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Syracuse Abroad announces Funding Opportunities for Summer 2021 programs

Summer Program Grants & Scholarships

Syracuse University is committed to making the Syracuse Abroad experience possible for all students. In partnership with ESE and Invest Syracuse, Syracuse Abroad is pleased to provide a variety of assistance options available to students participating in summer 2021 programs, including scholarships and grants listed below.

Summer Grants

Photo: C. Naples

Funding is available for Summer Center programs! Summer grants will be allocated to Syracuse University undergraduate students in medium, high and high plus need categories applying to summer 2021 programs at Syracuse Abroad centers in Florence, London, Madrid and Strasbourg. In combination with need-based financial aid for summer programs available to all students who qualify, undergraduates with the highest need applying to study in one of these locations this summer could receive up to $9,000 in grants.

Summer programs application deadline: February 10, 2021

Apply now:

Summer Merit-Scholarships

Syracuse Abroad is excited to announce the return of our merit-based scholarship for summer 2021 study abroad programs. Syracuse University undergraduate students with high academic achievement have the opportunity to apply for a limited number of $1,000 merit-based scholarships to participate in our exciting, academically challenging, and innovative summer programs abroad.

Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate matriculated Syracuse University student
  • GPA of 3.4 or higher (no exceptions)
  • Must have a completed summer application at the time of submission

How to Apply:

Students will find the scholarship application within their OrangeAbroad Portal after starting an application for a summer 2021 Program.

Application:

  • Personal essay (up to 500 words) OR
  • Creative personal statement video (up to 3 minutes)

*Selection Committee will review all applicants after the deadline of January 30 (no rolling admissions review)

Scholarship application deadline: January 30, 2021

Apply now

Need-based financial aid

The Office of Financial Aid awards Study Abroad Grants (SAG), based on financial need, that range from $250-$2,000 for 3 credits and $500-$4,000 for 6 credits. Need is determined by the previous academic year’s FAFSA information.

Why choose a Summer program?

Photo: L. McCabe

Summer programs are a great way to study abroad without missing a beat on campus. These programs allow you to stay on track academically, boost your resume and gain culturally immersive and hands-on experience in a global context. Next summer, spend 4-5 weeks at one of our Centers, join a faculty-led program for intensive field-study or embark on an internship abroad. During your time, your will immerse yourself in a new culture, earn credit and develop your global identity.

View all summer 2021 programs:

For questions about summer programs, email Summer International Program Advisors Stephanie Ramin or Myles Chalue.

Applications for summer programs are reviewed on a rolling basis and must be submitted by February 10, 2020.

Florence: Embracing Art & Family Tradition

Hello! My name is Grace Landis and I am a senior at the University of Southern California, graduating in Spring 2021. I am double majoring in Psychology and The Classics, with a minor in Performance Science. I chose to go abroad with Syracuse Florence because I love Italy and the program has a variety of courses related to The Classics and art. I also have a familial connection with the program as my mom and aunt also studied abroad with Syracuse Florence! Living in Italy was the perfect opportunity to practice my Italian and to study some of the most beautiful pieces of art.

One of my favorite classes was ‘Leonardo da Vinci’. The class was dedicated to his art, inventions, and life and it was an incredible experience. We went on a day trip to Milan for the class to see The Last Supper and other amazing paintings which was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. A great part of the Syracuse Florence program is there are organized day and weekend trips around Italy. A few friends and I went on an olive oil tasting with the school in a small town south of Florence, and I also went to Rome and Fiesole with one of my classes. These organized trips are a great way to make friends with other students, especially if you are coming in as a non-Syracuse student!

On the weekends I was able to visit other cities in Italy, such as Verona, Venice, Pisa and Bologna. Traveling within Italy is very easy as there are options for trains, buses, flying, or renting a car! I also visited Monaco, Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris and London while abroad. Studying abroad is a great opportunity for visiting different countries, but it is also important to stay in your own country and city to get to know the culture. I loved walking around Florence on a sunny day to find a small cafe or museum and just wander around for a few hours.

