U of A celebrates International Study Abroad Day
International Study Abroad Day is a celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the profound and lasting impact of studying abroad. It highlights not only how transformative these experiences are for student travelers but also their broader benefits for university campuses and the global community.
Observed annually on the last Monday in February, Study Abroad Day offers a platform for institutions to celebrate the benefits of global engagement. It emphasizes the importance of providing students opportunities to engage with diverse places, people, and cultures. This unified day celebrates Study Abroad on a larger, global scale, showcasing its impact beyond what individual campuses and organizations highlight daily.
Central to this celebration is the belief that studying abroad profoundly shapes students’ academic, personal, and professional growth.
“Studying abroad fosters a deep understanding of cultural diversity, encourages adaptability, and builds essential skills that prepare students to succeed in a globally connected world,” said Vice President for Arizona International and Dean of International Education Dr. Jenny Lee. “These experiences provide students with invaluable opportunities to expand their worldviews, develop leadership qualities, and enhance their ability to work collaboratively across cultures.”
U of A Study Abroad: Opportunities and Campus-wide Support
Committed to providing diverse and accessible international opportunities, Study Abroad offers a wide range of programs, from semester-long study options to short-term international internships. These experiences go beyond traditional classroom learning, incorporating hands-on research, professional internships, and meaningful engagement with host communities. So, this year, the Study Abroad team is using International Study Abroad Day to honor the partnerships, resources, and individuals who make these opportunities possible.
“We are celebrating the collaboration it takes to make these transformative experiences possible,” said Study Abroad Executive Director Harmony DeFazio. “Our study abroad coordinators not only guide students in aligning their international experiences with their academic and career goals, but they also work closely with campus partners who play an essential role in supporting every step of a student’s journey abroad.”
One integral partner in shaping successful study abroad experiences is the academic advising community. “Academic advising is a great place to introduce study abroad as a potential activity for the undergraduate experience,” Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Advising Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski said. “Through conversations with an advisor, the student learns that this is a possibility, how to connect courses to the overall degree requirements, and possible resources to support success.”
The success of study abroad programs at the U of A also depends on the collective efforts of faculty and staff, whose guidance and support are important to every stage of the student journey. “Faculty and staff are invaluable partners in making study abroad a reality for our students,” said DeFazio. “They inspire students to think globally, guide them in connecting international experiences to their academic goals, and provide the foundational support needed to navigate the complexities of studying abroad.”
The Study Abroad team sent handwritten "Happy Study Abroad Day" cards to faculty, advisors, and staff who have contributed to the success of study abroad programs.
As part of the Study Abroad Day celebrations, the Study Abroad team is honoring the role of campus partnerships by sending handwritten "Happy Study Abroad Day" cards to faculty, advisors, and staff who have contributed to the success of study abroad programs. This includes U of A staff who aren’t student-facing but whose work has directly contributed to creating and maintaining successful study abroad programs. Throughout campus, staff members in offices like risk management, procurement, and UITS, to name a few, do critical behind-the-scenes work that is unseen but not unappreciated.
“Our operations are truly not possible without the help of our campus colleagues across the University of Arizona,” said Curriculum Integration Manager Mariah Nunes. “From helping students plan their degree requirements to administrative processes like transcript reviews, campus partners are essential in making these experiences accessible.”
These handwritten cards serve as more than just a gesture of appreciation; they represent the collaborative effort it takes to provide students with transformative global experiences. “It’s important to take a moment to let our colleagues know their efforts are seen and appreciated. Study abroad is a team effort, and we are so thankful for the enthusiasm and support of everyone who helps make it possible,” Nunes said.