PNW students broaden their horizons with Study Away programs
The college experience at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) reaches far beyond textbooks and classrooms. In an increasingly globalized world, PNW’s Study Away programs offer students the chance to expand their horizons through immersive learning experiences.
Whether traveling abroad or exploring new regions within the United States, PNW’s Study Away provides participants with opportunities for cultural immersion, personal growth, academic enrichment and career development. These programs also help students gain a broader global perspective and an inside look at their field of study.
Read Study Away Stories
- Leo Winders, MSW, Costa Rica Sustainability and the Environment
- John Hennessy, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Italy Study Abroad: Agriturismo
- Kayla Seymour, Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Management, Arizona Native American Reservation Trip
I’ve always loved the idea of travel. When I heard about the Honors College trip to Costa Rica, I saw it as an opportunity to experience a different country and connect with my Honors family.
Leo Winders, ’27, Social Work
Participation in Study Away programs fosters independence and confidence, allowing students to adapt and navigate diverse and unfamiliar settings while demonstrating initiative and cross-cultural communication skills – qualities highly valued by employers. Students also build national and international networks with peers, faculty and professionals, creating valuable connections for future opportunities.
PNW’s Study Away programs offer students diverse destinations for immersive cultural experiences, faculty-led programs ensuring academic rigor, and interdisciplinary opportunities that align with various academic and career goals.
An important aspect of the program is its integration with academic programs, ensuring that the credits earned during Study Away experiences are applicable toward students’ degrees. The inclusion of service-learning and community engagement components provide practical experience and a deeper understanding of global issues. Pre-departure orientation and onsite support help students smoothly navigate their Study Away experience.
Experiencing how Italians treat guests and prioritize local ingredients and community really opened my eyes. It also prepared me for my future career in the hospitality and tourism industry and helped me think on a larger scale.
John Hennessy, ’25, Hospitality and Tourism Management
The majority of Study Away programs are open to all students at PNW and offered throughout the academic year, including short-term, semester and year-long exchanges. Some programs are specific to certain majors and GPA requirements vary depending on the program. The office of International Programs and Partnerships offers one-on-one advising and can help determine the best program fit for each student. PNW offers various scholarships and financial aid options to make these programs accessible.
Everyone’s culture is different, even from city to city in this country. You have to keep an open mind and step out of your comfort zone. Don’t limit yourself or you’ll miss out on an experience you’ll never forget.
Kayla Seymour, ’28, Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Management
For more information on PNW’s Study-Away programs, visit pnw.edu/study-away.
Student Study Away Stories
Whether studying agriturismo in Italy, learning about sustainability and the environment in Costa Rica or exploring the landscapes of Arizona and the Grand Canyon, PNW students took advantage of the wide range of Study Away programs PNW has to offer.
Leo Winders
Master’s Degree student, social work
study away program – costa rica sustainability and the environment
Educational fun was how Leo Winders described his participation in Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Study Away program. He credits the experience with expanding his worldview, deepening his academic passions and strengthening his sense of community at PNW.
“I heard really great things about the different Study Away programs at PNW,” says Winders. “I’ve always loved the idea of travel. When I heard about the Honors College trip to Costa Rica, I saw it as an opportunity to experience a different country and connect with my Honors family.”
Winders earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from PNW and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work. While his ultimate goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker, he is also passionate about social and environmental justice. “The program to Costa Rica gave me a unique opportunity to explore my interests firsthand,” he says.
The eight-day experience focused on how Costa Rica blends economic development with environmental protection. Students were able to explore the country’s culture, cuisine and biodiverse nature reserves, visiting coffee and hearts of palm plantations, hiking to the top of a volcano, and spending time at the La Selva Research Station.
“Being able to immerse ourselves in nature while learning from researchers was an experience that went above and beyond my expectations,” says Winders.
Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental sustainability left a lasting impression on Winders. The experience inspired him to apply for PNW’s Sustainable Development Symposium, an interdisciplinary event that aims to explore the intersections of environmental communication, social policy and justice.
