Culture, Connections, Adventure: Studying Away Offers it All

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Culture, Connections, Adventure: Studying Away Offers it All

If you told high school senior Kendall Gordon that she would spend a semester of college studying in Hawaii, she would never have believed it.

"I had not even considered study away as a factor when starting college," said Gordon.

But the idea began to take root when she arrived at Widener, and by the fall of her senior year, the communication studies major with an affinity for travel faced a choice - graduate early or study away. She chose the latter and never looked back.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true. Widener offered that experience, and it seemed like I couldn't pass it up," said Gordon.

Kendall Gordon '24 spent a semester studying away in Hawaii

But why Hawaii? "Why not Hawaii?" Gordon retorts.

It was paradise. Gordon studied at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and could see a volcano from her dorm room window. Having completed her required classes for her major, she was free to take electives on Hawaiian culture and the environment, and to explore the island and learn about its history.

Through her time in Hawaii, Gordon, a 2024 alumna, learned the importance of mindfulness and being present in the moment - skills she now implements in her life and work in her fast-paced role as a TV news producer for CoastTV, an NBC affiliate in Delaware.

Studying away was such a vital part of my college experience. It played a role in helping shape me." - Kendall Gordon '24

Kendall Gordon talks about the lessons learned from her time in Hawaii during her 2024 TEDx Widener talk

Studying away - whether domestically or internationally - is an option for all Widener students, regardless of their major. The university offers multiple options, from the traditional semester away, to short-term, faculty-led experiences during school breaks, which are often tied to a class.

And through a new partnership, it is now more affordable and accessible than ever for Widener students to pack their bags for the adventure of a lifetime.

Widener has recently joined the International Student Exchange Programs, or ISEP, a consortium of 300 institutions from around the world. ISEP applies a Widener student's tuition and room and board fees directly to program costs - even using existing scholarships and financial aid - making the cost of studying away not much different than it would be to stay on campus.

The only additional costs a student may face are logistical items such as airfare, obtaining a passport, and insurance.

"This opens the doors to give every student the ability to study away," said Maddie Becker, Widener study abroad advisor and program coordinator in International Student Services.

ISEP also offers opportunities for internships, service learning, and teaching practicum programs, allowing students to gain valuable hands-on experience.

And ISEP is an exchange model, meaning the international schools will send students to Widener, further enriching the Chester campus community.

Widener is also part of the study away consortium, National Student Exchange, which enables students to study in the United States, its territories, and Canada, and similarly applies a student's tuition to the cost of the program.

"Because the United States is so large, and an incredibly diverse nation, you can find that study away experience through a domestic program. You can dive into a new culture without having to go to a completely new country," said Jaylin Johnson, Widener director of Immigration Student Services. "It can also be a baby step for traveling."

For Gordon, studying in the United States - even if it was nearly 5,000 miles from home - was convenient and put her parents at greater ease, she said.

I totally recommend it to any student. Because Widener is a small campus, this is another opportunity to branch out." - Kendall Gordon '24

The benefits of studying away, either domestically or internationally, are numerous.

"Studying away helps you become a global citizen. It's more than just an academic experience. It helps you learn to adapt to new surroundings and build cross-cultural connections," said Becker.

Amaya Morris '26 is studying in Kyoto, Japan, and exploring the ancient temples and shrines

That's exactly what drew Amaya Morris '26 to study in Kyoto, Japan, for spring semester 2025. With a keen interest in Japanese culture, the anthropology major wanted to explore the island, its people, customs, and traditions firsthand.

"This allows me to experience Japanese culture directly, rather than just reading about it. I get to interact with Japanese locals and fellow students from diverse backgrounds, as well as observe how tradition and modernity coincide in Japanese society," said Morris, who has visited ancient temples and shrines, and participated in a tea ceremony, learning how to prepare and drink matcha.

Morris' career goal is to work in a museum and the study abroad experience has piqued an interest in possibly working overseas.

"Immersing myself in Japanese culture has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of perspectives different from my own," said Morris. "The experience I have had in Japan so far has inspired a passion for travel, learning, and a new embracement of challenges."

Jasmine Foote '25 (left) spent a semester in London

Jasmine Foote '25 is an aspiring ambassador, so becoming more independent and comfortable traveling to new places and meeting new people is a must. It was a driving force behind Foote's decision to spend spring semester 2024 studying in London.

Foote, an international relations and political science major, had just transferred into Widener the semester earlier, so it was a bit jarring to be leaving. But Foote "wanted to do something for myself, to learn myself better, and meet new people and experience new cultures."

Foote succeeded in that endeavor. When not taking classes at the University of Westminster, she was active in student clubs, like Amnesty International and a running club, and traveled frequently around the city, Great Britain and Ireland, and continental Europe.

"It was a new experience every day," said Foote.

Interested in Studying Away?

Schedule a meeting with Maddie Becker, study abroad advisor, to discuss your interests, programs, and more
mdbecker@widener.edu