Florence is a very easy city to get around by bus, taxi or just by walking. Villa Rossa, where classes are held, is only a short walk from the city center, so my friends and I would go get gelato or an aperitivo after classes.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 my study abroad experience was cut short, but it showed me how important it is to make as many memories as possible while abroad because you never know what could happen. Florence is one of my favorite places in the world and I can’t wait to go back and visit my host family again. My study abroad experience showed me that I truly love traveling and I love Europe so I plan to go back as soon as I can and hopefully I will be able to live there in the future.

Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity that shapes how you see the world and I am so grateful for all of the memories I made and people I met while in Florence. Ciao!

Grace Landis ’21

University of Southern California

Syracuse Florence

Application deadline extended for Spring 2021 programs

There is still time to apply! Syracuse Abroad is still accepting applications for select Center and World Partner programs for the Spring 2021 semester. Our Center locations are continuing to offer robust programming, valuable courses and exciting extracurricular activities for students planning on studying abroad.

Center programs accepting applications until November 1:

For more information about Spring 2021 Center programs, view our Program Modifications and Frequently Asked Questions.

Select World Partner Programs are accepting applications until October 15, apply now!

Unpacking my Sydney Bucket List

I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Sydney, Australia before I knew where I wanted to go to college. I love to travel, am an adventure-seeker, and had heard nothing but amazing things about the city from people who had studied there in years prior. This is where I was going and nothing could change that – not where my friends were going, not where my academic advisor advised me to go, and not the fact that I would be across the world with a 16-hour time change from my home. On January 1, 2020, I got off the plane in Sydney, Australia and never looked back. After close to three months of experiencing pure happiness, I truly understood why people say to “go with your gut.”

As a Broadcast and Digital Journalism student in Newhouse, I knew that Sydney was not a place where I could take any classes required for my major. However, instead of letting this be an obstacle, I just figured out a way to make it work. I met with my advisor several times to plan out my schedule for every semester, in order to account for all the credits needed for my May 2021 graduation. I took some of my major requirements ahead of time, and planned which courses I would take as a senior, post-abroad. Newhouse also requires students to take a number of Arts and Science electives, so rather than taking these on campus, I saved them for abroad. Doing so not only allowed me to find a way to study in Sydney, but I also had the opportunity to take courses about topics that I would never have the chance to learn about elsewhere. For instance, in my “Indigenous Australia” course, I learned about the Indigenous community in Australia, their culture, and the struggles they have faced as a minority group. My class also went on a field trip led by a member of the Indigenous community, giving us the opportunity to learn in an out-of-classroom setting from someone who could share his own personal experiences. To me, this type of learning is priceless and allows me to have a broad knowledge of the world beyond what I learn in the classrooms at Syracuse.

Before I left for Sydney, I created a personal bucket list of activities I wanted to participate in outside of school. Unfortunately, the program ended early due to COVID-19, so I could not complete my entire list, but I am proud to have fit as much as I could have into the time that I had. At the top of my list was none other than skydiving. If you ask my mom, she will tell you that “kids go abroad to Australia to skydive.” She is not totally wrong. As I briefly considered other cities to study in, I didn’t feel that any other place had as many options for me to be my adventurous self. I wanted to go surfing, I wanted to see exotic animals, and I wanted to climb bridges, so Sydney was really my only option. My parents begged me not to skydive, but I couldn’t be stopped – I was living out my adventure.

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore during my time abroad. Ironically, I did so in February amidst the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak. While in Thailand I had the chance to ride an elephant, go inside a tiger cage, and see many famous temples. In Vietnam I tasted traditional street food, cruised along Ha Long Bay, and saw sights of the Vietnam War. In Singapore I explored the famous Gardens by the Bay, overlooked the entire city from the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands hotel, and tried the chicken satay from the same food market as the characters in Crazy Rich Asians. Thanks to study abroad, I was able to travel to these amazing places and immerse myself into various different cultures alongside my friends.

