Keeping pace with its national rankings, the University of St. Thomas Study Abroad Program continued to enjoy a track record of success in the 2008-09 academic year.

UST students spanned the globe in pursuit of educational opportunities that have become a hallmark of a UST education. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate students participated in seven UST sponsored group programs in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Jamaica, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Individual students studied for a semester or more in Chile, France, Ireland, Spain, and Taiwan. Study Abroad achieved all of this despite a climate hampered by recession and swine flu.

The Study Abroad Program garnered nationwide recognition for undergraduate study abroad participation. For the fourth time in the last five years, the Institute of International Education has named the University of St. Thomas as one of the top 20 master’s schools in the United States for study abroad programs. In 2008, UST ranked 16th out of 169 participating master’s institutions.

During the past year, students engaged in service work in Jamaica with Dr. Randy Soffer; witnessed first-hand the growing détente between China and Taiwan with Dr. Hans Stockton, and were witness to ongoing reconciliation efforts in Ireland with Professors Lori Gallagher and Aoife Ni Ghloinn. Students took to the streets with Dr. Jim Barloon in search of literary London. Dr. Elizabeth Maynard and Dr. Cristian Morosan joined the ranks of UST’s teaching abroad veterans by taking groups to Singapore and the Czech Republic, respectively. In his final study abroad, Dr. Gustavo Wensjoe introduced students to life’s rhythms in Lima and an adventure in Machu Pichu. The Ireland and Taiwan programs enjoyed very kind and generous additional financial support from friends in the community.

Despite best efforts by the Study Abroad Office and Merida faculty, the Merida, Mexico summer program was canceled due to the swine flu outbreak. The scheduled courses for Merida were offered on campus with the kind cooperation of students, Fr. Jack Hanna, CSB, and Dr. Ramiro Juarez. Merida will be back for summer 2010.

The Program has mapped out trips to ensure that 2009-2010 will be another great year to study abroad. While Dr. Jim Barloon will take a break from London this year, the winter program will rotate back into the hands of its creator, Dr. Irving Kelter. Dr. Kelter will teach with Dr. Janet Lowery in London this winter.

Summer offerings include Merida, Italy, Jamaica, and Spain. The Catholic Studies/ Art History program in Italy returns for its three-city expedition under the expert direction of Sr. Damien Marie Savino and Dr. Bernard Bonario. Dr. Randy Soffer will reprise his lead of the Jamaica program. Dr. Pierre Canac and Dr. Rogelio Garcia-Contreras will offer courses in Barcelona, Spain at our sister university, Abat Oliba.

The first general information session for the academic year’s study abroad programs will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 2, 2009 in Anderson 103. The Study Abroad Web site will be updated at the beginning of the fall semester and students are always encouraged to come to Tiller Hall for information and study abroad advising. Please contact Diana Garcia, Study Abroad Coordinator, at garciad@stthom.edu or via phone at 713-525-3530.