Broadening Horizons, One Country at a Time

Posted on September 6, 2022

Fullerton College Study Abroad is returning in Spring 2023 after a nearly three-year hiatus.

Immersing yourself in a different culture, exploring another country, creating new experiences, and learning abroad. Does that sound like your ideal summer or spring? Take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad at Fullerton College.

Fullerton College has been commended for its study abroad programs and ranked third in the Open Doors International Educational Exchange 2019 Report as a leading institution for faculty-led study abroad programs. FC Study Abroad will return with Seville, Dublin and Rome programs.

FC Study Abroad will kick off with Seville, Spain in Spring 2023. Fullerton College faculty member Leonor Cadena, professor of anthropology, and Kathy Standen, professor of business, will lead the trip to Seville, Spain. The program offers eight courses, four in anthropology and four in business. Students will select 12 units to participate in, and those interested in studying abroad should add these courses to their student education plan. The deadline to apply is Oct. 17.

Benefits of Study Abroad

Interested students are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about the programs and benefits of adding study abroad to a resume.A general information session covering all upcoming study abroad programs will be held on Friday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. via Zoom. More information sessions for specific programs will be held in October.

Cadena is excited to take students to Spain.

“Seville has a mixture of many multicultural aspects, the Phoenicians, Celts, Romans, Moors & Jewish all left their legacies,” said Cadena. “For example, I’ll be teaching Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion, where students will be learning about the Spanish inquisition standing at the location where witch trials took place and visiting the museum of the inquisition (Castillo de San Jorge).” Her classes will also cover Neanderthals by visiting one of the last places they lived: Gibraltar. Students will also visit the third largest cathedral in Europe, the cathedral of Seville, which contains the burial place of Christopher Columbus along with the four kingdoms that unified Spain in 1401.

Standen will teach international business and students will look at local culture and businesses as part of their studies.“We will be visiting business owners and retail stores and asking questions about the business,” she said. “Trying to understand the difference between doing business internationally and domestically.”

In addition to studying abroad, students in the Seville program will have the opportunity to participate in field trips to Portugal and Morocco.

Markela Yang participated in the London 2019 study abroad program at Fullerton College. She had fond memories of her experience, and her favorite part was being able to apply what she was learning in the textbooks and classes to the real world.“I was taking a history class abroad in London, England, and one of our activities was to attend the Winston Churchill War Room Tours with our peers and professors,” Yang said. “Learning about World War II, and then physically being in the war rooms, it felt like being a part of history.”

Within Reach

Financial support is available for students through financial aid and scholarships. Students may meet with a study abroad financial aid advisor to learn more.

Support includes scholarships and grants. The Gilman scholarship usually funds approximately half of the student’s program costs. FC Study Abroad was recognized in late 2019 by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as a top producer of Benjamin Gilman Scholars. Students who receive the Pell Grant are eligible to apply for this award.

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) provides scholarships and ongoing support to underrepresented students in the U.S. study abroad population. FEA awards up to $5.000 for the Spring 2023 semester abroad. Students can apply for these scholarships at Fund for Education Abroad. FEA applications are due September 15 at 9 a.m.

When asked whether she would recommend study abroad to Fullerton College students, Yang replied–absolutely.“My advice for students interested in studying abroad is to talk to your counselor, financial aid advisor, and make those connections,” said Yang. “Learn what is required to study abroad, as well as how to plan ahead for a study abroad trip that best suits your needs and desires.