Westminster University announced today a new initiative designed to provide every new undergraduate with a no-additional-cost travel experience. Beginning in 2026, Sophomore Study Away will provide all Westminster students with a guided travel experience to their choice of destinations such as Peru, Greece, and the Hopi and Diné Nations–among others–during the fall or spring break of their sophomore year.
Sophomore Study Away is embedded as part of the Westminster curriculum, allowing every student to participate at no additional cost. The program covers airfare, transportation, lodging, meals, and all on-trip costs; the only anticipated cost to students are passport processing fees for students without a passport.
During their second year at Westminster, all undergraduate students will take a semester-long Engaging the World class or Honors College seminar that includes their embedded, study away experience during fall or spring break. Students will travel with their classmates and professors for a guided learning experience and will deeply engage with local host communities.
“Travel expands our horizons, opens our minds to new ways of thinking and engaging with the world, and builds understanding, connection, and empathy–experiences that our students will need to solve the challenges of the future,” said Westminster University President Beth Dobkin. “Every student should have these opportunities as part of a comprehensive education. We’re proud to launch this innovative program to expand student access and contribute to their success.
The Fall 2026 Sophomore Study Away experiences will include:
Global Health in Chinchiná, Colombia
Students will visit clinics and hospitals in this UNESCO Heritage city nestled in
a high Andean valley to learn about public health, including access to healthcare
for vulnerable populations.
Global Stages and Stories in Thessaloniki, Greece
Students will meet with local Greek actors, directors, and set designers, attend performances
and tour outdoor theatres, and take an excursion to Mount Olympus.
Community Justice in Cusco, Peru
Students will learn about traditional villages and community-based economic empowerment,
traditional medicine, women’s rights, and the impacts of colonialism on indigenous
populations.
The Spring 2027 Sophomore Study Away experiences will include:
Intro to Human Communication in Chinchiná, Colombia
Students will visit local NGOs to learn about the political and socio-economic challenges
facing Colombia.
World Music, World Perspectives in Lisbon, Portugal
Students will enjoy a variety of musical and cultural performances, including Portuguese
Fado and other music inspired by Portugal maritime and colonial roots in West African
and South America.
Indigenous Knowledge & Lifeways in the Hopi & Diné Nations
Students will travel to rural Native American communities in southern Utah and northern
Arizona to visit ancestral dwellings such as Wupatki National Monument and White House,
drive through the iconic Monument Valley, meet with indigenous cultural advisors to
learn about their life experiences, traditional stories as well explore social, economic,
environmental, political, and educational perspectives of the Hopi and Diné cultures.
