce students to the idea of overseas exploration” Cataldi said.
This year’s IHE course, “Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking,” is co-taught by Associate Professor of English and English Department Chair George Phillips, Ph.D., and Professor of Political Science and Department Chair Randal Smith, Ph.D.
“It’s a topic that feels timely right now, but it’s always an important issue – even the issue – somewhere in the world at any given moment. That means when we talk about different contexts and situations, we have a lot to consider and lots to learn,” said Phillips.
Some students participate in the IHE program because it opens doors for international travel and education. Others take the course to be academically challenged and to learn about diverse cultures. Whatever their reason, students gain insight into themselves while broadening their understanding of global issues.
“I always want all of my students, in IHE but in other classes, too, to know that they can make a meaningful and measurable impact on the things they care about. If you just care enough about something to try to make a change and stick to that, you’ll inspire other people, too. This is how newness enters the world: one step at a time,” Phillips said.
Participating students include:
Ava Adams, a freshman, is from Indianapolis.
Anna Brindle, a sophomore, is from Auburn.
Alyssa Harmon, a sophomore, is from Corydon.
Kirsten Hunt, a sophomore, is from Morgantown.
Eden Kuppler, a sophomore, is from Hanover.
Savanna Miley, a freshman, is from Franklin.
Delaney Mueller, a freshman, is from Corydon.
Sophia Saucerman, a freshman, is from Eminence.
Hannah Stanton, a sophomore, is from Mooresville.
Zachary Schroeder, a sophomore, is from Evansville.
Sophia Spomar, a junior, is from Greenwood.
Hayley Trowbridge, a sophomore, is from Franklin.
Juliana Ventura, a sophomore, is from Lebanon.
Rebekah Walsh, a freshman, is from Peru.
For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.
By: Katie Thoman ’26
Franklin College Pulliam Fellow