Spartans go global

The Breslin Student Events Center hosted the annual Global Exposition for Study Abroad Programs.

A student in a striped sweatshirt stands and talks with someone wearing a viking style helmet

A Michigan State student talks to a member of the music, art and culture study abroad in Bregenz, Austria to get more information. The informational table was set up at the Global Learning Expo at the Breslin Center on Oct. 2, 2024, where students could learn more about studying abroad.

While Michigan State’s campus with the winding Red Cedar River, triumphant Spartan Stadium and adorably outgoing squirrels is a well-loved and comforting scene for many students, there are a plethora of exciting opportunities to explore the world through study abroad programs. In early October, the Breslin Student Events Center hosted the Global Exposition, an event where various study abroad programs from the different colleges at Michigan State advertised their courses.

“I’ve always loved traveling since a young age, but meeting new people through Michigan State that also want to explore the world and see different things has really opened my eyes to a lot,” said Ciara Dalton, a third-year student studying supply chain management. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot outside of the classroom and be able to apply it to a real world setting.”

A student in a white shirt stands behind a table and sign while speaking to another person whose back is to the camera

A member of the Michigan State Chinese program talks to a student who is interested in perusing the program. The table was set up at the Global Learning Expo at the Breslin Center on Oct. 2, 2024, where Michigan State students could learn more about studying abroad.

Dalton is an Education Abroad Student Ambassador for the Broad College of Business. She has participated in two study abroad programs, one to London and Paris and one to Cambodia, and she is planning on participating in a third to Panama.

The study abroad programs featured at the Global Expo have programs that take place during fall or spring semester, winter or spring break or during the summer. These programs have various courses that can potentially fulfill credit for majors, minors or university requirements.

“I was in a smallish city in Japan for about ten weeks and during that time, I took the equivalent of a year’s worth of Japanese courses,” said Ashe Burr, a third-year student studying professional and public writing and Japanese. “One of the things that I really wanted to do at this study abroad was get more confident at casual Japanese.”

While some study abroad programs encourage students to immerse themselves in learning a language, others are focused on other aspects of a location’s environment and culture. Levi Jaroszewicz, a fifth-year student studying zoology, attended a semester-long study abroad program in New Zealand focusing on conservation medicine.

“The friends I was there with and the group of professors that were there with me really supported me and made me realize that I am more capable of enacting the change that I want to make,” Jaroszewicz said.

Students walking down the concourse in the Breslin Center with various international flags hanging from the ceiling

A group of Michigan State students walk down the concourse of the Breslin Center to peruse the many informational tables to learn more about different study abroad trips. The tables were set up for the Global Learning Expo on Oct. 2, 2024.

Study abroad programs allow students to experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Having the opportunity to travel to new places presents a whole new avenue for discovery.

“My favorite part probably by far was near the end of the trip, we went to these things called glow worm caves,” Jaroszewicz said. “So in New Zealand they have these things that are actually fungus gnats, but in the cave, it’s pitch black and you look up, and it’s just this entire night sky and they’re all these bioluminescent grubs.”

Studying abroad introduces students to new places and cultures that they may not have otherwise come in contact with. It gives students greater perspectives on the wider world, which is integral especially as they transition into this next stage of life.

The Global Expo acted as a career fair of sorts for students to discover study abroad programs. While there are other ways to get connected to these programs throughout the year, this exposition provided an easy and accessible way for students to see ways they could expand their education.

The Red Cedar Log is the official yearbook of Michigan State University, established in 1889. The award-winning publication is produced and distributed by students on the RCL staff —students with passions rooted in writing, editing, design, photography and business. Every year, their talents and the stories on MSU’s campus culminate in a collection of Spartan history.

By Delaney Cram, Red Cedar Log, ASMSU