By Kaede Takaishi '26

From three-week winter trips to semester-long exchanges, Mount Union students are saying “yes” to study abroad in ways that fit their majors, schedules, and dreams. Through USAC programs and direct exchanges, Purple Raiders are earning credits, strengthening language skills, and stepping far outside their comfort zones. Below, ten students share how saying yes to study abroad has shaped their academics, career goals, confidence, and sense of what’s possible.

Maddalyn Bean ‘28

Major(s)/minor(s): Psychology major and criminal justice minor

Destination: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

Semester: 3 weeks, Winter 2025-26

During a winter-session trip to Australia, Bean turned a long-held travel dream into reality by studying abroad without missing a full semester on campus. Encouraged by friends who had gone the year before, she spent her break checking off bucket list moments like petting kangaroos and koalas at the Australia Zoo and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, experiences she says she would repeat “with no thought about it.” Learning to navigate public transportation in another country was nerve-racking at first, but mastering it quickly became a point of independence and confidence. The short program may have only included two weeks of class, but the bigger lessons were about life: who she wants to be, how she wants to live, and the importance of choosing a career that offers both purpose and the financial freedom to see the world. Her message to other Purple Raiders is simple:

“Step out of your comfort zone and go because you are only young for so long.” Studying abroad is something she would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone considering it."

Madelynne Butzer ‘27

Major(s)/minor(s): Marketing and French double major

Destination: Lyon Catholic University, Lyon, France

Semester: 4 weeks, Summer 2025

Drawn by the chance to experience a new culture and push herself outside her comfort zone, Butzer chose a study abroad program in France that blended language learning, independence, and travel. Some of her favorite memories include celebrating Bastille Day along the river, watching fireworks surrounded by what felt like the entire city, and turning a chaotic weekend of missed trains, late buses, and detours on a trip to Brussels and Geneva into one of the funniest stories of her time abroad. The hardest part was managing homesickness and a six-hour difference from family and friends, but regular FaceTime calls and intentionally filling her days with exploring, new friendships, and local experiences helped her adjust. Using the language in real-world settings boosted her confidence in ways the classroom alone never could and sparked an interest in pursuing global marketing and understanding how marketing connects people across cultures. Her advice to future students who are studying abroad is to:

“’Just go for it,’ even if it feels scary at first, because the mix of challenges and unforgettable moments will shape you long after you return.”

Zachary Lenart ‘27

Major(s)/minor(s): Political science, and international affairs and diplomacy double major and legal studies, and German double minor

Destination: Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany

Semester: Spring 2026 (semester-long)

For Lenart, who is minoring in German, studying abroad in Germany was a natural next step to deepen both language skills and cultural understanding. Living with a host family became a highlight of the experience, as home-cooked traditional meals and everyday conversations offered an authentic window into German life that extended far beyond the classroom. Outside of coursework, weekends and free time were spent exploring cities within and beyond Germany, turning the country and its neighbors into a hands-on learning environment. Balancing an intensive course load with the desire to travel was challenging, but sticking to a strict routine helped him maintain strong grades while still making the most of his time abroad. He says the experience has made him more independent and outgoing, and he encourages other Mount Union students to seize the opportunity if they can.

“It’s an amazing experience they will not regret.”

Estella Woodworth ‘26

Major(s)/minor(s): Media major and business administration minor

Destination: University of Roehampton London, London, England

Semester: 4 weeks, Summer 2025

Drawn to the energy and diversity of a global city, Woodworth chose London to meet new people, step into a completely new environment, and grow beyond her comfort zone. Day trips to Brighton with friends and standing at the top of the white cliffs at Seven Sisters became the kind of memories she now connects with freedom, friendship, and adventure. Learning to navigate trains in a foreign country was intimidating at first, but giving herself extra time, asking for help, and learning from mistakes turned travel stress into independence and confidence. Academically and personally, the experience pushed her to think more independently, adapt to a new learning style, and build communication skills she knows will matter in her future career. Her advice for other Mount Union students is clear:

“If you have the chance to study abroad, take it – because you’re more likely to regret the opportunities you don’t pursue than the ones you do.”

Connie Boller ‘28

Major(s)/minor(s): Civil engineering major and mathematics, physics, environmental science triple minor

Destination: University of County Cork, Cork, Ireland

Semester: 6 weeks, Summer 2025

Ireland had always been at the top of Boller’s list, and a summer in Cork gave her exactly what she was hoping for: life in a larger city, solo travel, and classes focused on Irish history and culture. A solo weekend in the colorful seaside town of Kinsale—hiking to 17^th-century forts, chatting with local shopkeepers, and sharing lunch with a new friend from France—became one of her favorite memories. Another came early in the trip, when she and two new friends took a long, packed weekend to Dublin and Northern Ireland, visiting Giant’s Causeway and the Dark Hedges before catching a late train back and stumbling into class the next morning a little tired but full of stories. Her suitcase didn’t make it to Cork, and she had to rely on what she’d packed in her backpacked and an AirTag to finally track her suitcase down in a parking garage. In the end, she is grateful her classes focused on Irish culture and music rather than engineering, because it helped her to be fully present and become a more well-rounded person. Her advice to other students is to believe in themselves, and:

“Just do it, because there may never be another time when living in another country is so possible.”