Studying abroad in Sydney, Australia helped to shape me as in individual. One of the reasons I chose to attend Syracuse University is because it is only a four-hour drive away from my hometown. When I was applying to schools, I simply had no interest in being a plane ride away from my family. Yet, I chose the city with the farthest plane ride to study abroad in. With a 16-hour time difference, there were only a few hours of the day during which my parents and I would be awake at the same time. I realized that I couldn’t call to say hi or text them a question at any given moment like I did before; instead I had to find one or two times a day where we could FaceTime and catch up. Living in a new country is a challenge, let alone as a student. However, doing so allowed me to grow as a person. I became more independent, responsible, and outgoing. Study abroad was one of the best experiences of my life for many reasons and I would do it all over again tomorrow.

Amanda Albert ’21

World Partner program, UNSW

Truly Exploring Central Europe

Hi all! I’m Caroline, a senior at Colgate University where I major in Religion and minor in Economics. In the fall of 2019, I was fortunate enough to participate in Syracuse Abroad’s Exploring Central Europe semester program. The focus of this program was history, memory, and identity. We studied Central Europe through these lenses, looking at its early history through now with a special focus on the Holocaust and the Soviet regime. As a non-Syracuse student, I was initially nervous about joining a group of mostly Syracuse classmates; however, I found that before even arriving at our destination, after 18 hours and 3 airports, I felt like I had known my new friends for months.

We began our three-month-long adventure with the Signature Seminar. After landing in Budapest, we spent three to four days each in Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague. These two weeks were an incredible learning experience: in lieu of a classroom, we used museums, monuments, memorials, tours, and true immersion to learn about each place’s history and culture. Travelling by bus, exchanging currencies, and picking up on greetings combined with our in-class conversations – which almost always carried into dinner table discussions – to create an immeasurable connection with and knowledge of each place.

We then settled into Wroclaw, Poland, our home for the next ten weeks. Now would be a good time to mention the amazing faculty who led this trip. Our professors, coordinators, and all those involved along the way were so enthusiastic about introducing us to the wonder that is Central Europe. On top of that, they showed true care for our general wellbeing and did not hesitate to make this known. Once we got to Wroclaw, we met our other professors who would be teaching our classes at the University. They, too, were eager to teach us about all of the aspects of Polish history and culture about which they were so passionate. I gained a far deeper appreciation for Wroclaw, for Poland, and for Central Europe from our professors and faculty than I ever would have without their education and guidance.

An extension of the two-week signature seminar brought us to weekends in Warsaw, Krakow, and Berlin where we continued to dig deep into each location’s history. I have a particularly long-lasting impression of our day touring Auschwitz-Birkenau during the weekend in Krakow. It was here that so much of our studies culminated into an overwhelmingly emotional realization of being in the place where such horror occurred. This is one extreme example of the hands-on experiences we had in these cities; after spending so much time delving into certain subjects like the Warsaw Uprisings or the Berlin Wall, it was even more eye-opening and educational to physically be in the places and spaces where history happened.

My semester abroad left me with countless memories, lessons, and reflections. I gained an independence I had previously thought impossible; some of my best memories are from simply strolling through Wroclaw and seeing where I’d end up. My favorite places I ended up, for that matter, were Cathedral Island (or Ostrow Tumski), Kolekwojo, and Vinyl Cafe. I was able to enjoy trips outside of Wroclaw on the signature seminar and on my own to Nice, Barcelona, Oslo, and Dresden, which I loved, but I also learned that there is nothing quite like feeling at home in a new place. I truly felt as though I belonged in Wroclaw after just a few weeks of studying in cafes, exploring the Market Square, and navigating the metro with my classmates. Wroclaw is an amazing city with plenty to offer, particularly once the Christmas Markets open up and the smell of mulled wine, waffles, and kielbasa fills the air. I will forever be thankful for the semester I spent there and the wonderful people I befriended during that time.

