News

Living and Learning in London

Ezra in LondonHi! My name is Ezra James Capiral, and I studied abroad in London during the Spring 2020 semester. I’m a Television, Radio & Film major and will be graduating in Spring 2021. My time abroad was nothing short of life-changing. I seriously cannot think of another adjective to describe it, because that word so accurately describes my experience. Even though I was only abroad for a couple of weeks, and was cut short due to the virus outbreak, I made the most of my time abroad and do not regret the time I chose to do so.

What led me to apply for the London program specifically was an utter fascination and curiosity about British culture. I knew language wouldn’t be a barrier, so I took comfort in that fact. However, I knew that living in a different country for an extended amount of time, being that I’ve never left the US in my 20 years of life, would prove some sort of challenge.

Living on my own with no meal plan meant having to buy my own groceries and cook for myself, which in turn would also save money since eating out every day would not be within my budget. Taking public transportation every day to get to class and simply get around London was something I had to learn as well but after only a week or so, the Tube proved very easy to navigate.

Finding the time to incorporate my studies while also having the opportunity to explore the city was also a challenge, as sometimes you can let your excitement get the better of you and cause you to prioritize differently. As I overcame each of these small obstacles, I found myself to feel more comfortable in the new environment, which in turn helped me manage my time better and maximize the productivity of my days. With more free time, I took advantage of the fact that travel to other countries from London would be cheaper than it would be from the US. That took me to Gothenburg, Sweden, for a weekend, where I got to eat plenty of fresh seafood, visit art and history museums, and ride an electric scooter for the very first time! Back in London, I would frequent the V&A museum, various food stops (mostly hot pot), and my favorite, Hyde Park, only a 20-minute walk from my flat.

In terms of academics, I can definitely say I was the most invested in my classes abroad than I have been throughout my time at SU. What I enjoyed most about my course schedule is the fact that at least half of the classes require you to venture outside the classroom, thus allowing learning through cultural immersion and exploration. While some of these field trips were led by the professor, a lot of them actually required you to travel on your own time, gather the information that you learn, and then report to the classroom the next day about your findings. Each day, and each week, I was constantly inspired by the academic material, and how interactive learning was highly encouraged through personal exploration and engaging conversations inside and outside the classroom.

In the future, I definitely plan on going back to London, as well as visit other places within the UK that I was not able to explore yet. There is always so much more to learn and discover, and I cannot wait for what my next adventure has in store for me!

Ezra James Capiral ’21

Syracuse London

Newhouse, TRF

Apply now to Spring 2022 semester programs!

Go global in spring 2022 – apply now for semester study abroad programs!

  • Experience exciting programming at our Centers paired with unique experiential learning opportunities
  • Receive extensive health and safety support from knowledgeable on-the-ground staff
  • Eligible students can receive need and merit based financial aid grants
  • Apply early and save: Pay only $30 for your application fee when you start your application and pay your application fee between May 1 and May 31.

Spring 2022 Programs

Apply Now

Florence:

London:

Madrid:

Santiago:

Strasbourg:

World Partner programs:

Questions? Meet with an International Program Advisor or schedule a General Advising appointment for more information!

Covid-19 Vaccine Requirement for 2021 Programs

Important announcement regarding Covid-19 Vaccine requirement: Consistent with the Chancellor’s message to the University community on April 8, 2021, Syracuse Abroad requires all participants to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to their departure for any program, unless students have obtained an approved medical or religious exemption.

Not only will the vaccine have a direct and positive impact on the quality of your study abroad experience,  we anticipate vaccine requirements being issued by destination governments in the very near future.

Any questions regarding the required vaccine can be directed to Bridget Demorest, Assistant Director Student Services

Abroad@Home: Fall 2021 online courses

Syracuse Abroad is excited to announce Abroad@Home online courses offered by Syracuse Abroad faculty for the fall 2021 semester. These virtual Syracuse University courses will be available to Syracuse University students during main campus registration for the fall 2021 semester.

We encourage you to explore these options and consider building connections with the talented instructors and students at our overseas Centers! As always, all course selections should be reviewed with Syracuse University academic advisors prior to registration.

Courses taught by Syracuse London faculty:

Course taught by Syracuse Madrid faculty:

These courses are open to all Syracuse University students in China and on main campus pending any necessary prerequisites.

Learn more about GEO300 Climates of Resistance taught by Syracuse London Professor Becca Farnum:

2021 Syracuse University Scholars

Congratulations to the twelve Syracuse University students chosen as 2021 scholars, and special congratulations to our six program alum!

