Belmont Global Honors Expands Study Abroad Opportunities

New locations in Greece and Spain broaden options for STEM  

Belmont University's Global Honors Program has expanded its study abroad options, adding new locations in Greece and Spain to accommodate the growing number of STEM majors in the program and to continue building on successful partnerships like the one with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. 

Currently, 122 second-year Global Honors students are studying abroad at nine different locations around the world, with that number expected to rise to approximately 180 next year. 

New Destinations Open Doors for STEM Students 

Among the new destinations are the American College of Greece in Athens and two programs in Seville, Spain: the ISA Seville Study Center and Universidad Pablo de Olavide. 

"One of our goals is to try to make study abroad as accessible as possible to every student, no matter what their academic program is," said Leigh Hitchcock, assistant director of Belmont Global Honors. "We have a lot of STEM majors in honors, particularly students who are pre-med, and so chemistry is something that is required for them." 

These new locations offer chemistry courses and other STEM subjects that fit into students' sophomore year curriculum requirements. 

"Greece also offers courses in mathematics and physics and biology and some things that are not available at some of our other locations," Hitchcock said. "Prior to this year, their option was to go to a location in England, which is great... but I think a lot of them really wanted what they would consider being immersed in a culture that is vastly different from America." 

The new locations have proven popular, with 22 students currently in Greece and 15 in Spain.  

Royal Welsh Partnership Benefits Performing Arts Students 

For music and theatre majors, the partnership with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, Wales, now in its third year, has been particularly valuable. 

"The primary thing that we can provide is the opportunity for them to continue their degree path without losing semesters or courses," said Dr. Jeremy Lane, director of the School of Music. "Their curriculum matches ours, so they can go over there and study and still graduate on time." 

Royal Welsh offers similar programs in commercial and classical music, creating what Lane described as a great fit for Belmont students. 

Unique Features of Global Honors Study Abroad 

The Global Honors study abroad experience differs from traditional programs in several key ways. 

"Normally, if a student does a semester abroad, they just go into the office of study abroad and they say, 'I've always wanted to study in Italy. How do I make it happen?' They get on a plane and they go, they don't travel with a group," Hitchcock explained. 

In contrast, Global Honors students travel in cohorts of approximately 20-25 students. 

"Our students get to travel with a group, which they tell us later that that group becomes very close because they have that shared experience, and they often find a lot of community and a lot of that sense of belonging with that group while they're away," she said. 

Another significant difference is the cost structure. "Our commitment to students is that the Global Honors semester abroad will never cost more than what it would cost to just be here on Belmont's campus for a traditional semester," Hitchcock said. "We think it's a pretty balanced slate of options that includes English speaking countries, non-English, large, small, big city, small cities, small town." 

Benefits Extend Beyond Academics 

The cultural immersion and collaborative opportunities provide benefits beyond academic credit. 

"The cultural benefits, of course, are immense, to just get out and see the world," Lane said. "Music is a collaborative art. Can't do music alone, so you have to learn how to collaborate. It's an essential skill set." 

He shared the example of a commercial violinist and fiddler who studied abroad last year. The student "got out and engaged the community where she was participating in a jam session at least one, if not two, at local pubs and coffee shops. And it forced this issue of collaboration with different types of musicians in different environments, completely separate from what we provide here on campus." 

Hitchcock emphasized the personal growth students experience. "It definitely challenges... a lot of students, but I think on the other side of it, they come out so much more confident, so much more independent," she said. "They learn a lot about themselves and what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are." 

“Studying abroad has been an eye-opening experience, as it has deepened my understanding of social work on a global scale,” said Skyler Duplessis, sophomore social work major, studying at ISA Seville Study Center. “Engaging with diverse cultures and perspectives has enriched my education, strengthened my passion for advocacy, and challenged me to grow in ways I never expected. I have made memories and connections that I will carry with me forever!” 

Students often take courses not offered at Belmont, such as oceanography in Greece, and gain new perspectives by being immersed in different cultures. 

"They often are surprised, I think, at how much people in other countries know about what's happening in America and how little we know about what's happening in other countries," Hitchcock noted. 

For those unable to commit to a full semester abroad, such as student athletes, Maymester or summer study abroad programs are available to fulfill the global component of the program. 

As the Royal Welsh partnership enters its third year, Lane envisions building upon past success, including a recent musical theatre project that took place in Wales last summer. 

"We are just now to the part where we can start collaborating on some bigger projects," Lane said. "It's been a huge blessing to us and our students to have a willing partner like that. They're just terrific people. They're really great to our students. They take really good care of them."