Students who want to begin their journey to becoming global citizens or experience a new learning environment in countries like France or Japan can get that opportunity by studying abroad.
Cal Poly Pomona offers access to over 100 study abroad programs in over 60 countries worldwide, allowing students to experience a new culture while earning transferable credits.
“Theory is put into practice and students experience a new culture firsthand, hear the language, see the sights and take in their new surroundings,” said Kraig Walkup, study abroad coordinator. “These are things you don’t get anywhere else.”
The four types of programs offered are faculty-led programs, student exchange programs, partner programs, and CSU international programs. Programs range in length from one week to a full academic year, allowing students to choose the length that best suits them and their major, whether it be during spring break, winter break, summer, semester, or a full year abroad.
“Studying abroad is the epitome of learning by doing,” says Renford Reese, political science professor and coordinator of faculty-led international field trips. “Nothing we do is more in line with our ethos than traveling to an international place and seeing it for yourself, observing it for yourself and immersing yourself in that experience.”
Since teaching at Cal Poly Pomona, Reese has traveled with 18 student groups to 11 different countries, including Japan and Switzerland. He has demonstrated his commitment to providing students with this life-changing experience by donating $100,000 to study abroad programs.
Reese highlights President Coley’s efforts to ensure that all students interested in studying abroad have the opportunity to participate.
“President Coley is very interested in keeping these programs affordable for our students, not just some, but all,” Reese added. “We have a movement, a real movement, to make these programs accessible to our students.”
Political science graduate Sean Yu has also been involved in efforts to make study abroad affordable for all students. Over the past five years, Yu has donated a total of $1 million to support students visiting East Asia, Reese said. The political science department is expanding its study abroad programs for all majors.
In addition, students can apply for external scholarships, including the Gilman Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad.
“I was at a point in my life where I had a lot of interest. Coming from a first-generation, low-income family, I never imagined studying abroad,” said Oona Iglesias, a recent sociology graduate. “I always assumed it would take a year or a semester, and I had to take care of the finances at home, so I never thought I could make a trip like that. Then when I saw the cost, I thought, OK, that sounds good.”
Iglesias participated in three different study abroad programs during her time in college. The first was Hawaii in spring 2020, followed by Switzerland and France in spring 2023, and Scotland and London in March and April. Iglesias worked with incarcerated individuals as part of Professor Reese’s Prison Education Project.
“I really wanted to do these trips, not only to broaden my horizons in this field, but also to be active and make a difference there,” said Iglesias. “The biggest challenge was not only leaving the country, but also the work we had done there.”
Lana Hy, a final-year student studying business administration with a concentration in management and human resources, participated in a two-week study abroad program called “Entertainment and Sports Business of Korea” in June. It was led by marketing professor Anthony Kim and took place in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. During her visit, she toured the Solbridge International School of Business, the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the Gocheok Sky Dome, various entertainment agencies and broadcasting studios, and many historical sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace.
“Although this program is called Entertainment and Sports Business, emphasis was also placed on getting a feel for the culture and learning more about it,” said Hy. “Putting on hanbok (traditional clothing) was one of my favorite activities as a class.”
Hy also had a chance to explore Seoul in her free time. She visited Lotte World, an amusement park, enjoyed street food at Gwangjang Market, went shopping at Coex Mall, as well as various shopping districts such as Hongdae and Myeondong. In addition, she traveled outside the capital to explore more cafes and Haeundae Beach in Busan, which is about three hours from Seoul by bullet train.
“I had always secretly wanted to cross study abroad off my college bucket list, and then I realized my senior year was coming up,” Hy said. “I just thought, I have to do this, and I did,” Hy said. “It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I made so many new friends. I was able to immerse myself in the rich Korean culture. I really wish the program had been longer than two weeks because it went by way too quickly.”
During the academic year, there are three weekly information sessions called Study Abroad 101, held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays via Zoom. Help is offered at every step, and a pre-departure orientation session teaches students the travel skills they need, including money matters such as currency conversion.
Students must apply for their study abroad program nearly a full semester in advance. For more information about the programs, visit Cal Poly Pomona’s Study Abroad website or the Department of Political Science’s Study Abroad/Study Away Trips website for department-based programs.
