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At the heart of Rollins is our mission to cultivate globally engaged leaders and problem solvers, and this past summer, Tars once again made their mark by learning and contributing across the globe. From studying turtles in the North Atlantic to discovering the science behind top tech companies in South Korea, our students gained valuable hands-on experience while putting their Rollins education to work in the world.

Our commitment to a rich, diverse collection of international education programs and field study opportunities is a big reason why more than 70 percent of our students study abroad at least once and why Rollins is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges for study abroad. Additionally, recent research from the American Association of Colleges & Universities shows that executives and hiring managers are more likely to hire candidates with experience in a field-based project in a community with people from diverse backgrounds, so these hands-on opportunities not only enrich the Rollins experience but are also essential preparation for the workforce.

As last spring turned to summer, we asked students to keep us in the loop as they readied their passports and set out into the world. Here are a few of our favorite field study and study abroad stories from summer 2024.

Caroline Barrett ’25 spent four weeks of her summer in Uganda and Rwanda with the Global Livingston Institute, a nongovernmental operation (NGO) dedicated to rethinking community development in East Africa. The Global Livingston Institute emphasizes the importance of spending time in communities and listening to their needs before taking action—a philosophy that deeply resonated with Barrett as she engaged with locals and learned about their community and way of life.

The communication studies major explored innovative approaches to international development and gained hands-on community development experience. Speaking with health-care professionals and seeing the need for improvement in health-care systems solidified her interest in pursuing a career in the health field after graduation.

“We tackled social issues, trekked with monkeys, went on safari, and hiked through indigenous villages,” says Barrett, “and each experience expanded my worldview and deepened my understanding of East Africa. I had the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned over the past three years at Rollins in a hands-on way, and witnessing the diverse communication styles across cultures was fascinating.”

Biochemistry/molecular biology major Gabrielle Eubanks ’26 explored South Korea on a field study centered on STEM culture. Led by chemistry professor Ellane Park and education professor Jie Yu, students visited the capital city of Seoul, one of the world’s largest-growing technological hubs and innovative cities, to experience the science behind top companies such as Samsung and LG while immersing in the history, food, music, and culture.

Eubanks connected directly with STEM faculty and students from local universities and visited SongAm Space Center and star observatory. She also explored Jeju Island, a recently established UNESCO heritage site, where she learned about the history and culture of Haenyeo, the female divers of Jeju whose livelihood depends on harvesting a variety of sea life from the ocean.

“This field study allowed me to explore other technologically developed countries outside of the United States and further embrace my love for Korean culture and music,” says Eubanks. “Because of these experiences, I was able to reflect on how the past and present intermingle with one another for the good of the future.”

Alongside Spanish professor and native Spaniard Alberto Prieto-Calixto, recent graduate Jay Kirkley ’24 explored beautiful Madrid on the Verano Español study abroad program, spending six weeks studying the Spanish language and making memories that will last a lifetime. The group visited historical sites like Segovia and Salamanca and culturally rich places like Candelario, a small town west of Madrid where students participated in a pottery workshop and a guided hike in the beautiful landscape near the Spanish and Portuguese border.

“This program had been on my radar ever since I studied abroad in Spain for a semester through the Oviedo Exchange program,” says the biochemistry/molecular biology and public policy and political economy double major. “Communication is the key to building multicultural connections and uplifting the voices of marginalized people. This program expanded my Spanish-speaking skills, and now I’m more adept at building these bridges. With my fluency, I’m making myself a more marketable candidate for future employers.”

Business management major Chanel Thompson ’25 embarked on an educational odyssey in the heart of West Africa led by international business professor Emmanuel Kodzi. She and her fellow students traveled to the vibrant nation of Ghana, where she engaged in everything from a safari tour to cultural immersion in the Ashanti Kingdom and Fanteland to site visits with large and small community-based businesses.

“During our visit, we met with representatives from the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Ghana Stock Exchange, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre,” says Thompson. “Each session presented constructive details about addressing current issues such as greenfield investments, labor shortages, low wages, and investment diversification. I also had the opportunity to sit down with multiple government agencies to discuss their current approaches toward economic development.”

