Hope offers more than 300+ programs in over 60 countries for off-campus study. Freiburg, Santiago, Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Seville, Rabat, Paris, Valparaíso, Sydney…. the world is wide open. Interested in learning more?? Contact the Fried Center for Global Engagement or stop by the MMC 109 to meet with the staff or peer advisors. They would love to help!
The Fried Center for Global Engagement aims to integrate the perspective of international students and scholars into the campus community, to provide off-campus study opportunities for all students, and to stimulate conversation of cross cultural and global issues, all of which contribute to the internationalization of Hope’s campus. This tradition of an international campus began with Hope’s first graduating class of 1879, which was one-third Japanese.
Abby Class of 2024
Majors | Theatre and Communications
Program | IES Theater Studies
Location | London, England
Hi! My name is Abigail Doonan. I am a senior double majoring in Communication and Theatre and I will be living in London, England for the semester, taking part in the IES Theater Studies program. I am beyond excited to be studying in a place that has produced wonderful actors and authors- hopefully I will be able to soak in that creative energy while there! I love acting, travelling, storytelling, and learning new things, so this is right up my alley.
I just recently went on the Hawai'i May Term which was the first time travelling without my parents. This was a massive growth experience for me, so I am eager to see how being away for so long impacts my life. I am expecting many trial and error experiences, homesickness, and culture shock, but I know that there will also be highs, so many smiles and laughs, and awesome opportunities. With that being said, I am thrilled to take you along with me on this journey via this blog!
Grace Class of 2025
Majors | Global Studies, Japanese
Minor | Spanish
Program | IES Nagoya Direct Enrollment: Nanzan University
Location | Nagoya, Japan
Hi everyone! My name is Grace and I'll be studying in Nagoya, Japan this fall semester through the IES Nagoya Direct Enrollment program. I'm a junior double majoring in Global Studies and Japanese, with a minor in Spanish.
I have a love for writing, traveling, language learning, and new cultural experiences, all of which I can't wait to enjoy during my time abroad. This will be my second time studying abroad in my life, but my first time studying abroad for an entire semester! I intend the stories I'll share here to reflect my experience- from the challenges to the stunning views and everything in between.
I'm looking forward to embark on this new journey and take you along with me as I share about my time in Japan!
Katherine Class of 2024
Major | Religion
Program | IES Rome - Language and Area Studies
Location | Rome, Italy
Howdy! My name is Katherine Chalmers and I am a Senior at Hope College studying Christian History and Theology. I moved quite a bit growing up but I would say home is St. Louis, Missouri. For the Fall 2023 semester I will be in Rome, Italy. I am excited to embark on a journey to a new location where I will have the chance to make memories, encounter an unfamiliar culture, and learn through experience. My parents went to Rome when my mom was a senior in college so I am over the moon ecstatic to gaze upon the places I have heard stories about. Here's to hope in the wonder and awe to come! A presto Roma!
Molly Class of 2025
Majors | Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Political Science
Program | SIT IHP: Climate Change
Locations | San Francisco, U.S.A.; Morocco; Nepal; Ecuador
Hello, مرحبًا, नमस्कार, and hola!
My name is Molly and I am a junior studying environmental science with a biology focus, environmental studies, and political science here at Hope. These past two years I've gotten involved with Hope Advocates for Sustainability, Green Hope, Food Recovery Network, and the Volunteer Services Committee, and I also enjoy playing piano on the side. If you couldn't tell by now, I love all things nature and have a huge passion for learning to care for our planet.
My program is a bit different from the traditional semester abroad, in that I will be visiting locations on four different continents in less than four months. We'll begin in San Francisco studying environmental justice, then travel to Morocco, Nepal, and Ecuador for about a month each to learn about the threats that communities across the globe are facing from the effects of climate change, as well as how they're working to respond.
I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to be immersed in new cultures, learn more about new places and people (myself included!), and see so much of the great outdoors. It is such a privilege to head out on this journey, and I intend to do my best to keep an open mind, be where my feet are, and embrace spontaneity. From the streets of Rabat to Kapuche Glacier Lake to Galapagos, I hope you'll follow me along!
Hello again! I’m back from Jordan and embarking on another off-campus study adventure, this time (a little) closer to home. I’ve been in Oregon for three weeks now, and so far it’s been really great. In a few pictures, here’s what’s been going on: Cabin Life I live in Cabin 10! I have two awesome …
Anyone who really knows me could tell you about how I can be over the top with my organizational and planning systems (just ask me about how I organize my wardrobe). But no amount of list-making or journaling could have prepared me for the whirlwind change in my life since this semester began. With a …
“Why, for instance, is the ‘wilderness experience’ so often conceived as a form of recreation best enjoyed by those whose class privileges give them the time and resources to leave their jobs behind and ‘get away from it all’? Why does the protection of wilderness so often seen to pit urban recreationists against rural people …
I am moving into my last month of being here, and my program technically ends next week (although I will be here a bit longer). I can’t really fathom the fact that it has been a year since I came here. The best way I can describe it, being here has been like I was …
This post has been collecting dust for two months now (WHAT?!) and the consequence of my procrastination is that instead of finishing it on a train or in a hostel on the continent, I’m next to my little sister on the couch at our home in Saugatuck where the evening breeze tosses the song of …
