Western students explore the world through faculty-led study abroad
Since May, more than 300 Western students have spent part of their summer immersed in new cultures, broadening their perspectives and building global connections through academically focused travel.
As part of 13 faculty-led programs across 16 countries, students explored diverse topics—from engineering in Germany and archaeology in Greece to health care in Scandinavia. Each program offered hands-on, community-engaged learning experiences that enriched their academic studies and deepened their understanding of global issues.
Western offers a variety of faculty-led study abroad opportunities across most faculties. These programs combine classroom learning with immersive international experiences. Study abroad trips range from one or two weeks to full-term placements, often following classroom preparation before departure.
See below for a selection of program summaries from organizers, as well as photos and reflections from participants.
Engineering in a Global Context: Advanced Manufacturing - Germany
This two-week technical elective course took final year engineering students to Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, where they tackled a broad spectrum of learning modules ranging from composites to automated production. The traditional in-class modules were augmented with visits to renowned global manufacturers located in the area and trips to Heidelberg, Freiburg or Strasbourg, aiming to weave the regional culture and history into the technical agenda with a stated goal to provide the participants with a holistic and real-world perspective on the current global manufacturing practice.
Students from other Canadian universities who have completed the third year of their engineering program from their home programs are also permitted to enrol in this course.
"I can honestly say that it was the trip of a lifetime. Every day was packed with experiential learning, immersive cultural experiences, and free time to explore. New friends and a beautiful country made it incredibly hard to leave.” - Madeline Smith, program participant and student from McMaster University
CS3010G Study Tour to Greece: Ancient Greek History, Archaeology and Culture—Then and Now
This immersive two-week Study Tour in Greece offered Western students a unique opportunity to explore ancient Greek history, archaeology, and culture through first-hand experience. Guided by faculty, students visited world-renowned sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, and the royal tombs in Vergina.
Grounded in experiential learning, the course engaged students intellectually, emotionally, and physically in ways a traditional classroom cannot. They walked the sacred path to the temple of Apollo at Delphi, stood on the Pnyx where Athenian democracy took shape, and explored how ancient Greek heritage continues to influence modern Greece.
Check out their Student Blog to see student reflections on the trip and their learning.
Rondine Cittadella della Pace, Tuscany
This program offered Western and affiliated students the opportunity to study in May in the historic town of Arezzo, Italy, in the heart of Tuscany. Participants live and learn alongside Rondine’s World House students—young people from conflict zones worldwide who have chosen to come and learn how to become peacebuilders in their home countries.
Western students completed courses focused on the Italian language and conflict transformation while also participating in community-engaged learning experiences in Arezzo. They emerged from their month in this uniquely rich academic and cultural environment with a deeper understanding of Italian culture, valuable intercultural communication skills, a broader global perspective, and long-lasting friendships.
“As a first-year student, this was a truly incredible and transformational experience. At Rondine, I learned what it means to engage with complex social issues through a culture of peace and tolerance. During the month, I had the opportunity to travel across Italy to explore the rich history, architecture and food that Italy offers, learn a new language, and most importantly, form friendships with other students. My classmates and I, who came from diverse majors, experiences and interests, learned, lived and experienced Italy together. I will look back on this experience of being together, learning, living, and travelling with others in Italy throughout my years at Western and beyond. I am tremendously grateful for this opportunity to come to Rondine, experience a new culture, expand my perspective, form new friendships, and find a new way of engaging with the world.” - Nathaniaal Silvester, first-year student in the Faculty of Science and trip participant
Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia
After a semester of collaborative online international learning (COIL), mastering cultural competencies, and learning about partner organizations, 35 students in the Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia course completed a 12-day study tour through Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Collaborating with health sciences students at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the OsloMet University in Norway, Western students from the School of Health Studies, Medical Sciences and Ivey School of Business learned about arguably the best health care systems in the world. They returned inspired for change after witnessing national electronic health records, readily available technology for dementia, successful homecare solutions, and personalized long-term care.
“I learned that growth does not come from certainty—it comes from curiosity, vulnerability, and asking better questions. Taking a chance on this course changed my trajectory. It gave me not just new knowledge, but a new mindset: one that welcomes challenge, values transformation, and dares to believe in something better.” – Sapneet Sandhu, program participant and fourth-year student in the Faculty of Health Sciences
“As a future physician, I want to help reshape how we view aging in Canada, not as decline, but as continued growth, meaning, and dignity. This journey helped me stop tiptoeing through life. It cracked something open. And from that crack, light poured in.” – Jenna Cavanagh, program participant and a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Health Sciences
DAN Management Study Trip to Vienna - MOS 3370
Beginning with two weeks of online studies and followed by two weeks in person at Vienna University of Economics and Business, this experiential learning course had students focus on using accounting information to make better business decisions. Highlights from May 2025 included making chocolates at a Vienna Chocolate Factory, touring the Vienna United Nations building and learning about the work of the UN, experiencing the Vienna wine industry through a Heuriger dinner, and learning about current global business issues at KPMG-Austria.
“Vienna was an unforgettable school trip, a perfect blend of learning and enjoying a vibrant cultural experience. Every moment felt magical and enriching!” - Sohil Kshatri, program participant and fourth-year student in the Faculty of Social Science
The study-abroad program was the best experience of my life. My only wish is that the trip lasted longer. Participants walk away with lifelong friends, valuable contacts, and a better sense of their career path. - Angelina Kalinina, program participant and fourth-year student in the Faculty of Social Science
