U of A surpasses 100 Study Abroad Global Tracks, advancing strategic commitment to student success

The University of Arizona has reached a significant milestone: more than 100 Study Abroad Global Tracks are now available to students, reflecting the university’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to global learning experiences, removing curricular barriers, and integrating intercultural education into the academic journeys of students across all disciplines. An accomplishment many years in the making, it marks a foundational commitment to the university's goal of “Success for Every Student,” one of the pillars of its institutional strategic plan, Delivering on Our Promise. By clearly mapping study abroad coursework to degree requirements, Global Tracks empower students to explore the world while staying on track to graduate. This program aligns seamlessly with the university’s broader imperatives to promote inclusive excellence, elevate the student experience, and prepare students for global citizenship in a rapidly changing world.

"Global Tracks have helped transform the way we approach study abroad in our office. Instead of starting with destinations or programs, we begin with the students—their majors, goals, and academic needs,” said Harmony DeFazio, executive director of UA Study Abroad. “Making study abroad accessible to all students is one of our core values, and we achieve that in part through curricular alignment. By ensuring these credit-bearing academic experiences fit seamlessly into degree plans, we make sure they enhance rather than delay graduation. This intentional integration helps students see study abroad not as an optional extra, but as a strategic and transformative part of their education."

At their core, Global Tracks are curated documents that align specific study abroad courses with major requirements at the University of Arizona. Unlike traditional course transfer lists, these guides specify how study abroad courses fulfill degree requirements. Global Tracks provide students with the clarity and confidence to incorporate international learning into their academic paths.

“In the simplest terms, Global Tracks are documents with course outlines clearly demonstrating course options at a specific study abroad site for a specific major,” explained Mariah Nunes, curriculum integration manager for Study Abroad. “The key is that they demonstrate ‘applicability to that major.’ It is not just how the course transfers to the U of A, but what it counts for in that major’s requirements.”

The development of each Global Track is a collaborative process involving academic advisors, faculty, and the Study Abroad team. “Advisors are masters at knowing the best time for their students to go abroad, which types of courses we should be looking for, and who in their department to bring into the conversation to evaluate courses for applicability to the major,” Nunes said. Faculty play a central role in reviewing and approving course matches, as well as ensuring academic integrity and relevance. Once approved, the tracks are published on the Global Tracks website, allowing students and advisors to access them easily.

What began as a modest initiative many years ago has now grown into a campus-wide effort, with Global Tracks representing 10 different colleges. Additionally, there are more than 40 additional tracks currently in development. According to Nunes, this shift happened organically: “Nearly all Global Tracks are coming to our unit directly from the academic departments. Academic advisors and faculty reach out regularly with excitement and interest in creating these resources for their students.”

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One standout example is the College of Information Science, where Global Tracks were created for every major across multiple international locations. “Now, every student coming into that college can know they have clear course options in various parts of the world that will help them satisfy graduation requirements in a timely manner,” said Nunes. The college’s Information Science & Arts Global Track at UA London was recognized as the unviersity's official 100th Global Track.

Academic leaders across campus recognize the value that Global Tracks bring to their students. Michael McKisson, associate dean for undergraduate academic affairs in the College of Information Science, witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of study abroad while teaching in the Arizona in Orvieto program. “Global Tracks are a smart, strategic way to help students gain the global perspective and experience needed to thrive in international industries,” he said.

Global Tracks have also been instrumental in opening up international opportunities for students in rigorous majors such as Physiology and Medical Sciences. “They provide students with the opportunity to get the benefits of a study abroad experience while earning credit that directly applies toward their degree requirements and helps keep them on track toward degree completion,” Andrea Caffrey, assistant director of academic advising in the College of Medicine – Tucson, said. “We’re so grateful to be able to offer multiple Global Tracks to our students so they can take advantage of study abroad experiences while not having to take on heavier course loads or make other sacrifices.”

Lauren Duley Kelly, undergraduate academic advisor for the departments of English and linguistics, echoed these sentiments. Whereas her departments previously treated study abroad courses on a case-by-case basis without an accessible record of how those courses might have been previously applied to fulfill a specific major requirement, students can now make informed decisions. “The Global Tracks have taken so much guesswork out of determining transferability of courses and applicability to degree plans,” she said. “They’ve been such an incredible resource and have taken so much stress out of the planning process.”

Beyond academics, faculty and advisors consistently emphasize the personal growth and long-term benefits that come from international learning. “These experiences open up entirely new ways of seeing the world, while also giving students friendships and memories that stay with them for life,” said McKisson. Kelly shared how studying abroad can transform a student’s self-confidence and career trajectory. “I’ve seen firsthand how study abroad can allow a person to step outside their comfort zone and be immersed in a new culture,” she said, “which I believe is crucial in strengthening not just one’s empathy, but also developing flexibility about future possibilities and paths that might not have been initially considered.”

For the study abroad team, the milestone of 100 Global Tracks is not just a number; it’s a testament to collaboration and commitment. Global Tracks would not be possible without the support of faculty and staff working together to remove barriers and create more accessible opportunities for students. 

"Making study abroad possible is a campuswide effort, and we are grateful for the expertise and collaboration our colleagues from across campus bring to this work,” said DeFazio. “Their partnership ensures that these credit-bearing international experiences fit seamlessly into students’ academic plans and support timely graduation. Together, we make it possible for more students to see study abroad as an essential and achievable part of their education."