Beyond the academic and cultural enrichment, the trip gave Winders something unexpected – a sense of family. “Participating in this trip really showed me how much of a community PNW is,” he says. “Everyone is so supportive and kind. I left with friendships I never expected.”
Winders is planning to participate in at least two more Study Away programs.
“This program showed me learning can happen anywhere,” says Winders. “Sometimes the best lessons come when you step out of your comfort zone.”
John Hennessy
Fourth-Year hospitality and tourism management major
Study away program – italy study abroad: agriturismo
John Hennessy’s participation in PNW’s Study Away program in Italy proved to be more than an academic experience. It was a journey of discovery, culture and connection.
The program centered on the study of agriturismo, Italy’s unique blend of agriculture, hospitality and tourism. Before traveling to Italy, students met weekly during the semester to study sustainable farming, farm-to-table practices and the rich history of Rome. The semester culminated in a ten-day trip to Italy.
“The trip was so well-organized,” says Hennessy. “We attended lectures at a college in Rome and toured landmarks like Vatican City and the Colosseum. We were able to immerse ourselves in the culture and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. It was a perfect mix of structure and freedom to explore.”
The trip was filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and memories for Hennessy – late night walks through Rome, café conversations with locals, the joy of discovering new parts of the world and himself. One moment in particular stands out.
“A group of us stumbled into a pizza restaurant after hours of walking in the city,” he says. “We ordered individual pizzas and everyone got their own pizza cutter. When they served them, all of the pizzas were placed in a row on a long counter. It looked like a 20-foot pizza. Everyone’s jaws dropped at the same time.”
With interests in entrepreneurship, finance and hospitality, Hennessy was able to experience industry on a global scale. “Hospitality is about people,” says the Highland native. “Experiencing how Italians treat guests and prioritize local ingredients and community really opened my eyes. It also prepared me for my future career in the hospitality and tourism industry and helped me think on a larger scale.”
Having participated in a previous Study Away program, Hennessy says PNW’s program has a secret ingredient. “What makes PNW’s programs special are the professors,” he says. “They turn a class into an adventure. Whether it’s learning about all the different revenue centers onboard a cruise ship, agriturismo in Italy, or visiting different sports stadiums in Chicago, they give you the opportunity to experience first-hand out in the real world what you’re learning in the classroom.”
For students contemplating a Study Away program, Hennessy has some advice. “If you’re thinking about it, that’s your sign to go,” he says. “PNW makes it possible with scholarships and support. You’ll always find reasons to say ‘no,’ but the moment you say ‘yes,’ everything changes!”
Kayla Seymour
Second-year double major, hospitality and tourism management and business management
Study away program – arizona native american reservation trip
Kayla Seymour stepped outside her comfort zone when she chose to participate in PNW’s Study Away – Arizona Native American Reservation Trip.
As a first-generation college student, Seymour is a part of PNW’s TRIO Student Support Services program, which provides opportunities and support for academic development, cultural awareness and lifelong learning. The Arizona program stood out to the East Chicago native because it was offered through the TRIO program and felt like an exciting first step into a Study Away experience.
“During the trip, I had the opportunity to bond with other first-gen students at PNW,” says Seymour. “It was a great opportunity to explore a part of the country I’d never seen and to network. It wasn’t just about sightseeing, it was about interacting and connecting with each other.”
The trip allowed students the opportunity to explore the Grand Canyon from three different vantage points, interact with tour guides and local vendors, and hike mountain trails, volcanic areas and craters. Each evening, the group gathered for game nights and casual conversations.
“I didn’t know most of the people in the group at first,” says Seymour. “The organizers really encouraged us to connect with each other and by the end of the trip we were all talking. We still keep in touch.”
While the Arizona landscape left a lasting impression, it was the people and shared experiences that shaped Seymour’s outlook on her future. After hearing how a tour guide turned his passion for travel into a career and speaking with local artisans selling handmade goods near the canyon, she began to see new possibilities for her own future.
“This trip helped me adapt and see people differently,” says Seymour. “Everyone’s culture is different, even from city to city in this country. You have to keep an open mind and step out of your comfort zone. Don’t limit yourself or you’ll miss out on an experience you’ll never forget.”