For some students, this was their first time out of the country; for a few, it might have been their first flight.听

Traveling abroad stretches us and changes our perspective. Being from a country where a 200-year-old building is considered ancient and exploring a thousand-year-old cathedral, for example. Learning how to get around using public transportation鈥攖aking the bus, train or the Metro (subway). Or getting close to a glacier. Perhaps walking through a rainforest and seeing animals that up to now were only seen in a zoo. Or tasting different foods. And all the time you鈥檙e making memories as you get to know other AU students for the first time.听

AU Abroad is the centerpiece of a full-semester, 3 credit course offering opportunities to travel internationally with 91福利社 faculty and classmates while engaging in meaningful intercultural learning experiences.听听

This year, students traveled to England, France, Iceland, the Netherlands and Panama.听

Travel is coordinated through the 91福利社 Center for Global Engagement, which helps students explore opportunities for educational travel abroad that enhance their worldview.Altogether the center offers more than 70 Study Abroad programs.听

England听

A group led by Professors Cara Wood and Jessica Johnson retraced the steps of William Shakespeare, attending a play at the Globe Theatre and touring Stratford-Upon-Avon. They also explored the history and culture of London, seeing Buckingham Palace, St. Paul鈥檚 Cathedral, the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, watching the Changing of the Guard and visiting nearby Windsor Castle. They even took in “Paddington The Musical鈥� at London鈥檚 fabled Savoy Theatre.听

鈥淚 enjoyed being able to watch West End shows that inspired me in my current career path and my major,鈥� said Alexandra Norton, a musical theatre major and dance minor who was on her second AU Abroad trip. Last year Norton went to Germany and Austria.听

鈥�I have been blessed to go to London three times with 91福利社 students. Each time was a wonderful experience,鈥� Wood said.听

鈥�It amazed me how there were such old sites in the middle of modern areas,鈥� said Elizabeth Bailey, a 3D studies major and photography minor. 鈥淭he architecture and art of London is amazing.鈥�听

鈥�When you travel outside of the country, it is an experience like no other that I believe everyone should have,” Norton added. 鈥淪ome of my fondest memories of Anderson will be from studying abroad and the new confidence it has given me.鈥�听

France听

Professor Karry Elson of the 91福利社 Center for Cybersecurity led a trip to France where students toured Paris landmarks that included the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower and alsovisits to nearby French towns.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a humbling experience to see all this history that so goes back听much further than we did,鈥� said Thomas Cain, a cybersecurity major. Visiting an acquantance of Professor Elson who lives in Limoges, Cain was impressed by how they lived in the same family home that went back for more than a dozen generations.听

Memorable for Amelia Sprawls, a political science major, was visiting Oradour-sur-Glane, which memorializes the townspeople Nazis massacred there during World War II.听听

鈥淎s someone who’s really interested in history… Just seeing those things鈥攏ot just reading them in textbooks鈥攚as really valuable for me. Just being with our whole group there in silence for two hours and just hearing about the history there was truly eye opening,鈥� Sprawls said, adding, 鈥�Going on the trip… honestly, I think it served me well because not only seeing a new country, seeing new people for the first time, I got to make some new friendships… that was very beneficial for me. And now that I see some of those students back on campus, it’s really nice to make those new connections here at Anderson, too.鈥�听

A memory that Olivia Clark, a neuroscience major, will cherish, happened atop the Eiffel Tower. As they were taking in views of Paris, a rainbow appeared over the city. Clark added that she adjusted to modes of transportation different from what she was accustomed to.听听

鈥淚t’s overwhelming at first, kind of a culture shock,” Clark said. 鈥淵ou get off the plane, onto the train, and everyone’s packed in, not a lot of personal space. But also, everyone was really nice. I think that was a nice surprise.鈥�听

Iceland听

Professors Jer Nelsen and Luke Anspach of the South Carolina School of the Arts explored Iceland鈥檚 geology, history, architecture, art, literature and culture. Their itinerary included a glacier hike on S贸lheimaj枚kull with crampons and ice axes, visits to J枚kuls谩rl贸n glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, 脼ingvellir National Park, the geothermal sites of the Golden Circle, Reynisfjarablack sand beach, Hallgr铆mskirkja and Harpa in Reykjav铆k, the Viking World Museum, the Snorri Sturluson homestead at Snorrastofa, and the Reykjanes Peninsula. Students also experienced the Northern Lights and had time for exploration of Reykjav铆k, the capital.听

Throughout the trip, students used a field guide designed by the professors to record observations and reflections, building a framework for understanding what they were seeing in real time.听

鈥淚t’s really cool to be up there just on the giant pack of ice and seeing the expanse of the mountains below and very unique,鈥� said Heidi Dillow, a graphic design major. 鈥�I think main highlights of the trip, were very just getting the chance to spend so much time outside in creation… Also, it allowed me to learn a lot about myself and like how I go about forming relationships, how I go about talking about things that I’m processing or learning through creation and through what God has to say to me.鈥�听

