At Notre Dame, study abroad programs provide more than an opportunity to experience an environment and culture beyond the United States—they’re a chance to enhance academic interests and studies. Notre Dame Global is excited to say that many of these impactful programs are now open to students who attend other universities as well.
As of last summer, undergraduates enrolled at other US universities are eligible to apply for Notre Dame summer study abroad programs that are operated at ND global locations. This is an especially exciting opportunity for children of Notre Dame faculty and staff, who may use their education benefits towards these programs. The summer education benefit for children of Notre Dame faculty and staff covers up to 3 credits of Notre Dame undergraduate tuition, including for students attending other colleges or universities.
"The summer tuition remission benefit that ND faculty and staff can use for their children is an outstanding opportunity. Two of my children have utilized the benefit to participate in ND Global's London program. The program has simultaneously opened their world and broadened their outlook," says Chuck Hurley, assistant vice president, University registrar, and director of the summer session.
Notre Dame’s presence spans the globe, with physical locations in Beijing, Dublin, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Kylemore, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Nairobi, Rome, Santiago, and São Paulo. Each location boasts specialized tracks that focus on topics such as sustainability studies, engineering, accounting, creative writing, neuroscience and behavior, finance, literature and theology, history, culture, and many more.
Students from other schools are specifically invited to spend a summer studying abroad at one of these 12 global locations, as these programs are especially equipped to offer support through dedicated on-the-ground staff. Whether or not you’re an ND student, you’ll be taken care of as a part of the Notre Dame family. From coordinating airport arrival and departure to organizing excursions throughout the host country and beyond, the Notre Dame Global team is readily available to assist and direct. Additionally, GeoBlue international health insurance and Crisis24 crisis management are included in the program fee, making healthcare easily accessible for students while they’re far from home.
Patrick Fanning, a Tufts University student and son of Notre Dame alum, capitalized on this opportunity and participated in the London Summer Finance of Summer 2024 program.
Reflecting on his experience, Patrick says that he felt “welcomed with open arms into the Notre Dame community” and enjoyed “an experience like no other.” He continues, “The Mendoza School of Business has an unparalleled number of resources to help students engage with the international finance realm. The professors were incredibly passionate about us learning not just the class material, but also about the real-world applications of our lectures, British culture, and how to grow as people.”
When students study abroad at one of Notre Dame’s global locations, their experience goes beyond the classroom. In most cases, the physical program location plays an important role in the curriculum. For example, in London, courses may include visiting museums and art galleries, attending theater performances, or visiting historic sites.
One student shared, “Throughout the course of the two classes I took during the London summer program, I was able to visit St. Paul's Cathedral, the National Gallery, Harry Potter Studios, and much more. These visits were absolutely amazing and allowed me to explore firsthand what I was learning about in class. In another sense, these visits took education out of the textbooks and into the real world.”
Another student who participated in the Santiago summer program expressed a similar sentiment, emphasizing how immersive the program was and how constructive it was to their studies: “I feel very confident in my language skills and ability to connect with other people from around the world. This will be very helpful to me as I pursue a career in medicine, a field that is dedicated to connecting and serving other people with different experiences and life stories.”
Notre Dame’s uniquely specialized programs provide students with an opportunity to dig deeper into their specific areas of study. They enjoy the usual excursions and weekend trips that are essential to cultural immersion, but they are also challenged in and out of the classroom to push themselves academically. For students looking to become more knowledgeable global citizens, Notre Dame’s summer study abroad programs provide an exciting and accessible opportunity.
If you have any questions about summer study abroad programs, please reach out to Morgan Crier, Mcrier@nd.edu, NDG summer programs coordinator and advisor for non-Notre Dame students for more information.
Originally published by at studyabroad.nd.edu on November 11, 2024.