Education Abroad: different name, same excellent study abroad opportunities

The International Programs office dedicated to study abroad programs is changing its name to Education Abroad to better reflect its support to students.

The old name, "Global Learning" will be retired as of May 5, 2025, in favor of Education Abroad to make it easier for students, faculty, staff, and parents to recognize the unit at WSU that supports learning abroad. Education Abroad's new title better communicates its core mission to help students learn and expand their boundaries by sending them to locations around the world. The name change will also help to avoid any confusion with programs within WSU's Global Campus, Education Abroad Director Kelly Newlon said.

"Both Global Campus and Global Learning do great work to support and enhance the WSU experience, but we don't do it the same way. To make it even worse, Kelly Newell, associate vice chancellor for the Global Campus, and I were constantly forwarding emails to each other," Kelly Newlon said jokingly.

A name change doesn't mean a reduction in service or scope. Newlon works with academic units across the WSU system to assist with all study abroad programs.

"Education Abroad is often a microcosm of the university," Newlon said.

The unit interacts with all facets of the university to support the unique nature of compliance, risk management, student billing, international payments, financial aid, and course scheduling for students studying abroad.

The program has provided many students with a chance to see the world. Rebekah Bestebreur (24' Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles), originally of Prosser, said her study abroad in Florence, Italy, was very impactful.

"Growing up in a small town in Eastern Washington, I had only vaguely heard of studying abroad and never imagined it could be an opportunity for me-until I started school at WSU," she said. "To put it simply, those 16 weeks spent in Florence completely transformed my perspective and opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. I learned to appreciate the small moments, build connections with the local community, and, most importantly, gain a newfound confidence in myself."

Bestebreur, who now works in Seattle as executive team leader for specialty sales at Target, said she has adopted the Italian outlook of cherishing long mealtimes with loved ones. Her time in Italy included taking classes on buying fashion and gaining professional experience at an Italian vintage shop.

"Looking back, my time abroad was one of the most transformative experiences of my life," she said. "I'm incredibly grateful for such an amazing study abroad experience that continues to shape my perspective today."

The office's general email has changed and can be reached at ip.edabroad@wsu.edu