At Ohio University, education can stretch beyond campus, and sometimes far beyond the country’s borders.
Through the university’s Office of Global Opportunities, students can take part in a range of domestic and international programs that connect academic learning with real-world experience.
Whether consulting with businesses in Central America, exploring sustainable agriculture in East Africa or interning in Washington, D.C., these opportunities allow students to test their skills in new and unfamiliar environments.
The Global Consulting Program in the College of Business operates in 12 countries, placing students in short-term consulting roles with local and multinational clients.
Paige Kemmett, a junior studying marketing and business analytics, spent her spring break in Costa Rica working with Biophilia, a natural reserve and environmental education center.
During the weeklong project, students consulted on sustainability practices, a challenge rooted in the biodiversity of the Costa Rican rainforest. Kemmett said the experience provided new insight into how business is conducted outside the U.S.
“I don't even have the words to say how amazing it was, but it was just such an eye-opening experience,” Kemmett said. “It gave me a new level of experience that I couldn’t get in a classroom.”
She said the trip shifted her perspective and made her think more intentionally about how she wanted to shape her remaining time at OU.
“I don’t think my outlook on certain things has shifted as much as it did since I’ve been in Costa Rica,” Kemmett said. “It was a very eye-opening experience and I think everybody should do it … it’s probably going to be the highlight of my college career.”
In another study abroad spring break program, students traveled to Panama for a field-focused course on plant biology led by OU professors, Glenn Matlack and Harvey Ballard. The program combined academic study with jungle excursions, including snorkeling, Cayman tracking and species identification.
Hannah Wiederhold, a senior studying plant biology, said the trip gave her a chance to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.
“It was interesting because I’d never really done fieldwork before,” Wiederhold said. “I had some trouble with the fish, but plants were easier … you could take a picture and look it up later … it was kind of like seeing your textbook come to life.”
Wiederhold said the experience not only enhanced her resume but also helped her build confidence in her academics. She encourages other students, especially freshmen, to consider going abroad early in their college careers.
Experiential learning at OU is not limited to science or business majors. Students from a variety of fields are taking part in programs that combine global travel with coursework and cultural exchange.
Kathleen Shuttleworth, a 2025 alumna who majored in climate, environment, and society, traveled to Kenya for a three-week-long program centered on agroecology. Students partnered with the Institute for Culture and Ecology, a grassroots organization that supports sustainable farming practices and local food systems.
Shuttleworth said the program offered a unique look at both community-level efforts and international policy development. After visiting local farms, students met with representatives at the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi.
“It’s not just about planting a seed and selling a product,” Shuttleworth said. “It has to do with food culture, the solidarity economy, and how to create jobs for local farmers through a more inclusive value chain.”
She described the transition from rural farming communities to international aid discussions as “incredible.”
“One week you’re in the field making bio-pesticides, the next you’re in a room with people deciding how to allocate millions in environmental funding,” Shuttleworth said.
Although Shuttleworth had previously traveled abroad, for some students, the Kenya trip marked their first time leaving the country.
“They had just finished their first year at OU,” she said. “They had a really fresh perspective and could use that to shape what they wanted to learn moving forward.”
Opportunities for growth through travel are not limited to international destinations. For students interested in public service or media, OU also offers the Scripps Semester in D.C. program, which includes four weeks of coursework followed by a full-time internship in Washington, D.C.
Students secure their own internships and live in the city, gaining firsthand experience in a professional environment. Hebah Abdalla-Lehmann, co-director of the program, said it offers more than just career development.
“Students learn what it’s like to work a nine to five job and gain real experience,” Abdalla-Lehmann said. “But they also learn how to navigate a new city, use public transportation, and maintain a social life and build an invaluable network, skills that will take them to the next level in their careers.”
For education majors, the Storytelling in Education in England program offers a chance to explore children’s literature through visits to London, Oxford and sites tied to authors like C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling. The program also includes a visit to a Department of Defense school that serves U.S. military families abroad.
Jennifer Lisy, an assistant professor of instruction on OU’s Zanesville campus and co-director of the program, said she created the course after missing out on study abroad as a student herself due to student-teaching requirements.
“This is the kind of program I wish I could have done,” Lisy said. “These short-term trips are a great way to travel as part of a course, even if you can’t go abroad for an entire semester.”
The course also examines how literature is taught across cultures, including discussions about censorship and banned books.
“We’ll visit C.S. Lewis’ home and talk about books like “Harry Potter” and what it means when books are challenged or banned,” Lisy said. “It’s not just about seeing places, it's about thinking critically about the stories we share.”
Lisy said she believes strongly in the value of international learning, whether short-term or long-term, and encourages students to take advantage of it.
“There are a million reasons to study abroad,” she said. “These are the kinds of experiences that stay with you long after graduation.”