  • Discovery Florence alum Katelyn Bajorek, an anthropology and history major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program
  • French for Diplomacy summer program alum Alaba Danagogo, a biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • World Partner SIT Morocco alum Patrick Linehan, a newspaper and online journalism major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, a policy studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program
  • Madrid Summer Session alum Simran Mirchandani, a biochemistry and Spanish language, literature and culture major in the College of Arts and Sciences, an economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program
  • London Center alum Bobbi Whitney, an information management and technology major in the School of Information Studies and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program
  • London Center alum Lily Wolfer, an inclusive elementary and special education major in the School of Education

 

Learn more about all 2021 University Scholars!

Studying Engineering in Florence

Ciao, my name is John Mazza! I am a junior civil engineering major and studied abroad in Florence in the spring of 2020. The beginning of my abroad experience was incredible because I participated in the Sustainability on Trial Signature Seminar. While on the Seminar, I was able to travel to Norway, Finland and Sweden while getting credit for the class as well. While I was in those countries, I was able to mush huskies, visit a reindeer farm and snowshoe up a glacier! I made so many memories and met so many people on the seminar and I will cherish these moments for the rest of my life.

After the seminar was finished, I began the semester in Florence. When I first settled in with my roommate and host family, they were incredibly welcoming to us. My host family was one of the best experiences that I had in Italy. Although they did not speak a lot of English, we were still able to communicate very well and they were a very nice couple. We ate dinner together every night and the meals were like events (the food was absolutely delicious). I still keep in contact with my host family to this day and I am so glad that I was able to meet them. In addition to my host family, I was able to meet so many people as a result of studying abroad. Many of the people that I met were from all over the world and most of them were students, but I was introduced to such a diverse background of people.

I chose the Florence program because I knew that I wanted to go abroad to Italy and I was able to take my engineering classes there while keeping my same expected graduation date. Studying engineering at the Florence Center  was valuable because I was introduced to a new perspective on engineering courses. There were slight variations in the way we learned engineering concepts which I am grateful for being able to learn in this way. I truly felt like a gained much more knowledge beyond my engineering courses as well.

In addition, I knew that I wanted to go to Italy because I am Italian in heritage and I wanted to spend more time there to truly see the culture which I was able to do in my time there. Many advisors and staff in the Florence center were very helpful when I told them my situation and major so everything worked out perfectly and my questions were never left unanswered. I also knew that studying in a central region of Europe would allow me the experience to travel to many other countries. While I was abroad, I spent time in 9 countries but a few of the highlights were my ski trip to Switzerland and a weekend in Dublin. I skied in Zermatt which was the mountain that my dad skied at during his study abroad program years ago. I also spent a weekend in Dublin and took a day trip to see the cliffs of Moher. These are two of the favorite trips that I have taken in my life and I will remember them forever.

Overall, looking back on my time abroad I can truly say that I had a life changing experience. I was able to gain a new perspective on my culture and the way that I live my life. Seeing how engineering was taught in another country was also very interesting and a valuable skill that not all engineers are exposed to. I want to carry everything that I learned abroad with me and I plan on returning to Europe very soon because it is truly an incredible place. I still have many places to visit on my bucket list so I think that I will be back very soon. I am also deciding on going abroad to get an international MBA after my undergraduate degree is complete so that I can see more of Europe and travel to places that I have never seen before. Arrivederci!

John Mazza ’22

Civil Engineering

Florence Center

Application deadlines extended for Summer and World Partner programs

Syracuse Abroad is extending the application deadline for various summer and World Partner programs.

Summer programs

Summer session programs with an application deadline of March 15:

Syracuse University students applying to these two programs are eligible for generous need-based funding.

New summer program with an application deadline of April 1:

Virtual summer internships with British businesses are available in a variety of fields, including architecture, business, communications, design, drama, education, entertainment management, government and policy, human rights work, and technology. Students can choose to work for 10, 20, or 35 hours per week, for 4 or 8 weeks. Depending on how many hours spent in the virtual placement, students can earn 1, 2, or 3 credits.

World Partner programs

World Partner Programs with an application deadline of April 1 or 15 (program dependent):

 

View all extended programs

New Financial Aid Awards for 2021-22 Programs

Syracuse Abroad is excited to announce the addition of $1.4 million in scholarship and grant funding! We are reinvigorated by our University’s commitment to the field of international education and to the support of both Syracuse University students and students studying abroad with us from outside institutions. These funds help us deepen our commitment to global exploration and aim to help make studying abroad more accessible to students.

