Fall-only programs, better availability, similar costs and holiday magic make autumn a strong choice for your Syracuse Abroad semester.
Wondering when to go abroad? Here are five reasons fall might be your best bet.
Students are carrying forward the bond between Lockerbie and the University through field research, summer courses and Remembrance Exchange trips.
Lockerbie, Scotland, is well known as a place of tragedy connected to Syracuse University through the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. But for a new generation of Syracuse University students, the small Scottish town is also an international classroom, a research laboratory and a second home.
Read more: Learning in Lockerbie
Ella Roerden ’27, a dual anthropology and international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, spent three semesters abroad—in Florence, Santiago and Wroclaw, Poland.
“Having such a diverse set of opportunities abroad gave me a better idea of potential career paths outside of the U.S. and a glimpse of just how much is out there,” she says. “I am planning to apply to graduate programs in archaeology in Europe, and this decision was partly informed by all my time and experiences abroad.”
This year, the University community is invited to learn more about those opportunities during Study Abroad and Away Week, which is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, though Friday, Sept. 18.
The event will include virtual information sessions about semester and summer study abroad programs and study away opportunities, as well as sessions that cover specific schools and colleges.
The week will culminate with the Study Abroad and Away Fair on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Quad. (Rain location: Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center.) The fair will include conversations with Global Ambassadors (students who have participated in study abroad), including Roerden, who will be on-hand to answer questions and talk about her experiences abroad.
Learn more: Study Abroad & Away Week
Applications are open for summer 2027 programs! Start by checking out our faculty-led courses, internships or summer sessions at our Centers. With over 20 program options, you can find the program that meets your academic and personal needs.
Explore Summer 2027 programs:
Financial aid is available!
In addition to Study Abroad Grants, additional need-based grants of up to $4,500 are available for Syracuse undergraduate students who attend a summer program at one of our Centers (Florence, London, Madrid, or Strasbourg).
GPA of 3.4 or above? You can apply for a $1,000 Merit Scholarship! Application details can be found in your summer program application portal.
Learn more about Summer 2027 programs
Are you considering studying abroad but unsure of when to go? Look no further! Here are five exciting reasons why the fall semester is the perfect time for your international adventure.
Fall offers unique study abroad opportunities that you won’t want to miss. Programs like Engineering in Strasbourg and Spanish Immersion in Santiago are specifically designed for the fall semester.
Drama majors can thrive in the Acting at Shakespeare’s Globe program, while computer science students can enhance their skills in London with courses that align with their major.
On a pre-med track? Check out Health & Science in Madrid for core courses and electives that align with STEM studies!
Discover programs only offered in the fall semester:
New programs launching in fall 2027:
Interested in studying in Florence or Madrid? Consider applying for fall programs for a higher chance of getting accepted into your preferred program and housing option, with your friends!
Studying abroad in the fall means you’re more likely to be accepted into your preferred program and housing arrangements. With a variety of fall-exclusive options available, students have greater chances of securing spots in programs that align with their academic and personal interests. Plus, you’ll have a variety of housing choices, making it easier to find accommodations that suit your needs and preferences. Note: acceptance into spring semester programs is not guaranteed.
Worried about the cost of studying abroad? Syracuse Abroad makes it easier! You can retain your institutional aid while studying on a Syracuse Abroad program, ensuring the financial costs are similar to studying on campus. Plus, there are numerous grants and scholarships specifically available for fall programs. Don’t miss out on exclusive funding opportunities designed to support your international education!
All students enrolling in the Fall 2027 Santiago Center program will automatically receive a $1,500 Latin America Travel Grant.
Fall is a vibrant time for holiday celebrations, especially in Europe! Experience the magical Strasbourg Christmas markets, known as the oldest in Europe, where you can enjoy festive lights, local crafts and delicious treats. Participate in the Strasbourg World Forum on Democracy, and immerse yourself in cultural events like Oktoberfest in Germany.
In Italy, explore olive oil pressing and truffle hunting and festivals in the fall, and if you’re heading to the UK, experience Guy Fawkes (Bonfire Night) across the region. These celebrations offer a unique glimpse into local traditions and create unforgettable memories while you study abroad.
Studying abroad in the fall gives you additional time to explore your interests and make any necessary adjustments to your academic path upon returning to campus. Whether you’re considering a new major or minor, exploring internship opportunities or joining clubs, the fall semester abroad provides a unique opportunity to reflect and grow in a new environment. You can return to campus with fresh perspectives and newfound passions!
With exclusive programs, financial support, exciting holiday celebrations and the opportunity for personal growth, fall is the perfect time to study abroad. Don’t wait! Visit the apply page for more information on available programs and to apply early—applications for Fall semester programs open on November 15.
