A Record Number of Whitties Studied Off-Campus in Spring 2024

A record-breaking 124 Whitman College students studied abroad in 36 countries during the Spring 2024 semester. In total, 37% of the Class of 2025 studied abroad at least one semester during their junior year—and that number is on track to rise to 43% for the Class of 2026—bringing participation in Off-Campus Studies programs back to pre-pandemic levels. 

“Studying abroad or off-campus in a U.S.-based partner program gives students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a new language, culture and community and to grapple with genuinely different points of view and social norms,” says Senior Director of Off-Campus Studies and International Student and Scholar Services Susan Holme. “This, in turn, often strengthens a student’s ability to think on their feet, creatively problem solve, feel empathy towards other perspectives, and better understand global interconnectedness, particularly the U.S.’s (or their home country’s) role in geopolitics.”

For many students, however, it’s the journey of self-discovery that is most meaningful. “By immersing oneself in a completely new society and cultural community, students often see their own strengths, values and preferences in a new light, helping to solidify their future personal goals and professional path,” Holmes says.

We spoke with five Whitman seniors who took their studies last year around the globe—and brought lasting memories, meaningful connections and new experiences back with them to Walla Walla and Whitman.

AUSTRALIA

Carsten Wallace-Bailey ’25

Studying psychology at the University of Melbourne, Carsten Wallace-Bailey was thousands of miles away from everything he’d ever known, which ended up creating new opportunities for self-discovery.

“Something I wasn't anticipating … was learning how to spend time with just myself,” says the Psychology and Film and Media Studies major. “Since I had much more free time and knew fewer people than I did back home, I found myself finding things to do on my own, like going for walks, riding the train for fun, and going to museums solo when my friends were busy. Going off-campus got me out of my routine and comfort zone and helped me learn how to be by myself since I couldn't surround myself with others all the time like I did back home.”

Learn more about the IFSA: University of Melbourne Partnership.

ENGLAND

Eliza Daigle ’25

The Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMB) major at Whitman is notoriously rewarding—and challenging. For Eliza Daigle, the challenge opened the door for rigorous study abroad as part of the competitive IFSA University of Oxford Partnership, which hosted a record five Whitman students during the spring of 2024.

“I love the BBMB program at Whitman because it allows me to study several areas of science and bring them together,” Daigle says. “Studying at Teddy Hall complemented this broad learning very nicely because I got to dive deeper into a few subjects that really interest me, specifically immunology.”

Learn more about the IFSA: University of Oxford Partnership.

IRELAND

Meron Semere ’25

On weekends and holidays away from University College Dublin, Economics and Computer Science major Meron Semere traveled around Western Europe and discovered a lot about her resilience along the way.

“While abroad, you’re out on your own, and that can be scary at times, whether it is getting lost on the metro or being denied entry into the border at the airport,” Semere says. “Even though your friends and family are multiple time zones away, you grow so much, becoming more independent, learning so much about yourself and experiencing life in a new environment.”

Learn more about the IFSA: University College Dublin Partnership.

NEPAL

Gigi Peterson ’25

Politics and Ethics and Society major Gigi Peterson’s off-campus studies took her off the beaten path and allowed her to examine familiar topics like gender relations and economic realities in new and varied contexts. In a blog post from her first month in Nepal, she wrote about her time staying at the campus of an India-based women’s organization called Jagori—and how inspiring she found their work.

“I’ve felt very hopeful and excited about the work the people at the organization have been doing for intersectionality within feminism; integrating class dynamics within villages, environmentalism, and providing actually applicable and attainable modes of ‘empowerment’ (a word we discussed as needing lots of nuance) for Himalayan women (such as low-cost, high-yield mushroom farming).”

Learn more about the SIT: Nepal Development, Gender, and Social Change in the Himalaya program.

PANAMA

Chiara Bachmann Gómez ’25

For many Whitties, the chance to study off-campus represents an opportunity to do research in a completely different context. Biology-Environmental Studies major Chiara Bachmann Gómez took that chance and ran with it. She chose to study in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama, studying the unique environmental challenges there.

“Going abroad while you are a Whitman student is easy. It is one of the best ways to explore somewhere outside of the U.S. without having to worry too much about planning,” Bachmann Gómez says. “It is also a unique experience to add to your education and to focus on a program that is more directed to what you want to do after college.”

Learn more about the SFS: Panama Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies program.

Learning Across & Beyond Borders

Studying off campus is an unforgettable part of many Whitman students’ college experience, and it is undeniable that off-campus studies provide amazing benefits. To explore your Off-Campus Studies options, Whitman’s advising by major website is a good place to start.

Read more student stories from around the world.