Business management and communication studies double major Lana Gerard ’25 studied abroad in Pau, France, spending six weeks working with local business owners, community partners, and entrepreneurs within the Aquitaine region.

She visited businesses like the Pau Chamber of Commerce and cultural sites like the Pyrenees Mountains, also learning alongside two students from Éklore-Ed School of Management in Pau, which allowed her to see how other cultures perceive certain business topics and to appreciate different opinions and backgrounds.

“Through this experience, I learned more about myself as a student and a leader in large group settings,” shares Gerard. “Studying in France has opened my eyes to the unique business practices in other countries, and I really learned how important it is to respect other people’s cultures rather than judging them.”

Marine biology and music double major Stella Monner ’24 joined a field study at the marine sciences laboratory of the Darling Marine Centre in Maine focused on North Atlantic marine life. The group investigated the ecology, diversity, biogeography, and oceanography of coastal marine ecosystems with particular emphasis on rocky shores, mudflats, estuaries, and salt marshes.

“From puffin watching to visiting the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, this field study was a great way to apply what I’ve been learning in class to real-world practices,” says Monner. “I worked with students and professors from a variety of STEM disciplines, and each person brought a different perspective to discussions and class activities. That’s one of the things that I love about having a liberal arts education—everyone has different viewpoints and backgrounds, which helps provide a well-rounded experience.”

Psychology major and recent graduate Fatima Sani ’24 traveled to Tanzania, where she experienced local culture, engaged in impactful community service, and explored the breathtaking landscapes of Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti National Parks. With the field study spotlighting community development and ecotourism, the group carried out construction work at a primary school in Mkyashi, Kilimanjaro, and engaged in agricultural activities that directly contributed to the school’s nutritional practices.

Following their work in Mkyashi, Sani and her fellow Tars embarked on a three-day safari before heading to Zanzibar, where they explored historical landmarks such as Stonetown of Zanzibar, also known as Mji Mkongwe.

“This experience allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, serve the local community, and learn about the entrepreneurial spirit of underserved populations in Tanzania,” says Sani. “The skills and insights I gained have enriched my college experience and provided valuable lessons for my future professional endeavors.”

Biology and environmental studies double major Makenna Gary ’26 learned about the practice of animal conservation and the threats to endemic animals and their habitats on a field study in the Dominican Republic led by biology professors Bobby Fokidis and Jay Pieczynski. During this two-week experiential learning course, she partnered with local grassroots environmental organizations to collect real data on threatened turtle species while also exploring areas like Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discovering the history and culture of the region.

“This research on endemic turtle species is important to me because I deeply care about protecting biodiversity and fostering intercultural communication,” shares Gary. “This hands-on experience enhanced my classroom learning by providing real-world applications of concepts I've been studying since my first semester at Rollins in general biology. Being immersed in a Spanish-speaking country significantly improved my Spanish language skills and reminded me how important and valuable it is to understand multiple languages, which has inspired me to continue improving.”

Business management major Triston Fell ’26 traveled to Singapore and Malaysia on a weeklong field study where he and his fellow students explored multi-religious and ethnically diverse metropolises and universities to learn about the cultural traditions from China, India, and Malaysia, among others. Led by history professor Yusheng Yao and Wenxian Zhang, professor and head of archives at Olin Library, Fell engaged with college students at Nanyang Technology University and the National University of Singapore, explored the country’s environmentally friendly cityscape with visits to Merlion Park and Cloud Forest, and visited the U.S. Department of Commerce in Kuala Lumpur, which helped prepare him for his upcoming supply management class.

“This field study exposed me to a multitude of aspects of Southeast Asian culture: the people, the languages, the impact the region has on global trade, the rapidly growing economies of many countries in the region, and, of course, the food,” shares Fell. “We also visited many organizations in both Malaysia and Singapore that do noble work that benefits not only the people who reside within their respective countries but people around the world as well.”

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