Connecting with Unique Opportunities for Growth through Emmanuel Study Abroad

The intersection of classroom theory and real-world application is central to education at Emmanuel College, and those principals are applied at an international scale through the Study Abroad program.

“It was such a transformative experience,” said Mariana Kordorsky ’23, a Political Science alum who discovered a love of research and public policy during a pair of summer courses in Crete. “It really connected the dots between many of the things I was studying.”

Travel has been a unique learning opportunity for Alejandro Barney ’26, a Business Major in the midst of a semester at the Universidad Nebrija in Madrid, Spain. The challenge of coming into a completely new situation required Barney to learn fast and sharpen his networking skills, but he views it as a long term-investment that is already paying off. 

“Business is about meeting people and understanding the environment you are working in,” said Barney. “This experience has taken me out of my comfort zone; I know when I come back I will be a different person.”

Growth- both personal and professional- is a key goal for the Emmanuel Study Abroad program, and it’s done through the lens of encouraging travel that promotes greater cultural understanding and exchange.

The focal point for this effort is the Office of International Programs at Room 152 in the Eisner Administration Building. It’s a place where students can learn about the possibilities and connect with the resources to make it happen. 

Raising awareness about the benefits of travel and upcoming trips is a big part of what the office does. The staff regularly hosts information sessions about upcoming trips, and the office is open for students to learn more and receive guidance. Those discussions typically start by asking students what they hope to get out of the experience and outlining the possibilities. Generally speaking, the options fall into two main categories:    

Travel Courses feature a group trip that lasts anywhere from 10 days to a month and are guided by Emmanuel faculty. These are often a great fit for students with time constraints or who are new to travel. 

Summer, Semester, or Yearlong Study Abroad offers hundreds of options through approved providers, on campuses ranging from Fiji to Rome. It’s an immersive experience, with the Study Abroad team providing orientation for the travelers and staying in touch with them throughout the journey. Major-specific exchange programs are also available in Germany and Sweden.   

There’s a lot of moving parts, but the focus is on helping students connect with the right experience, which fits their needs and interests. It’s a mission-driven approach, founded on the idea that lessons of travel can encourage justice, peace, and service. The philosophy is that all students can and should benefit from that experience, and the staff specializes in helping to mitigate the many barriers that often cause students to shy away from travel.   

Guidance is often an piece of the puzzle: Study Abroad staff maintains resources that outline what to expect and give recommendations for each step of the process—from choosing the right trip to putting that experience on the resume afterward. They can also highlight financial assistance options, provide health and safety guidance, and ensure participants know who to contact if there’s a problem. 

Alejandro Barney connected with Study Abroad staff through an event, and he appreciates how they helped him develop a timetable for the preparations. They were also there for him when he had questions.  

“Emmanuel´s staff was always open to clarifying and assisting me with anything I would need,” said Barney. “It was a lot of independent work that had to be done…but I had the support around me that enabled me to get everything done and prepare myself for this chapter.”

Recent data indicates that positive outcomes through the program are the norm: On a 2024 exit survey of Emmanuel graduates, 78% of students who studied abroad said it “contributed greatly” to their overall learning and professional development. That same cohort listed it as one of their most impactful experiences at Emmanuel, behind only internships and research.

Here are the experiences of two Saints that took plunge and tried Study Abroad: 

Connecting with a Wider World 

World travel has always been a goal for Kiara Rodrigues ’27, and she’s making the most of it through a semester in Spain.   

A Finance Major with a Minor in Economics, Rodrigues is spending four days per week in class at an international campus in Barcelona. The studies are engaging yet rigorous, with a focus on teamwork and presentation.  

Outside of class, Rodrigues is soaking up as much culture as possible. From the Spanish restaurant culture- which encourages guests to relax and socialize- to weekend excursions in France, Ireland, and the Alps, Rodrigues is making a point of learning as she travels. 

“I’m really trying to utilize this time to see as much of the world as I can, because I think that is how we grow as individuals,” said Rodrigues. “Meeting people from different cultures can really help you grow as a person.” 

The first step in that journey was Rodrigues connecting with the Study Abroad team through an event. She followed up with the program director and they put everything in motion to make her longtime dream of world travel a reality.   

“I discovered this program through a Study Abroad fair on campus and I loved it,” said Rodrigues. “I think Emmanuel provides a lot of resources to help us learn about what is available.”

Giving Travel a Try 

Mariana Kordorsky wasn’t sure that Study Abroad was right for her. But she built a strong rapport with her faculty advisor, Dr Petros Vamvakas, when he helped her secure an internship at the United Nations. So she eventually followed up on his suggestions to look into it.   

“I was extremely apprehensive about doing it, but I am so happy that I did,” she said.   

Kordorsky signed on for a summer course in Crete, which features a mix of historic sites and cultural exchange. Research and public policy were key components, and Kordorsky discovered a keen interest in both; she improved her public policy paper writing skills and is now considering that major for graduate school. 

The first round of research focused on formation of political parties during the European Union era, with a focus on populist movements. Kordorsky and several of her peers presented those finding at the National Association of Political Science in Boston afterward, which was very memorable. She ended up returning for a second summer to continue that work. It’s a collaboration she’s involved with to this day. 

“It really sparked my interest in research,” she said. “That second year I felt more confident in my ability to analyze and synthesize the information.” 

While once nervous about traveling, Kordorsky now has the “travel bug.” She’s planning another trip with a friend who toured Crete with her twice. She credited the encouragement and support from Dr. Vamvakas and the Study Abroad team for getting that ball rolling.  

‘I think Dr. Vamvakas does an incredible job of balancing fun activities with heavier political excursions,” she said. “Being able to travel with that group made me more interested in visiting other places and more comfortable traveling on my own.”

For more information about Study Abroad, email studyabroad [at] emmanuel.edu or stop by the office in the Eisner Administration Building at Room 152.