Study Abroad Short-Term Programs on the Rise

Short-term Study Abroad programs are back! After a slow period due to the pandemic, the Spring and Summer of 2024 were busy for the Office of International Education.

During the first half of the year, students and faculty from three St. John’s Schools and Colleges traveled to seven countries. The University had nine active programs; whether new or returning, each offered a specialized curriculum and unique experiences.

The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies ran three first-time programs to St. John’s University locations during spring break. The Rome, Italy, location welcomed the Cybersecurity in a Global Context program codirected by Suzanna Schmeelk, Ed.D., DPS, and Denise M. Dragos, as well as Forensic Psychology led by Marina Sorochinski, Ph.D.

At the same time, Professor Sharon Y. Yamen, J.D., conducted the Trial Practice program at the St. John’s University Paris, France, location. The programs were a success and are expected to run again in Spring 2025 and 2026.

Many other study-abroad programs re-embarked throughout the world. St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences contributed several programs from a variety of academic departments. Language Development in Salamanca, Spain, with Max R. Freeman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, and Management of Pediatric Dysphagia in Guatemala with Nancy Colodny, Ph.D., are both thriving programs that returned for another consecutive iteration.

The English and Languages departments were excited to see the return of two programs that had not run since before the pandemic. Raj Chetty, Ph.D., and Lequez Spearman, Ph.D., connected to lead the Baseball, Black Culture, and Literature program in the Dominican Republic in late February, while Professor Athanasia Biska directed the Modern Greece program in May.

These outstanding programs were traditional embedded courses in which students attend class at the Queens, NY, campus from January to May and traveled together as a cohort during or at the end of the semester. Various models of short-term programs were also created to accommodate specific student populations. Katherine C. Aquino, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Administrative and Instructional Leadership, The School of Education, directed the inaugural Global Studies and Distance Learning in Higher Education program for doctoral students to St. John’s Rome location during the summer.

The hybrid course met in person and virtually, and then the students spent one week abroad. Lastly, the Ozanam Scholars program continued its longstanding Anthropological Fieldwork in Global Sustainable Development program to Ecuador, a stand-alone course led by Adjunct Professor Pablo J. Sanchez.  

In addition to outbound programs for St. John’s University students, the Office of International Education welcomed students from two different continents to give them a taste of New York City culture and develop their English language skills at the English Language Institute.

For the third year, the University hosted 20 Chilean high school students for a week while they practiced their speaking skills and traveled to major landmarks in New York City and Washington, DC. 

For almost the entire month of August, 10 students from Kokushikan University in Japan participated in language classes and trips around the city, learning more of what it means to be a New Yorker. They gave St. John’s students an opportunity to get to know them during weekly conversation sessions.

The breadth and depth of short-term program offerings continues to grow, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences and ideas for future study abroad opportunities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dennis Cuadros is the Assistant Director of Short-Term Programs in the Office of International Education. He has worked in education for 12 years and taught mathematics in community college and high school around New York City before arriving at St. John’s University.