Sewanee Around the Globe

Last month, Sewanee welcomed 23 new students from 15 different countries to the Mountain with one of the most geographically diverse cohorts of undergraduate students—the Class of 2028. Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will enrich our campus in ways that we are excited to see!

From our home on the Cumberland Plateau to the corners of the world, we are united in our pursuit of knowledge and growth. Together we will build lasting friendships, explore new ideas and create unforgettable memories. 

Welcome to new beginnings and a journey full of learning, discovery and connection. #GlobalSewanee #YSR #Sewanee

New Zealand: Sustainability & Global Environmental Change
Sewanee's New Zealand field course is back! In January 2024, 13 students joined Professors Torreano and Ezell from the Department of Earth & Environmental Systems on an adventure to New Zealand as part of the Sustainability & Global Change seminar. The students encountered volcanoes, geothermal pools, ancient tree ferns, endangered flightless birds, seals, whales, and gigantic kauri trees, all while learning about the history of human land use and emerging issues in sustainability within this island nation. Professor Van de Ven has joined the instructor team, and this trip will now be running annually, with an alternating focus on sustainable forestry & geologic history (next trip: January 2025) and biodiversity & conservation (next trip: January 2026). The application process occurs in the Easter semester. (Program pictured above.)

Japan & Taiwan: Buddhism & Tea Culture
Eight students explored connections between Buddhism and tea culture in Japan and Taiwan with Associate Professor of Art and Art History Alison Miller and Associate Director of Global Citizenship Marcus Murphy.

Sewanee Summer in England
Ten students traveled to England with Theatre Professor Jim Crawford and Classics Professor Chris McDonough to study theatre, classics, and culture in England. 

Dynamics of Asian Business
Nine students immersed themselves in the business ecosystems of Singapore and Vietnam led by Myles Elledge, director of the Babson Center for Global Commerce.

Spanish Immersion in Healthcare
Seven students interested in both Spanish language and a career in medicine traveled to Burgos, Spain, where they shadowed medical professionals and had an incredible opportunity to practice their Spanish language skills in a medical context. Led by Spanish Professor Arturo Marquez-Gomez and Associate Director of Medical & Health Programs and Biology instructor Cynthia Gray.

Island Ecology
Students studied geology, hydrology, soils, plant communities, land use, coastal marine biology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate ecology and animal behavior for five weeks on St. Catherines Island with an all star team of faculty: Professor of Biology Deborah McGrath, Professor of Biology David Haskell, Assistant Professor of Environmental Systems Keri Watson, Associate Professor of Biology Kristen Cecala, and Tom Howick.

Click here for more information on faculty led programs during the summer.

It is not too late to register for the Sewanee Semester in Spain. The program focuses on contemporary Spain and its relationship to and membership in the European Union. The program is interdisciplinary in nature, with each course looking at a variety of issues from multiple perspectives. It has been carefully conceived and designed for all Sewanee students, no matter their major, who are interested in Spanish culture, life, and language. And it is ideal for Spanish majors and minors and for IGS majors/minors with a geographical concentration in Europe and Spanish language. At the end of the program, students will have completed a full Sewanee semester (16 hours).

Ten of Sewanee’s volunteer firefighters traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica, for the first annual Sewanee Volunteer Firefighters summer study away program! The firefighters spent 35 days working with the National Academy of Fire Fighters of Costa Rica, engaging with local fire departments in service-learning activities, and taking courses at Veritas University.

This summer the Office of Global Citizenship and Career Readiness collaborated to send six students to East and Southeast Asia for fully funded internships through the Freeman Asia Internship Program. This inaugural cohort of students included: Andrew Quinonez, C’27 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia); Jillian Thurston, C’26 (Seoul, Korea—pictured below); Jennifer Quispe, C’25 (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam); Ethan Woodward, C’27 (Kyoto, Japan); Natalie Huckabay, C’25 (Hanoi, Vietnam); and Erik Gaiser, C’27 (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam). From marketing at a cosmetics company in Seoul to real estate research in Ho Chi Minh, the students gained extremely valuable professional experience and we are excited to welcome them back to share their newly developed intercultural competencies and knowledge with the Sewanee community.

The Freeman Asian Internship program is made possible by a generous grant from the Freeman Foundation and additional support was provided through the generosity of Sewanee alumni donors.

For the summer of 2025, we hope to send 10 students with support of up to $9,500 for an eight-week internship in Asia. If you are interested in learning more, head over to our Freeman Asia Internship page or reach out to Marcus Murphy.

This past summer, Sewanee Language Camps hosted 34 high school students from across the country for two-week long immersion language programs here on campus. For the STARTALK Chinese Language Camp, 20 students from 10 different states were able to join the program on full scholarship thanks to funding from the NSA. This was the fourth year Sewanee has hosted a Chinese Language Camp. For the second year in a row, Sewanee hosted a Spanish Language Camp directed by Ben Bradshaw and hosted 14 students from nine different states. 

For the summer of 2025, STARTALK will once again be funding full scholarships for 20 students to join the Chinese Language Camp. The Spanish Language Camp hopes to welcome 20 students to campus during the summer of 2025 as well. Applications should open in October and both camps are tentatively taking place June 15 to June 29, 2025. 

If you are interested in sharing more about these camps with a high schooler, head over to the pre-college programs site. If you are a current college student and interested in serving as a counselor for the language camps, reach out to Marcus Murphy. 

Friday, 

Sept. 27

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Office of Global Citizenship

Family Weekend Open House at the Office of Global Citizenship

Bring your family and friends and come connect with the staff of the Office of Global Citizenship. This is a great time to learn more about study away opportunities and the process for taking advantage of the Sewanee Pledge.

Friday, 

Nov. 1

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Office of Global Citizenship

Homecoming Weekend Open House at the Office of Global Citizenship

A great opportunity for some of our current students to connect with alumni and learn more about the global opportunities that await them beyond the gates!