Syracuse Sun

Roma Agarwal, a biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed her excitement about the new opportunity for science students to study abroad in Madrid. Agarwal shared, “The Madrid program felt perfect for me because I always knew going abroad was something I wanted to do.”

The initiative to create a study abroad program specifically tailored for science and pre-health majors stems from the recognition that traditional study abroad experiences often do not align with the rigorous course requirements of these fields. Steven Schaffling, assistant dean for student success, emphasized the importance of designing programs that cater to majors with challenging curriculum requirements, stating, “An important element of expanding our abroad offerings is designing programming specifically for those majors with course requirements that make it a challenge to complete a semester abroad or away.”

Elena Paolini Williams, director of first-year advising, academic and career advising, highlighted the personal growth and cultural exposure that students can gain from studying abroad, noting that no student she has spoken to has regretted their semester abroad. Williams remarked, “While going abroad is not required at the College of Arts and Sciences, there is a real level of self-discovery that comes from the experience.”

The new program, Health and Science in Madrid, allows science and pre-health students to spend a semester in Madrid during their sophomore year, offering courses such as Cross-Cultural Psychology and Healthcare in Europe. This initiative aims to provide science students with the opportunity to engage in an enriching academic and cultural experience while staying on track with their coursework.

As the first group of science students prepares to embark on their semester in Madrid this fall, the College of Arts and Sciences hopes to make the Health and Science in Madrid program an annual offering. The program's success and high level of student interest may lead to its expansion to include additional majors in the future.

The introduction of the Health and Science in Madrid program aligns with A&S’ Academic Strategic Plan, emphasizing the importance of expanding global opportunities for students. For more information about this exciting opportunity, interested individuals can visit the Syracuse Abroad website.