Global Honors Students Embrace International Education in Record Numbers

The Belmont Global Honors program has ushered 151 second-year students into an immersive Honors Semester Abroad. This year marks a record number, with students spreading across eight countries and nine partner institutions, including Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, Harlaxton College in England and the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, among others.

Honors Semester Abroad allows students to take a deep dive into diverse cultures and academic experiences early in their undergraduate journey. The spring semester sees these students forming tight-knit communities within their respective cohorts, embarking on an intentional journey that promises academic enrichment, personal growth and a broader understanding of the global stage.

Intentional Travel

"Belmont’s Global Honors students travel together in a purposeful way," said Dr. Bonnie Smith Whitehouse, executive director of Belmont Global Honors and professor of English. "We want our students to forge deeper connections with one another as they explore and learn around the world. Furthermore, our Global Honors curriculum is designed so that when our students return to Belmont from abroad, they are all the more prepared to innovate together through our unique sequence of Honors Scholars’ Collaborative projects.”

The curriculum’s intentional design is highlighted by students' diverse experiences, from orientation activities to classroom engagement. In Perugia, Italy, students immersed themselves in intensive Italian classes, followed by practical language applications in the city, all while bonding over pizza parties and city tours. 

Dr. Jim McIntyre, dean of the College of Education and assistant provost of academic excellence, emphasizes the program's broader objectives: "One of the roles of Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education (ISGE) is to enable students to embrace a global mindset through meaningful interdisciplinary and international experiences. The Honors Semester Abroad is an exceptional international experience tied to academic excellence, career readiness and our students’ discovery of their place in the world."

Makenna in Belfast

Students offer a glimpse into the transformative impact of studying abroad. Makenna Kunz, a music business major with an emphasis in legal studies, is studying in Belfast. "My primary goal is to immerse myself in the rich culture and history of Belfast and the broader United Kingdom,” she said. “As someone with a deep love for traveling and exploring new places, I am excited to venture into the unique landscapes and absorb the diverse experiences this region has to offer." 

Kunz's journey highlights the academic and cultural immersion that is central to the Global Honors experience. “Studying abroad with Belmont is a key part of my Honors experience. Belmont's mission is anchored in the empowerment of individuals from diverse backgrounds, encouraging students to actively engage in transforming the world for the better. Embracing the benefits of studying abroad is an integral part of the Honors Semester Abroad mission, as it broadens perspectives, fosters cultural understanding and equips students with the skills needed to navigate an interconnected global society.”

Her top three highlights so far include: “a weekend trip to London to see the National Gallery and other sights, visiting Belfast's city center, and taking classes alongside students from around the world.”

Lauren & Wyatt in Italy

Lauren Haney, a journalism major and fashion design minor, said she has been “looking forward to this semester since I came to Belmont.” She finds the exposure to new cultures and perspectives invaluable and describes it as a key part of a well-rounded learning experience. "A worldview is so influential and important," Haney said. “Just being here, I have learned so much about another culture, another history and another way of life. A highlight so far is rooted in the location: “Perugia is a smaller city (compared to Rome, Florence or even Nashville), and that has given me a unique opportunity to get involved with local initiatives and people here – something I have cherished immensely,” she said. “I have certainly indulged in my fair share of pizza, pasta and gelato. As I mentioned before, I have had the opportunity to create relationships with the owners of the café I frequent, as well as other shops and restaurants near me.”

Wyatt Jones, also studying in Perugia, is a data science major with a minor in Italian. His goal? Linguistic and cultural fluency. “I hope that I can become more confident in my Italian while studying abroad in Perugia,” he said. “One day I'd love to be able to slip into conversational Italian without hesitation, and there's no better place to practice than here in Italy! The Global Honors Semester abroad, especially in Italy where the primary language isn't English, forces me into an interdisciplinary mindset about my studies. Because the Italian language and culture impacts almost all of what I'm doing while abroad, I must be an active participant in everything I do, or else risk falling behind due to a linguistic or cultural misunderstanding. I have to remove myself from my American comfort zone and approach everything from greetings to knowing when it's okay to drink milk (NEVER after lunch) with a renewed curiosity.”

As these Global Honors students navigate their semesters abroad, they not only build upon their academic foundations but also forge lasting friendships and connections across the globe. This record-setting cohort of students abroad symbolizes a step forward in Belmont Global Honors’ mission to foster global engagement and intellectual curiosity among its students.

Study Locations

Current study locations for students include:

• Queen’s University Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Harlaxton College in Grantham, England
• Institute for American Universities (IAU) locations:
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Aix-en-Provence, France
• Arcadia Abroad locations at:
  • Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, Wales
  • The Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy
  • University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand
  • University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland
  • Arcadia in London in London, England

A Look at Global Honors