WMU Study Abroad nears pre-Covid levels, faculty-led programs drive participation growth
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Thirty-nine Western Michigan University students will embark on international semester adventures in January, while another 97 plan to travel during the spring semester with their professors. This milestone marks a growing trend at The Haenicke Institute for Global Education, as student participation in study abroad nears pre-Covid levels, partly due to a dramatic increase in faculty-led program offerings, many of which will be on display at the 2025 College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Fair.
Join us Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 11:45 a.m. in the 2nd floor Dunbar Hall lobby or on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 11:45 a.m. in the Wood Hall atrium to learn more. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
The Haenicke Institute currently offers 85 study abroad programs in 30 countries. Most students are traveling to Europe, Asia and Latin America. However, programs span the globe, with offerings in Africa, Oceania, North America and the Middle East, reports Joe Milostan, director of study abroad and international faculty enrichment at the Haenicke Institute.
Year-long and semester programs remain popular, but an increasing number of students are opting for faculty-led programs, which now account for 65% of WMU Study Abroad offerings, Milostan says.
Especially for first-time travelers, these short, faculty-led trips allow students to experience a new place with a trusted teacher. They appeal to students who are working, heavily involved on campus or busy with other social activities and unable to spend an extended time away.
“Faculty-led programs are great options for students because they are easier to fit into students’ busy schedules. These programs typically travel for one to three weeks, as opposed to a full semester abroad,” Milostan says.
“First-time travelers are also drawn to faculty-led programs because they offer more structure. Some students might be nervous or apprehensive about traveling internationally for the first time. Going with a group of WMU students and a WMU professor allows students to engage in these life-changing international experiences together.”
The Numbers
Before the pandemic abruptly halted most international travel, WMU Study Abroad was sending hundreds of students overseas each year. Nearly 660 students traveled for experiential education opportunities abroad in 2018.
However, that number dropped by almost 60% the following year. Only 23 students were participating in WMU Study Abroad programming in 2020, Milostan says.
Steady and significant gains, however, have been seen each year since. More than 460 students participated in WMU Study Abroad last year, and this year’s participation is expected to exceed that amount. Ample scholarship opportunities are available.
“It is an excellent opportunity for our students,” says Dr. Zoann Snyder, associate professor of sociology and the criminal justice studies program director at WMU. Snyder leads the Advanced Criminology in the Netherlands trip.
“Many of the students in my department are unable to afford to spend a semester studying abroad because of financial reasons and family obligations. The short duration of the trip keeps costs down, and the university's scholarships and financial aid make the trip accessible for all students.
“This trip also opens up the world for students who haven't had the opportunity to travel on their own.”
Experiential Learning
WMU senior Reggie Dancy traveled to the Netherlands during Spring Break 2024 with Snyder’s class. It was the first time Dancy, a 21-year-old from Detroit, had left North America.
In the Dutch city of Utrecht, Dancy and his peers delivered a presentation on mental health courts in the United States. They met with students from around the world at HU, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, to explore different approaches to criminal justice.
All criminal justice studies majors at Western must complete three credit hours of experiential learning, explains Snyder. Advanced Criminology in the Netherlands enables students to engage in a comparative study of criminal justice in the U.S. and the Netherlands while earning that credit.
Students learn about how the Dutch influenced the founding of the U.S. legal structure. They also study contemporary criminal justice issues such as cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal immigration, Snyder says.
The students then experience what they have read about by spending a week studying in the Netherlands. They meet with professors and students from all over Europe who are also studying criminal justice.
“Every interaction deepened my understanding of global justice systems," says Dancy, a sociology major who now works for the study abroad office and plans to graduate this spring.
“Moreover, immersing myself in Dutch culture—from savoring local cuisine to embracing everyday life nuances like public transportation and the bustling biking scene in Amsterdam—added a vibrant layer to my experience.”
Travel and Growth
During their one-week stay, students toured historic and iconic landmarks like the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, commonly known as the Peace Palace.
They walked past the Dutch Parliament and even got a wave from then Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Many students also visited the Anne Frank House.
“Studying abroad isn't just about academics; it's about embracing new cultures, broadening horizons and fostering personal growth,” says Dancy.
He has one more study abroad experience planned before graduation. Dancy will participate in the Aviation in France trip, led by WMU Lead Flight Instructor Stephen Hasenick, during Spring Break 2025.
“I highly recommend anyone considering studying abroad to take the leap. The transformative impact it had on my worldview and academic journey is unparalleled.”
About The Haenicke Institute for Global Education
The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western Michigan University community. Its offices assist more than 1,170 international students on campus and nearly 1,000 WMU degree-seeking students studying at partner institutions in China and Taiwan.
The Institute facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff. It also hosts a variety of global learning activities to encourage a more globally engaged Southwest Michigan. These initiatives include designing and promoting scholarship and academic opportunities at WMU; providing outreach to area K-12 schools; hosting lectures, panels and events; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world.
More information at www.wmich.edu/global.