The Netherlands听

Students led by Drs. Kim Whitehead and John Frazier of the 91福利社 College of Business toured the Netherlands, learning about its rich maritime trade history and unique culture,as well as its ages-old experience of protecting land from flooding by the sea. They explored Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the unique Dutch countryside. Standing among the centuries-old windmills, Dr. Whitehead recalled, it was impossible not to reflect on the beauty and ingenuity found in God鈥檚 creation and human creativity.听

鈥�I’d always found the time period of when the Dutch were such a global trading power, the Dutch East India Company, very interesting. So it was neat to me to see where these events took place and then also seeing the effects of World War 2,鈥� said Jane Taylor, a mathematics major. 鈥�I think being immersed in the culture and going into stores and into restaurants were really special. On a day off that we had as a group, we got to go into a small town called Utrecht. It was really neat being in a not-so-touristy town and to see the culture there and see how welcoming everyone was.鈥�听

While there, they also had dinner with Anderson College of Business and Economics alumna Danielle Atkinson Johnson, who lives and works as an accountant in Amsterdam.听

Panama听

Dr. Joni Criswell, Oscar Gonzalez and Carrie Koenigstein of the College of Arts and Sciences led a group that explored rainforest ecosystems in Panama, visited an indigenous communityand took a boat ride on Gatun Lake, passing ships making their way throudh the Panama Canal.听

According to Dr. Criswell, visiting the Ember谩 Ella Puru Indigenous Community was one of the most memorable experiences, highlighted by a traditional welcome. The group gained insight into how the Ember谩 people balance cultural preservation with economic survival through ecotourism. This visit provided critical perspective on indigenous land rights, cultural tourism, and the complex relationship between conservation and indigenous sovereignty.听听

The group also learned about Panama鈥檚 pre-Columbian history at the El Ca帽o Archaeological Site, an active dig where archaeological research is ongoing.听

Witnessing more recent history, they watched as massive ships passed through the more than century old canal that joins the Atlantic and Pacific, while learning about the human and environmental costs of this twentieth-century engineering marvel.听听

They also spent several days exploring marine ecosystems in the rural coastal Pedasi Province. At Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge and Isla Canas Wildlife Refuge, they snorkeled at one of the Gulf of Panama鈥檚 largest coral reefs, observing the marine biodiversity, which included tropical fish. They also saw free-roaming iguanas and a horde of hermit crabs. They also explored unique volcanic coastal formations, including black sand beaches.听听

Panama was graphic design major Bailey Perritte鈥檚 first time leaving the country鈥攁n experience made especially meaningful by going off the tourist track.听

鈥淎s a design student, the art culture was unbeatable and in our free time we found a branding experience museum that shows how local products were made,” Perritte said. 鈥淭he people we met and things we saw were life changing and it would not have been possible without AU Abroad. God created so much for us to see, and this trip just allowed me to see another side of His great design.鈥�听

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Additional Travel听

In addition to AU Abroad trips, there was a mission trip to London co-led by Associate Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students Dr. Jonathan Gropp and Assistant Director of Campus Ministries Kaitlyn Jenkins.听听

Music Professor Derick Cordoba led a trip where the Jazz Fusion Ensemble from the South Carolina School of the Arts traveled to Vienna to perform at an exclusive, invitation-only music conference.听

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Reflections听听

Students shared some of what they learned when they returned.听

鈥�I think it’s good to get out of what we are so comfortable with in the U.S.,鈥� said Olivia Clark, a cybersecurity major who traveled to France. 鈥淚 think we take a lot of things for granted here… Just to see how people live and what their day-to-day life looks like and trying their food… public transport and all of that鈥攊t shows you how big the world is.鈥�听

Jane Taylor, a mathematics major who went to the Netherlands, said, 鈥淛ust being able to walk around the city, seeing the big buildings and the beautiful architecture, was astounding. Youcan’t experience that fully by screen. You can’t experience the size and the smells and the sounds that you would experience by walking through the streets.鈥�听

Heidi Dillow, a graphic design major who traveled to Iceland, said, 鈥淧utting boots on the ground and being in a space where you can actually experience something is a whole lot different than just reading about it, especially in a context where nature and the environment is such a large part of the culture,鈥澨�听

John-Luke Grob, who also traveled to Iceland, said, 鈥淚t opens up your understanding of what the human race is, but also for Iceland specifically, the overwhelming and sublime,mountainscapes, waterfalls, beaches, valleys and cliffs, there again remind me how small I am in this world. Looking up at the stars and Northern Lights reminds me even more about how small I am within the grand cosmos of the universe. Yet through all that, God knows me perfectly. He cares for me, despite being this small, insignificant speck in the universe.鈥�听

Dr. Whitehead said, 鈥淭ravel has a way of turning learning into something unforgettable. Watching our students take it all in鈥攖he landscape, the history, the conversations, and the wonder of it all鈥攚as a great reminder of why experiences like this matter so much.鈥�听

