Study Abroad Programs Takes Learning Global for CPP Students
Students looking to begin their journey to become global citizens or experience a new learning environment in places like France or Japan can get that opportunity by studying abroad.
Cal Poly Pomona offers access to more than 100 study abroad programs in over 60 countries worldwide, allowing them to engage with a new culture while still earning transferable credit.
“It takes theory into practice, and students are there experiencing a new culture first-hand, hearing the language, seeing the sights, and absorbing themselves into their new surroundings,” said Kraig Walkup, study abroad coordinator. “Those are the kind of things that you can’t get elsewhere.”
The four types of programs offered are Faculty-Led, Exchange Student Programs, Affiliated Programs, and CSU International Programs. Programs range in duration from one week to an entire academic year, so students can choose the length that suits them, and their major best, be it during spring break, winter intersession, summer, semester or a full year abroad.
“Study abroad is the epitome of learn by doing,” said Renford Reese, political science professor and coordinator for faculty-led international field trips. “There is nothing we do that is more fitting of our ethos than traveling to an international destination and seeing it for yourself, observing it for yourself, and immersing yourself in that experience.”
Since starting to teach at Cal Poly Pomona, Reese has traveled to 11 different countries, including Japan and Switzerland, with 18 groups of students. He has shown his commitment to providing students with this life-changing experience by contributing $100,000 to study abroad programs.
Reese emphasizes President Coley’s efforts to ensure that all students interested in study abroad have the opportunity to participate.
“That’s one thing President Coley is keen about, is making sure that these programs are affordable for our students, not just some students, but for all of our students,” Reese added. “We have a movement, a real movement to make these programs accessible to our students.”
Political Science Alumni Sean Yu has also contributed to efforts to make study abroad affordable to all students. Over the past five years, Yu has donated a total of $1 million in support of students visiting East Asia, Reese said. The political science department extends its study abroad programs to all majors.
Additionally, students can apply for outside scholarships, including the Gilman Scholarship and Fund for Education Abroad.
“I was at that point in my life where I was very interested, and coming from a first-generation low-income background, I never imagined myself to be studying abroad,” said Oona Iglesias, a recent sociology graduate. “I always assumed it would be a year-long or semester-long, and I had financial things at home to take care of. So, I never thought I'd be able to go on a trip like this. And once I saw the costs, I was like, okay, this sounds good.”
Iglesias participated in three different study abroad programs throughout her college journey. The first was Hawaii in the spring of 2020, followed by Switzerland and France in the spring of 2023 and Scotland and London this March and April. Iglesias worked with incarcerated individuals as part of Professor Reese’s Prison Education Project.
“I really wanted to hop on these trips to not only expand my mind on that, in that realm, but I wanted to be active and make change in those places,” said Iglesias. “The most challenging part was leaving not just the country, but leaving the work that we did behind.”
Lana Hy, a senior majoring in business administration with an emphasis in management and human resources, participated in a two-week study abroad program in June called Entertainment and Sports Business of Korea. It was led by marketing professor Anthony Kim and was based in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. During her visit, she toured Solbridge International School of Business, the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the Gocheok Sky Dome, various entertainment agencies and broadcasting studios, and many historical landmarks such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
“Even though this program is called Entertainment and Sports Business, there was also an emphasis on getting a feel of the culture and learning about it,” said Hy. “Getting to dress in the hanboks (traditional attire) was one of my favorite things we did together as a class.”
Hy also had the opportunity to explore Seoul during her free time. She visited Lotte World, an amusement park, enjoyed street foods at Gwangjang Market, shopped at Coex Mall as well as various shopping districts like Hongdae and Myeondong. In addition, she traveled outside the capital to explore more cafes and Haeundae Beach in Busan, about three hours away from Seoul via bullet train.
“In the back of my mind, I've always wanted to cross studying abroad off my college bucket list and I realized my senior year was coming up,” said Hy. “I was just like, I’ve got to do it, and I did,” said Hy. “It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I made so many new friends. I got to immerse myself in the rich Korean culture. I really wish the program was longer than two weeks because it flew by way too fast.”
During the academic year, three weekly information sessions called Study Abroad 101, are hosted via Zoom on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Help is provided every step of the way, with a pre-departure orientation preparing students with necessary travel skills including money matters such as currency conversion.
Students must apply to their study abroad program almost a full semester in advance. To learn more about the programs, visit the Cal Poly Pomona Study Abroad website or Political Science Department Study Abroad/Study Away Trips for faculty-related programs.