Jacob DeDomenic ‘28

Major(s)/minor(s): Finance and marketing double major

Destination: IUSVE: Institute University of Salesiano Venezia, Verona, Italy

Semester: Spring 2026 (semester-long)

For DeDomenic, Verona checked every box: it offered the courses needed for his majors, sat in a central location ideal for travel, and blended modern life with historic charm. Some of his most unforgettable moments came well beyond the classroom, like taking a trip with friends to Cortina to watch the Olympic curling and then unexpectedly getting to attend the Closing Ceremony thanks to an extra ticket from a local friend. Another highlight was traveling to Poland to visit his cousin, where he explored a new country and tried a variety of Polish foods and traditions. The first days abroad were challenging as he adjusted to a new environment and arrived not knowing anyone, but connecting with other students in the program quickly turned strangers into a support system. The experience broadened his vision for the future: instead of only imagining a career in his home state, he now sees himself traveling for work and possibly building an international career. His message for other Mount Union students considering study abroad is enthusiastic.

“Absolutely go, because the people you meet, the memories you make, and the crazy but beautiful experiences are ones you’ll carry for a lifetime."

Rell Smith ‘27

Major(s)/minor(s): Biomedical engineering, physics, and French triple major

Destination: Lyon Catholic University, Lyon, France

Semester: 6 weeks, Spring 2025

As an engineering major with additional French and physics majors on top of it, Smith chose a summer program in Lyon to earn credits toward graduation while fully immersing in a new culture. A spontaneous, budget-friendly weekend trip to Dijon with friends, taking an overnight bus, arriving at their Airbnb at 3 a.m., and squeezing three people onto one couch, are some of her favorite memories because of the laughter and bonds that came from navigating travel together in a new country. At first, public transportation in a foreign language felt intimidating, but meeting up as a group, getting a little lost, and figuring it out together turned the bus system into something they eventually “expertly” navigated. Academically. studying abroad allowed her to stay on track in engineering while earning credits toward French, and she has already seen how global experience stands out on her resume and becomes a natural talking point in interviews. She hopes other STEM students realize that

“Study abroad can fit into rigorous course plans.” She strongly encourages students to take advantage of how accessible Mount Union makes the experience.

Alexis Bricker ‘26

Major(s)/minor(s): Psychology major and autism studies and criminal justice double minor

Destination: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

Semester: 3 weeks, Winter 2025-26

Wanting a study abroad option that fit into her schedule without being away for a full semester, Bricker chose a short-term program in Australia that still offered a powerful mix of travel, learning, and connection. In just a short time, she met people from different countries, learned about cultures very different from her own, and formed friendships she describes as lifelong. One of the biggest challenges was staying in touch with family across a 16-hour time difference, which made it difficult to find overlapping times to talk, but it also helped her practice independence and problem-solving. The experience strengthened her confidence and personal skills that she knows will be important in her future career. Her advice to other Mount Union students is to go for it, even if it’s “just” a short term.

“It’s a life-changing experience you carry forever. Do it scared, do it excited, and embrace the nerves as part of saying yes.”

Key Hackney ‘25

Major(s)/minor(s): Theatre and Japanese double major

Destination: Akita International University, Akita, Japan

Semester: 6 weeks, Summer 2024

Drawn to the small-campus feel and familiar faces from Akita International University (AIU) students who had studied at Mount Union, Hackney chose AIU to explore more of Japan while still feeling at home. From studying in AIU’s impressive library to late-night motivation to learn more about Akita, and spending free time at the nearby shopping mall or cheering on student bands at campus music events, he felt welcomed into a community that quickly began to feel like family. Going alone, while many of his friends chose other universities, made the first days challenging, but reminding himself why he came, staying in touch with family, and “using his noggin” to stay calm and aware helped him adjust to new environment. Academically and personally, the experience deepened his motivation to learn Japanese for more than just pop culture, it gave him a closer connection to the culture and the confidence to make mistakes, knowing teachers and classmates would support him, just like at Mount Union. His advice for other students is to:

“Take deep breaths, keep family updated, stay alert and safe, and fully enjoy the experience.”

William Moyer ‘27

Major(s)/minor(s): Sport business major

Destination: Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany

Semester: 6 weeks, Summer 2025

Inspired by his mother’s life-changing semester at sea, Moyer arrived at Mount Union already determined to study abroad and eventually found the perfect fit in a six-week summer program in Lüneburg, Germany, at Leuphana University. After falling in love with German through language classes and culture lessons on campus, he chose Lüneburg for its history, livability, and the chance to take Intermediate German I and Government Politics in Germany with a native-speaking professor, which deepened both his language skills and understanding of the country. Outside the classroom, he made friends from around the world and committed to doing something every day, from exploring the city and riding the bus to campus to bigger adventures in Berlin, Hamburg, Schwerin, Vienna, to visiting fellow Purple Raider Noel Jaeger ’27 in Goslar and attending a Nations League semifinal soccer match in Stuttgart. Living largely on his own abroad, meeting new people, and saying yes to new experiences became the real “test,” leaving him more independent, well-rounded, and grateful. He encourages other Mount Union students to stay open to opportunities like study abroad because:

“There’s nothing more rewarding than traveling and gaining a broader perspective on your place in the world.”

Whether they spent a few weeks or an entire semester abroad, each of these students came home with more than stamps in a passport; they returned with new confidence, global perspective, and a clearer sense of who they want to be. Their stories echo the same theme: studying abroad isn’t reserved for one type of major, personality, or budget, especially with Mount Union’s flexible programs and support.

Learn how Mount Union's study abroad program can prepare you for success.