“Study Away” Opportunities at Luther College, Decorah, IA

This blog contains direct quotes from websites as of 2023. Programs and policies do change, at colleges, from time to time, so please check with the colleges directly to receive any updates. These are not, necessarily, the biggest, best, or most popular programs at the college, but they are the ones that just “caught my eye” as unique, special, interesting, or just plain awesome. They are randomly listed in the blog section of this website. Enjoy!

From the Luther College website, 2023: “Luther ranks among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad —over two-thirds. Ninety percent of Luther students study away, domestically or internationally. A Luther education will not only ground you in this vibrant community but will also launch you into the world.

“Luther makes it easy for students in all majors to study abroad because of the varied course options. For those who can’t take a semester or a year away, there are short-term study away and abroad experiences led by Luther faculty during January Term.

“Luther offers its own study-away programs that take students to many locations throughout the nation and the world and include a wide variety of academic subjects and experiences. Examples include:

Malta and the Mediterranean Semester

Münster, Germany Semester

Nottingham, England Year

Rochester, Minn., Internship Semester

Washington, D.C., Internship Semester

“Luther also offers study-away partner programs through consortium membership and exchange agreements. These programs offer additional off-campus study opportunities both domestically and internationally.”

Here is an article from the Luther website:

Luther College ranked number two nationally for “Most Students Studying Abroad”

March 16, 2023

According to U.S. News and World Report, Luther College is ranked number two in the nation when it comes to the percentage of students who participate in study abroad programs. In 2021, 82% of graduating Luther College seniors reported studying abroad during their undergraduate years.

Luther students recognize the enormous benefits of a study away experience,” said Victoria Christman, director of the Center for Global Learning at Luther. “Global Learning is embedded in the College mission statement, which encourages ‘learning that moves us beyond immediate interests and present knowledge into a larger world.’ We strive to make that possible for everyone by providing Luther College-run programs that offer almost cost-neutral opportunities for experiential learning and global engagement both domestically and internationally. 82% is a great number. I’d love to see us move even higher in the coming years!”

At Luther, many students utilize their January Term (J-Term) to take in-depth courses abroad. On March 5, the Center for Global Learning revealed where students will be studying during J-Term 2024. Courses abroad will take place in England, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico, Malta, Turkey, Germany, New Zealand, Tanzania, South Africa, Spain, Morocco, Taiwan, Honduras, and Costa Rica.

Payton Shockey ’23 recently returned from a J-Term course that traveled to Italy, Germany and France. “Participating in a European Art History course across three unique countries and cultures as a math and management major was an incredible way to round out my time as a student at Luther College,” he said. “I was outside of my element daily, yet at every turn, my curiosity was piqued. Being able to make the world my classroom has shown me there are no bounds to how much we can learn and appreciate.”

Hannah Hoffmann ’23 is a senior international studies major who spent a semester studying in Malta. She says her study abroad experience helped her become a better global citizen. “It gave me a better perspective of how to be a person who gives back to the world. Spending a semester in Malta felt like the culmination and realization of so many goals I’ve had here at Luther which I am so grateful for and is an experience I will treasure forever.”

It gave me a better perspective of how to be a person who gives back to the world. Spending a semester in Malta felt like the culmination and realization of so many goals I’ve had here at Luther which I am so grateful for and is an experience I will treasure forever.---Hannah Hoffmann '23"

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Luther College is one of the colleges featured in my new book (click image for additional information):