Don’t forget! When planning your study abroad journey, it’s important to plan early, understand your options and stay flexible about your desired semester and location abroad.
A summer in Spain is like no other. Ask any one of the 36 students who spent five weeks this summer in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities: Madrid, Spain.
Over the course of the Madrid Summer Session at Syracuse University Madrid, students explored the streets of captivating cities, engaged with local communities and built a long-lasting connection with Spain that spans beyond the classroom.
Read more: Summer in Spain
This May, a group of Syracuse Florence students traded the familiar cobblestones of Tuscany for the sun-drenched markets and volcanic hillsides of Sicily.
From April 30 to May 9, they traveled the length of the island as part of Culinary Crossings, a Signature Seminar designed and led by food studies Professor Olivier De Maret that used cuisine as a window onto centuries of Mediterranean history, culture, and exchange.
The seminar was exclusively food-focused unlike a previous travel seminar led by De Maret in collaboration with retired photography professor Stefania Talini. “This time around we focused on getting to know the people that make up the island’s food system,” he says.
Read more: A Culinary Signature Seminar
Seventeen students from Syracuse University, including students from the Falk College of Sport, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Martin J. Whitman School of Management and College of Engineering and Computer Science, traveled to Asia in May as part of an 18-day study abroad trip for the Themes in Sport and Its Global Impact: Korea, China and Japan (SPM 440/SAL 440) class. Jamie Kim, associate professor of sport management, and John Wolohan, professor of sport management, led the trip.
Read the full story: One Unforgettable Maymester
A stereotype in the global education sector is that it’s especially difficult for students in STEM—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—to study abroad. Syracuse Abroad combats this thinking through special partnerships allowing STEM students to explore their fields in a range of countries, with access to cutting-edge laboratories and transformative experiential learning activities.
The University’s international STEM opportunities range from a special program for aerospace, bio, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering students in Strasbourg to internships at the Istituto di Neuroscienze of Italy’s National Research Council through the Florence Center.
Read more: Celebrating Experiential Learning in STEM
Before studying abroad, I often struggled to identify my own interests and sense of self, frequently mirroring the people around me. Moving to London — without knowing many people — allowed me to carve my own path, and I embraced it fully. What began as a semester abroad quickly became one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
Once I settled into the rhythm of the city, I began taking daily walks through London. For someone who once considered themselves “too lazy” to take walks, this shift surprised me. I quickly realized it had never been about laziness, but rather a lack of motivation in the life I had been living before. These walks became moments of peace and clarity, offering space to reflect amid the chaos of coursework, internships and city life. They taught me the importance of independence, balance and intentional self-care — lessons I will carry with me long after graduation.
Academically, I took Working in a Global Workplace (BPS 400) and Race and Gender in the Media (COM 346), courses that pushed me to think critically about global communication, workplace culture and media representation. These classes complemented my professional internship experience perfectly, especially while working as a Consumer & Lifestyle Public Relations Intern at FINN Partners UK. I loved my role so much that I expanded my hours to the maximum allowed by my visa, gaining hands-on experience in pitching, client research, media monitoring and campaign development. This internship confirmed my passion for public relations and strengthened my confidence in pursuing a global career in communications.
Outside of academics and work, my living situation helped shape my experience. I lived in a flat with three roommates — one friend from Syracuse and two students from another university — creating a supportive, social home environment. Together, we navigated cultural differences, shared late-night meals and built friendships that turned into lifelong connections.
One of my greatest highlights abroad was a weekend trip to Tromsø, Norway, where I experienced the Arctic Circle firsthand. From trying a reindeer hot dog and visiting the northernmost McDonald’s in the world to floating and jumping into the Arctic Ocean during a snowstorm, every moment pushed me beyond my comfort zone. This trip showed me how diverse human experiences can be and sparked a deep desire to continue traveling and exploring the world.
Throughout my fall semester abroad, I also balanced leadership roles as Public Relations and Marketing Director for Fetch Collective Magazine and Creative Director of Zeta Phi Eta, Syracuse University’s communications fraternity. This experience taught me the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing balance, all valuable experiences I would pass on to future study abroad students.
I left for London as a hesitant, dependent student, and I returned as a confident, motivated and deeply independent individual. Studying abroad did more than expand my worldview — it allowed me to truly find myself. For anyone even slightly considering studying abroad, my advice is simple: go. The growth, clarity, and perspective you gain are life-changing, and the memories will stay with you forever.
Riley Padron ’27
London Center, fall 2025
Public Relations
