This commentary is by Bill Falls, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont.
After recently returning from a trip to Mexico City, I’ve been reflecting on how profoundly global experiences can expand one’s understanding of the world.
Mexico City, with its vibrant, dynamic and multicultural atmosphere, lies at the crossroads of deep historical traditions and modern global influences. My time in this remarkable city reinforced for me the irreplaceable value of global experiences within a liberal arts education.
A liberal arts education prioritizes critical thinking, ethical reasoning, empathy and the skills needed to engage with and learn from diverse cultures and perspectives. Global experiences immerse students in different cultural contexts, encouraging them to think critically and see the world through multiple lenses. These experiences foster a deeper understanding of global issues that cross national boundaries while also cultivating a sense of responsibility and awareness, all of which helps students become more fully engaged citizens of the world.
For decades, the University of Vermont’s College of Arts and Sciences has offered students this global perspective through rich and varied classroom experiences. Our major in global and regional studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to examining cultural, political, economic, environmental and social issues that are at play throughout the world.
Our school of world languages and cultures offers seven foreign languages, with study focusing not just on language learning, but also on linguistics and the literature and cultures of the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In addition to these majors and minors, we offer many dozens of courses in the humanities, arts and social sciences that explore the histories, cultures, and politics of countries and regions across the globe.
Recently, the university recognized the importance of providing all UVM students with global perspectives by introducing two core global citizenship course requirements as part of our catamount core general education program: a global systems course that explores a global phenomenon from a cultural, political, economic, ecological, artistic or technological perspective; and a global citizenship course that helps our undergraduates develop the skills necessary to participate effectively as a citizen in local communities and the world at large.
While globally focused coursework is a cornerstone of a UVM education, the impact of visiting and studying in another country cannot be overstated. Being in an unfamiliar place — especially one in which English is not regularly spoken — forces students to adapt and navigate their environment in new ways that reinforce critical thinking, ethical reasoning and empathy. That’s why the College of Arts and Sciences, under the leadership of Associate Dean Paul Deslandes, offers students a variety of international travel study experiences, from dayslong, faculty-led travel to the traditional semester abroad.
These global travel study experiences are available to students throughout their time at UVM, beginning even before they arrive on campus. Interim President Patty Prelock introduced UVM Go, a pre-orientation program for incoming first-year students that focuses on global learning, the development of intercultural knowledge and skills, and community building.
This fall, for example, College of Arts and Sciences faculty members led UVM Go programs to Costa Rica, Iceland and Canada. Each one provided immersive cultural experiences and the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the country, all while effectively communicating UVM’s emphasis on globally focused education. In 2025, we will expand these offerings to include a program in London.
UVM has also invested in offering students faculty led, weekslong travel study experiences. These experiences, offered during the winter, spring and summer breaks, have taken students to England to explore history and literature, Brazil to explore the history of Brazilian music and dance, and Ecuador to explore the ecology of the high Andes.
This year, the College of Arts and Sciences will add travel study courses to France to explore modern art, Rome to explore ancient history and culture, and Germany and Poland to explore the memories and aesthetics of the Holocaust. Importantly, these travel study programs are not tourism but opportunities to broaden and enrich students’ educations through immersive academic experiences.
Of course, we provide our students with plenty of opportunities for traditional, semester-long travel study experiences. In addition to supporting students who enroll in one of the dozens of semester-long programs offered through other universities, UVM has partnered with top universities in Ireland, New Zealand and South Korea to offer students a cohort-based immersive cultural experience where a cohort of UVM students live and learn among students from the host countries as well as many others from around the world.
Most students return from studying abroad forever changed, having acquired along the way countless wonder-filled experiences, lasting relationships within their host communities and a deep love and appreciation for their host countries.
Because we believe that global experiences are critical to a liberal arts education, we are also committed to ensuring that these experiences are financially accessible to all students. The university offers need-based scholarships for students wishing to participate in UVM Go. We are also working with the UVM Foundation to raise money to help defray the cost of the weekslong travel study programs. In addition, students enrolling in our signature programs in Ireland, New Zealand and South Korea can use their UVM scholarships and federal aid to study abroad.
By prioritizing global experiences, UVM and the College of Arts and Sciences not only enhance their curriculum, but also provide students with the skills and perspectives necessary to thrive. These opportunities go beyond the realm of the academic, fostering personal growth, cultural exchange and a lasting commitment to global citizenship. As the world continues to become more interconnected, it’s clear that a liberal arts education enriched with global experiences is essential to preparing students for future success.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Bill Falls: The importance of travel study in creating global citizens.