Concordia’s study abroad programs provide students with the opportunity to explore other parts of the world while taking classes that fulfill their degree requirements. Students can study abroad during the summer, fall and spring semesters. As the 2026 spring semester comes to an end, students who are planning to study abroad next semester shared their excitement.

One popular and competitive study abroad program is the Cambridge program. Students who apply must have their applications reviewed and selected by a committee and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students who are accepted stay at Westfield House in Cambridge, England, for the fall semester. 

“I wanted to study abroad through the Cambridge study abroad program because I admire the Lutheran foundation and academic rigor of Westfield House. I wanted to challenge myself academically, and Westfield House offers the academic structure and rigor that I am looking for,” said Bethany Weider, freshman Theatre major with an emphasis in Acting and Directing. 

Additionally, Weider shared that she hopes to immerse herself in a new culture, meeting new people and experiencing new things, allowing her to push herself and prove that she can do things outside her comfort zone.

“Academically, I hope to gain confidence by truly investing in the intimate academic setting that Cambridge has to offer. Westfield House, where we will be studying, offers much smaller, seminar-style courses where the goal is to foster critical thinking and deep discussion. My hopes through engaging in these courses are to learn how to be a more effective critical thinker, and to become a more confident student by engaging in discussion and learning to speak more clearly and eloquently,” added Weider. 

Her love for history and theater also offers Weider an exciting opportunity to explore England's abundance of historical sites. “I hope to travel to London multiple times to see West End shows and visit incredible sites like the National Gallery, British Museum, the Tower of London, the Globe Theatre, and so much more,” said Weider. “England also has incredible proximity to the rest of Europe, where I can travel to other countries if I so desire.” 

Another program available to students is studying abroad in Milan, Italy, at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. 

Giselle Parra, junior English major, said, “I plan to go into publishing post-college, and there is a course there dedicated to publishing and learning to navigate that world. I was deciding between two schools, and the one in Milan had more classes I felt excited about! I get the chance to go early and take a course that will immerse me further in Italian culture with language classes, navigation and more!”

Parra also looks forward to meeting new people and experiencing life in Italy, from the fashion to the nightlife. “I am so blessed to be able to continue to explore what I’m passionate about in another country. I look forward to the friends and memories I will make out there,” said Parra.

She also hopes to connect more with her family and faith during her time abroad. “Italy has been such a big part of my upbringing, with my Godmother being Italian, I grew up listening to a lot of the music and making her family’s recipes. My family is also Catholic, so I am excited to visit different spots that are located there, connected to my faith,” shared Parra.

Study abroad programs are available for students across all majors and disciplines worldwide. Other locations include Spain, France, Greece, Ireland, South Korea and Japan, and many more. Students who are interested in studying abroad or participating in an exchange program can visit the Moon International Center’s Programs for Study Abroad or visit https://www.cui.edu/admissions/undergraduate/academics/programs-abroad. The website provides a direct link to view all available programs, as well as photos of past students’ experiences. 

Tags: study abroad, Cambridge

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