Caroline Simon ’20, Colgate University

Exploring Central Europe, Fall 2019

Syracuse Abroad ranked #7 in Study Abroad

Syracuse Abroad has been ranked #7 in Study Abroad, up from #11, in US News & World Report

Table“Syracuse University offers undergraduates a variety of study abroad opportunities, including through the school’s overseas centers and programs with partner institutions. Freshmen interested in the liberal arts can spend their first semester studying abroad through the Discovery Programs in Madrid; Strasbourg, France; or Florence, Italy.” -US News & World Report

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Program alumna attends virtual Global Student Leadership Summit Conference

Nicole Llewellyn ’21 attended the Global Student Leadership Summit Conference hosted by Diversity Abroad in an entirely virtual setting in August of 2020. The conference is intended for students of diverse background who studied abroad to meet, connect and reflect on their experiences. Through hands-on sessions, critical dialog and breakout sessions, students had the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, meet professionals in the field and embrace diversity through a global lens.

Nicole, a Syracuse Abroad Global Ambassador, attended our Florence Center Engineering program in spring of 2019. She majors in Chemical Engineering and Neuroscience and truly valued her time in Florence. She applied to attend the GSLS and was accepted to attend and represent Syracuse Abroad as our student ambassador.

Hear what she had to say about her conference experience:

Despite the Global Student Leadership Summit (GSLS) being online this year, I believe I not only gained invaluable insight from a diverse group of students and presenters but connected with them through our unique experiences as well. In a matter of three days, we went from strangers to friends, united in how our personal identity shaped our study abroad experience. With in-depth conversations about personal and leadership identity and professional development sessions, I experienced growth as an individual while learning how global experiences can connect people in many ways and open further opportunities abroad.

The first day of GSLS began with a warm welcome from Joelle Tolifero, one of the members of the planning committee from Diversity Abroad, giving all twenty of us participants an overview of the day. Throughout the day, I listened to speakers Jacquis Waters, a member of the planning committee from Columbia University, Cheyenne Boyce, Director of Program Development at the Confucius Center, and Will Baggett, author of bestselling book, “The Blueprint for a Successful Career”. During Jacquis’ session, I was challenged to think critically about my personal identity and what role our identity played while abroad. I not only learned the difference between social and personal identity but how we must break this cycle of socialization of norms by examining our biases, self-educating, and challenging and disrupting. Given our current political and social climate, I considered what I learned in this session to be incredibly valuable and relevant. Cheyenne also focused on identity, but how it plays a crucial role in many conflicts. When core characteristics of your identity are threatened, conflicts may arise and damage relationships between individuals and groups. Yet I learned that determining common interests between two parties is the key to finding creative solutions. Finally, Will spoke about how we can build our professional career, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and executive image. So much of our success in the workplace stems from what we can bring using our unique perspective and how we present ourselves both in person and on social media.

On the second day of the conference, Malcolm Glenn, Director of Public Affairs at Better.com and former employee at Google and Uber Technologies, spoke about his unconventional career path and how inspiration drove him to take on the jobs he has had and has now. I was struck by how passionately he spoke to us, reiterating that we should pursue what inspires and engages us, and we need to continuously advocate for ourselves. He left us with a very important and powerful statement: “Your worth is not defined by your first role – by any role – you have.” I attended a second seminar with Lily Lopez-McGee, the Director of the Pickering Fellowship Program, who spoke with us about pursuing an international career after graduation. Many opportunities exist to help us achieve our goal to continue life abroad such as fellowships, volunteering, teaching English, internships, and graduate school. Although she spoke of the Peace Corps, Princeton in Africa/Asia/Latin America, and Fulbright, those of which I have heard of before, it was very helpful to hear her perspective and ask specific questions. Using the SMART goals method, I also learned how I can feasibly attain my goals, whatever they may be, by making them specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-oriented.

The last day of GSLS consisted primarily of networking with professionals who had experience working abroad or in government institutions including Fulbright, Peace Corps, and the Bureau of International Affairs. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to speak and ask questions one on one to these accomplished individuals. I learned that many continue to use the skills they learned abroad in their current position, and they gained more confidence by going abroad.