鈥�There are so many different things that you gain from going out of the country鈥攇etting to taste new food, having conversations with people that are from these countries, seeing all of these things in real life, getting to smell how the rainforest smells or how the food smells at an authentic restaurant,” said Jalyn Jeanes. 鈥淭he experiences themselves shape you.鈥�听

The 91福利社 Center for Global Engagement听

91福利社 offers a broad array of study abroad programs including summer, semester, and short-term options. Students can explore their options by contacting a study abroad advisor for assistance. With more than 70 programs available across 25 countries, the Center for Global Engagement continues to make international education an accessible part of an 91福利社 degree. Details about AU Abroad can be found online here.听听

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Fulbright is the flagship international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government in partnership with nations around the world.听听

Overall, the Fulbright Program awards approximately 9,000 merit-based scholarships in the United States and more than 160 countries every year to accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds and fields. Fulbrighters study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.听听

For the past several years, 91福利社 has focused on increasing the number of students who apply for a Fulbright Scholarship.听听

Among the applicants is Paris Freeman, a senior biochemistry major. Having been involved with the 91福利社 Center for Cancer Research, Freeman set a goal to pursue more research opportunities and also to become an oncologist. She is looking into a master鈥檚 in cancer biology program offered through the Imperial College of London.听

鈥�I think the main ways it would benefit me personally would be to not only have grown my knowledge base through the research project and through those courses that are available, but also forming more worldwide connections,鈥� Freeman said, adding that the research component would benefit her as she makes plans to further her doctoral studies.听听

William McArtor-Cline, a double major in biology and biochemistry, also has his sights set on studying in the UK. Previous travels to Panama with the AU Abroad program and a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic while in high school inspired him to pursue more study abroad opportunities.听

McArtor-Cline applied for the open award to potentially go to the University of Bath. He eventually wants to enter a Ph.D. program in the UK.听听

鈥�The Fulbright really stood out to me,” he said. “Looking at the Fulbright, not only is it an opportunity to address some of the financial concerns, but it also gives you the opportunity to search out a community and make a place for yourself that is more like home, even though you’re in a place that you’ve never been.鈥�听

Mary Green, a senior majoring in elementary and early childhood education, is applying for an English teaching assistant position in Moldova, where she hopes to help students grow in their English vocabulary and using conversational English. She would also give presentations to familiarize Moldovan students with various aspects of American culture.听

Green, who previously had traveled to Poland and Romania, was drawn to apply for the Fulbright because of their strong emphasis on cultural connections and on finding ways to bridge gaps between American culture and other cultures offering positive ways to learn and grow together.听

鈥�I feel it aligns with my values as an educator…. having experience internationally, working directly with students will be great for professional growth,鈥� Green said.听 鈥淚 feel it fits my values of servant leadership.鈥�听

Luanne Plemmons, a senior majoring in computer engineering, originally considered a healthcare career, but found she could study engineering and make meaningful contributions to healthy living.听

鈥�I’m hoping to do a master of science in artificial intelligence specifically focused on the heart disease research that I was doing,鈥� said Plemmons, who hopes to study in Scotland if she is awarded the scholarship. 鈥淚’m interested in the machine learning aspect of taking data analytics, taking that heart disease data, and then implementing it in a way that predicts whether or not patients are likely to see potential heart disease risk factors in the future.鈥�听

Plemmons sees in the Fulbright program a great way to marry graduate studies with traveling.听

Some of the 2025 Fulbright applicants. From left, Paris Freeman, William McArtor-Cline, Mary Green and Luanne Plemmons.

Making Fulbright Connections听

Dr. Ann-Margaret J. Themistocleous, Director of the Center for Global Engagement, has recently been selected as a Fulbright Specialist from 2025 to 2028. In this capacity, she will provide consultation to universities abroad regarding the development of partnerships with U.S. colleges.听

Faculty Scholars听

Additionally, 91福利社 has had several faculty members receive involving teaching and research abroad, helping to build international connections and share expertise with other countries. These include Professor of Finance and Economics Dr. Kent Saunders (Belarus), Organizational Leadership Professor Dr. Anthony Caito (Brazil), and English Professor Dr. Kolawole Olaiya (Nigeria). Associate Professor of History Dr. Lynneth Miller Renberg is currently conducting research in Norway.听

About the Fulbright Program听听

The Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program provides participants, who represent the breadth of U.S. society and of societies abroad and are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, with the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, pursue professional projects, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international challenges. Grants are available for U.S. citizens to travel abroad and for non-U.S. citizens to come to the U.S. The Fulbright Program is an important element of the United States鈥� bilateral relationships with countries around the world. U.S. and foreign governments jointly set priorities for the exchanges.听听

The 91福利社 Center for Global Engagement has Fulbright Program Advisors available to assist students with their application. Find out more about Fulbright and other available scholarships here. Details about the Fulbright Program can be found at .听

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