国产传媒

The Mount continues to provide unique and engaging learning experiences for students aiming to develop a broader perspective of the world. Mount Saint Mary’s faculty-led international programs have expanded over the years to give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, engage in hands-on learning and contribute to communities in need — all while earning course credit.

This summer, Mount faculty and students traveled to Kenya and Italy, among others, to gain new insights, perform research and delve into the local cultures.

Art, film and the cuisine of Italy

Led by English professor Alice Bardan, PhD, 15 students spent the month of July learning the Italian language, exploring the art and film of Rome and Florence and savoring Italian cuisine. Rome, with its timeless allure, served as the perfect backdrop for two courses: “Rome in Literature and Film” and “Italian Film and Food Culture.”

Students dove right in and focused initially on learning the language to navigate new and unfamiliar situations.  They engaged deeply with their coursework through a combination of lectures and experiential learning.

From the awe-inspiring Colosseum to the iconic Trevi Fountain to the historic Cinecittà film studios, students explored the many layers of Rome’s rich history and how film and food reflect the social and political climate of the country. A three-day excursion to Florence allowed students to marvel at masterpieces in the Uffizi Galleries, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo.

To delve into Italy’s food culture, students explored the many customs and traditions surrounding meals as well as urban and regional culinary differences. Students also engaged in conversations about food sustainability, the challenges of worldwide hunger and the importance of access to fresh and affordable food.

For many students, it was their first time visiting Europe — or venturing beyond the US — making the experience even more memorable.

Dr. Bardan says these international opportunities help create culturally conscious individuals who are committed to have a positive impact on the world. In addition, studies suggest that students who participate in international programs during their college years are more likely to successfully complete their degrees with an improved academic performance.

This impact is even more pronounced for students from underrepresented or underserved communities. “These experiences show potential employers that the student is open-minded and willing to explore new things,” says Dr. Bardan. “Learning to understand and appreciate the ambiguity that comes from cross-cultural experiences is a valuable skill employers tend to appreciate in their candidates.”

Lauren Worley ’27, a business administration major, says the trip to Italy was academically challenging and developed her time management skills. “Personally, I grew so much as a person,” she says. “This trip taught me how to be more independent, spontaneous and confident.”

Conducting vital research and experiencing wildlife in Kenya

The seventh cohort of the Global Women in STEM and Policy undergraduate research program (GWSTEM) traveled to Kenya for two weeks this August to visit rural areas near Nairobi and conduct research on how environmental factors influence women’s health in the region. 

Under the guidance of Lia Roberts, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of History and Political Science, and biology professors Luiza Noga, PhD, and Adriane Jones, PhD, 11 students participated in this research study opportunity. The GWSTEM program is designed to train undergraduate students in interdisciplinary research in both sciences and social sciences, covering topics such as healthcare policy, cancer and society and environmental impacts on health outcomes. This three-semester, cross-discipline program provides students with hands-on experience in lab and social science survey research.

Over ten days, students collected surveys from women in three different Kenyan cultural groups. “Students met women in rural areas who live without access to running water or electricity, much less regular healthcare. These women had so much to teach us about resiliency, hope and advocacy,” says Dr. Roberts.

To more closely examine environmental conditions, Dr. Jones also led the students in assessing air quality and testing the water for contaminants.

Beyond their research, students experienced the natural beauty as well as environmental efforts to preserve Kenya’s native lands. While visiting an elephant orphanage and conservancy, they learned about the impact of climate change on East African elephant and rhino populations.

“After this trip, I will never again underestimate the power of advocacy and the voices of those who think they go unheard,” says Miah Vega ‘26, a biochemistry major. “The communities we visited are resilient, advocating tirelessly with limited resources. As a global citizen, I am committed to amplifying the voices of those who cannot advocate for themselves.”