Overall, my experience at GSLS was extremely fulfilling and gave me the time to reflect more in depth about my time abroad. It was an opportunity that I never received before to speak with a like-minded cohort about how my study abroad helped me grow and how I can use what I learned to be a more effective leader and enact change within my community. I am incredibly appreciative of the opportunities this conference afforded me: connecting with people from around the world through open dialogue and listening to a diverse group of speakers in the academic and professional world. GSLS helped me learn more about both my identity and what I hope to achieve professionally, academically, and personally in the future.

-Nicole Llewellyn ’21

Learn more about the Global Student Leadership Summit

Becoming a Londoner

My name is Olivia Ly and I am majoring in public relations with a minor in psychology. I went aboard my second semester, junior year.  I chose Syracuse London,  as it was easy to take classes towards my major, allowed me to pursue an internship, and enroll in a  signature seminar to start my program. The staff at Syracuse London were great. The professors were invested in not only our academics but also how we adjusted to London. In almost every class the professors would give some sort of  advice on travel and places to visit in London. Syracuse London worked with me to give me a great work, academic, and life balance, I would attend classes Monday and Tuesday, intern on Wednesday and Thursday and was able to travel and explore Friday to Sunday. London is such a diverse city that it truly has something for everyone. It is very easy to travel to different countries and explore other parts of England.

Syracuse London offered a variety of courses that allowed me to fulfill requirements for my public relations major and psychology minor. Syracuse London offered several Newhouse requirements such as Communication Law, Diversity, and the Global experience. I was able to choose from a few different psychology courses that allowed me to study health in different  cultures and study forensic psychology through popular British cases such as Jack the Ripper. These courses included field trips that allowed me to gain a better perspective of British culture.

Before my time at Syracuse London, I participated in a signature seminar: Sustainability on Trial in northern Europe which was a 3 credit class that took place over 11 days. In just 11 days, I was able to visit Sweden, Finland, and Norway. This truly is one of my favorite experiences I had aboard as I was able to go dog sledding, feed reindeer, and go snow shoeing, all while also gaining class credit, meeting new people, and becoming more environmentally conscious. I would strongly recommend that anyone who loves to learn, and travel sign up for a signature seminar. The 11 days are planned for you, all you have to do show up ready to learn and explore.

During my time in London I interned at Matter Of Form, a luxury brand, design and eCommerce agency. The agency worked for clients such as, Breitling, Knight Frank and Estée Lauder. Having an internship abroad taught me about a global workplace. I was able to develop as a professional while also learning how offices in London differed from that of the U.S. The contacts and skills I gained have given me further insight into the career I wish to pursue after graduation. I would work every Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 to 5:30, which allowed me to commute like a local and really understand what it was like to work in London. My coworkers were able to give me travel recommendation and places in London to further explore. Mater Of Form, had a great office environment, and would often attend agency events during and after work.

I loved my time in London thanks to Syracuse London!

Olivia Ly ’21

Syracuse London

My journey to Sydney

I’m Ruby, class of 2021 studying Information Management & Technology and Environment & Society. Unlike many people studying abroad, my final destination was not my first choice. In fact, it wasn’t even my second choice.

In the spring of 2019, when I began thinking about studying abroad, I deliberated for a long time on where I wanted to go. I was ahead on credits and had saved my general requirements with the intention to take them while abroad. Thus, I had the luxury, and the burden, of picking between all of the location options Syracuse had to offer. After countless visits to the abroad office, making numerous pro/con lists, multiple conversations with my parents, and extensive YouTube research, I decided to go to Hong Kong. I picked my destination by first deciding what I wanted to get out of a semester abroad. I knew I wanted to experience a country with a rich history and culture, a modern cosmopolitan city center, good food, and an easy access to the natural landscape. However, I still wanted to go abroad through a Syracuse program to have the comfort of, with luck, knowing a few classmates.

