The magazine for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at
Iowa State University

Around the world in . . . one semester

Each year, students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences gain a different perspective of the world by immersing themselves in new languages, cultures and lifestyles through study abroad opportunities.

From Paris to Sydney, these experiences are not only personally and educationally enriching, they prepare students to make a meaningful global impact in their future careers.

“My study abroad experience is something that I will never forget. My photos are important reminders of the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met and the cultures by which I have been charmed,” Megan Gilbert (’18 journalism and mass communication, French) said.

How these students put their adventure into action will make an impact for a lifetime.

Haley Bailey (’18 political science and criminal justice) has studied in Europe twice. She said her conversations with locals have made an impact on her view of the world.

“Studying abroad has prepared me to make a global impact because I have a much better understanding of the world. I know first-hand what the culture is like, what the people are like, what the communities are like. I would never know these things if I wouldn't have studied abroad,” she said.

LAS is committed to providing all students with the opportunity to see the world. The value of an adventure abroad is unmatched, and ensures students obtain the knowledge and skills to become a part of the global community.

Below, students share a glimpse of their one-of-a-kind experiences.

Student Natalie Weidner poses on a bike in front of the Eiffel Tower on a study abroad trip to Paris, France. The metal basket on the front of her bicycle contains a french baguette.
Natalie Weidner (’19 public relations) studied in Paris, France, at the Institut Catholique de Paris. This was taken during a bike ride along the Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower.
(Natalie Weidner.)
Student Matthew Heinrichs reaches his hand out toward a monkey that is seated on a wooden crate. Heinrichs is standing near trees and rocks in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Matthew Heinrichs (’18 French, Spanish and international studies) studied abroad in Morocco. This photo was taken in the Atlas Mountains in Rabat, Morocco.
(Matthew Heinrichs.)
Student Rosita Cansino stands in front of Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) in County Wicklow. The blue lake is surrounded by lush green vegetation.
Rosita Cansino (’18 criminal justice and sociology) took part in the intern abroad program in Dublin, Ireland. This photo was taken at Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) in County Wicklow, Ireland.
(Rosita Cansino.)
Student Rene Chavez leans against a metal railing while posing in front of a historic church in Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain. The sea and the city is in the background.
Rene Chavez (’20 computer science) studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. This photo was taken in Barcelona in Park Guell.
(Rene Chavez.)
Student Paul Hadish stands in a wooded area, staring up at a starry night sky in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Paul Hadish (’18 journalism and mass communication) studied abroad in New Zealand. This photo was taken in Dunedin, New Zealand.
(Paul Hadish.)
Student Nolan Shanks stands in front of the National Historical Building in Vienna, Austria.
Nolan Shanks (’17 history and secondary education) was student teaching in Krosno, Poland. This photo was taken in Vienna, Austria, in front of the National Historical Building.
(Nolan Shanks.)
A student poses on the London Eye with Big Ben in the distance.
Mikaela Blount (’20 statistics and economics) studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland. This photo was taken at the London Eye in London.
(Mikaela Blount.)
A student walks in front of a line of six camels.
Megan Gilbert (’18 journalism and mass communication and French) studied abroad in Morocco. This photo was taken in Merzouga, Morocco.
(Megan Gilbert.)
A student poses by Moroccan architecture.
Maggie O’Brien (’19 psychology and Spanish) studied abroad in Cáceres, Spain. This photo was taken in Marrakech, Morocco.
(Maggie O’Brien.)
A student poses in front of the sea at the Port of Valencia.
Madison Schwenneker ('18 communication studies) studied abroad in Valencia, Spain.
(Madison Schwenneker.)
A student wearing an Iowa State t-shirt looks out at the snowcapped mountains of New Zealand.
This photo was taken in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand. Laurel Baar (’19 statistics) studied at the University of Otago, Dunedin in New Zealand.
(Laurel Baar.)
A student with the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand in the background.
Kim Ferguson (’18 psychology and statistics) studied at Deakin University in Australia. This photo was taken on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand.
(Kim Ferguson.)
A student stands at Arthur
This photo was taken at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland. Kevin Horner (’17 journalism and mass communication) studied at the University of Manchester in England.
(Kevin Horner.)
Student sits next to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This photo was taken at The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, Denmark. Katie McCarville (’19 anthropology and political science) studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden.
(Katie McCarville.)
Student poses by architecture in Valencia, Spain.
Julia Nguyen (’18 biochemistry) studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. This photo was taken in Segovia, Spain.
(Julia Nguyen.)
Student sits on a bridge railing in Florence holding a sign that says "Enjoying my adventure in Florence."
Jenny Long (’19 history) studied abroad in Florence, Italy.
(Jenny Long.)
Student wearing ISU t-shirt stands with arms in the air on the Great Wall of China.
Jenna Sandquist (’18 vocal music and global resource systems) completed a study abroad learning project with Cargill Animal Protein China in Shanghai, China. This photo was taken on the Great Wall of China, Beijing.
(Jenna Sandquist.)
Trees with Eiffel Tower in the background.
Jean-Luc Del Valle (’19 biology) studied abroad in Paris, France. This photo was taken near the Eiffel Tower.
(Jean-Luc Del Valle.)
Student stands in the mountains of Ireland with a lake in the background.
Haley Bailey (’18 political science and criminal justice) took part in the intern abroad program in Dublin, Ireland. This photo was taken at Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) in County Wicklow, Ireland.
(Haley Bailey.)
Student holding Iowa State flag stands on the summit of the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.
Emily Dux (’18 English) studied abroad in Costa Rica. This photo was taken on the summit of the most recent lava flow of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.
(Emily Dux.)
Student hugs a stone column with mountains in the background.
Ellie Clark (’18 psychology) studied abroad in Pompeii, Italy. This photo was taken during an extra trip while studying in Geneva, Switzerland, as a EuroScholar.
(Ellie Clark.)
Student does a cartwheel on the beaches of Costa Rica at sunset.
Evan Isabell (’19 Spanish) studied abroad in Costa Rica. This photo was taken at Beach Brasalito in the province of Guanacaste.
(Evan Isabell.)
Student sits on a stone edge overlooking water with a Swedish palace in the background.
Elizabeth Settles (’18 communication studies) studied abroad in the Leadership Studies Program's Global Leadership course. This photo was taken near the Drottningholm Palace, Sweden.
(Elizabeth Settles.)
Student stands on the beach at Loch Ard Gorge in Australia.
Ashlyn Reicks (’18 public relations) studied abroad in Australia. This photo was taken at Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell, Australia.
(Ashlyn Reicks.)
Student holds a koala at the Australia Zoo.
Allen Shahan (’18 mathematics) studied abroad at Deakin University in Australia. This photo was taken at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland.
(Allen Shahan.)