With generous support from the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience, this $1.4 million in new funds will be awarded to undergraduate students participating in semester programs during the 2021-22 academic year. It will apply to both Center and World Partner programs and is designed to assist students with financial need. Students will also remain eligible for all other existing scholarships and grants. As part of this funding initiative, we will be providing eligible students with the awards outlined below and lowering the admission application fee for fall 2021 semester programs.

New Awards for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022

Academic Excellence Award: Full-time semester program students with a GPA of 3.7 – 4.0 attending a fall or spring semester will receive an academic excellence award in the following amounts: $1,400 for fall 2021 programs and $650 for spring 2022 programs. The award is automatic, based on cumulative GPA as reported at the time of application to the program.

Need-Based Merit Award: Eligible full-time semester program students with a GPA of 3.0 – 3.69 will receive a need-based merit award in the following amounts: $1,000 for fall 2021 programs and $400 for spring 2022 programs. The award is automatic, based on the combination of qualifying GPA and financial need levels. 

Travel Assistance Grants: Eligible full-time semester program students will receive an award of $850 for fall 2021 and spring 2022 programs. This grant will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Syracuse University Office of Financial Aid. This grant will be a part of a student’s total financial aid package. Students will need to cover upfront costs of purchasing the flight as these funds will not be disbursed until closer to the start of the semester.

Application Fee Reduction: The application fee for all students has been reduced to $50 for fall 2021 semester programs.

Syracuse University Students

Not entirely sure what you qualify for? Grants and aid are determined by your financial need based on your FAFSA and CSS Profile,  and various eligibility criteria apply.

If you have further questions about discerning your eligibility, please contact your financial aid counselor.

Visiting Students

Students studying with Syracuse Abroad from partner institutions must first add Syracuse University to FAFSA in order to be considered for need-based awards. (Use code: 002882)

New Experiences in Chile

¡Hola! My name is Miranda Carlo, I am a junior at Syracuse University, majoring in International Relations and I will be graduating in the fall of 2021 semester. I studied abroad during my spring semester of 2020 in a Syracuse Abroad program in Santiago, Chile. I always knew, since high school, that I wanted to study abroad and that is one of the reasons why I chose Syracuse University. After I researched the different programs that Syracuse offers, I was between the World Partner program in Brazil and the Syracuse abroad program in Chile. I was debating between these two because I knew I wanted to go to South America, but the Chile program is completely taught in Spanish and Brazil is in English. I was extremely nervous and not confident at all with my Spanish, but I ultimately chose Chile because I really wanted to learn the language. In addition, this program has many other cool aspects such as the Signature Seminar and the Cuenca Immersion program in Ecuador. In addition, this program works very well with my major, all the classes I took were able to count for my major. I was not only studying cultures and politics that I was interested in but also allowed me to advance my academic progress.

I absolutely loved the Signature Seminar for this program, we got to travel for 2 weeks through 3 different countries, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. It was an amazing time to learn about the similarities and differences between each country in regard to their history of dictatorships and general cultural aspects.

Since my program was cut very short due to COVID-19, the majority of my semester abroad was spent in Cuenca, Ecuador for the immersion program. This part of the program is only required if you do not have all the necessary levels of Spanish completed and, as a sophomore, I knew I wanted to do this program to improve my Spanish for Chile. My cohorts and I took one Spanish class and did so many awesome activities set up by CEDEI (the school name in Ecuador) such as cooking classes, dance classes and long day trips on the weekends, my favorite one was when we hiked a mountain. We all had so much fun and were able to become more confident in using our Spanish.

While I was abroad, I had so many different experiences that I would never be able to have in the US. For one, I attended the Women’s March in Santiago, Chile. I cherish this experience like no other because it was my first ever march that I attended and the significance of this march in Chile allowed me to understand and appreciate march and protest culture a lot more. In the program, one thing we learn a lot about is the dictatorship of Pinochet in Chile. While learning about all the human rights violations that Chileans have faced, this march became that much more important to attend and be part of.

SantiagoI truly changed as a person from when I studied abroad. It was the first time I traveled by myself and I had to adapt to a lot of new situations that I have never experienced before. I feel like I have become more independent, less insecure and more confidant that I can handle uncomfortable situations. Overall, I always considered myself a pretty open-minded person who understand all different opinions and aspects of life; however, studying abroad has opened my eyes to so many new, ideas and perspectives that I would never have thought of before. I have never had so much fun learning and becoming a better version of myself.

Miranda Carlo ’21

Syracuse Santiago