A few months later, the political unrest in Hong Kong reached a level where the Syracuse staff in Hong Kong determined that it would be unwise to send students to study there. I was heartbroken. I had spent past few months reading about Hong Kong, talking to Syracuse Hong Kong alumni, and I was getting really excited to go. I also was a little stressed out, as this cancellation left me scrambling to find a new place to go. After a few more meetings in the abroad office, and even more deliberation, I decided to go to Shanghai. I felt that going to mainland China would be the closest thing to going Hong Kong, and I still held out hope that I would be able to at least visit Hong Kong. I was able to jump back into research and build up the same enthusiasm for my new destination.

Preparing to go abroad to Shanghai took a lot more preparation, as this program would be through a third-party abroad program, called CIEE. Details such as course enrollment, flights, and housing applications took more planning and paperwork, but of course the Syracuse abroad office and my contact at CIEE helped me through the process. Soon had a whole new schedule, a place to live, a roommate, acceptance at East China Normal University, and my second visa.

However, no sooner than I got my visa in the mail, I received an email with notification that my semester in Shanghai had been cancelled as well. The COVID-19 outbreak had been slowly creeping from Wuhan toward Shanghai. (I had been growing increasingly dubious that the Shanghai program would go on as planned.) This time around, I was less crushed, as I had already gone through this once before. At this point it was already January, and if I wanted to study abroad at all, I’d have to get back to work quickly. By some miracle, the Syracuse abroad office was able to pull some last-minute strings and secure me a spot at the University of Sydney for the upcoming semester. I had about two weeks to abandon all of my plans for Shanghai and prepare to go to Australia. Like CIEE, the University of Sydney program was a World Partner, so while I had the help of the Syracuse Abroad office, I was responsible for details like finding my own housing, applying for my classes and getting credit transferred, ensuring any financial aid would carry over, and getting a Visa. After a very frenzied few weeks, I was on a plane to Australia.

After all of this, I felt very fortunate to even be getting to go abroad. I had spent months going through the emotional ups and downs of anticipation, excitement, and disappointment. However, looking back, I would not change anything about this process; all of the stress and planning, made me value my time abroad that much more. While I could have done without filing for three separate Visas, I truly spent every day in Australia just happy to be there.

I can’t help but feel that, in some way, the cancellation of the Hong Kong and Shanghai programs led to a fateful chain of events that led me to experience life abroad in a country in which I would never have chosen to study. Through this, I learned that above all, when making plans — whether it’s before you go abroad, or while you’re there —you can’t get hung up on last minute adjustments. Especially when living and traveling in a new country, unexpected turns of events are unavoidable. You truly learn to quickly adapt, and keep an optimistic attitude. Most importantly, I learned that when studying abroad, you relinquish some degree of control of your plans. You are living in a new country, that has complex social, political, and economic on goings larger than your personal plans; to some extent, you are at the mercy of the climate in which you are entering. I believe that one of the most important things to understand before going abroad is that you are a guest in a real, dynamic country, not an idealized version of a place you see on travel blogs.

In the end, my time in Australia was cut short due to the spread of COVID-19. I was definitely disappointed to leave, but I also was thankful that I even got to experience two months in such a beautiful country. While I was initially indignant about leaving, I found that my difficulty in even going abroad, and the constant threat of being sent home gave me a silver lining: I learned to savor each day as if it were my last. Looking back, I can’t think of any two days where I did the exact same thing. I spent my last week in Australia so busy checking things off of my bucket list, I didn’t even have time to lament the early ending to my semester there. While I hope others don’t have to go through as many obstacles to even go abroad, I think the testament rings true that studying abroad is such a privilege, to not take advantage of every day would be a disservice to the opportunity. When you are living in a new country, your world is much bigger, and you are victim to unforeseeable circumstances like political unrest, or a virus. The only thing you are in control of is making the most of each day there.

Ruby Isley ’21

World Partner University of Sydney

iSchool/Maxwell