Swarthmore College
University Information
Swarthmore College encourages its students to spend a semester or year studying abroad as an important part of their degree programs. Regardless of your fields of study at Swarthmore, your college education is likely to be enhanced by study abroad; and your post-graduate life, increasingly, will require of you an understanding of the international world for constructive citizenship and success in your chosen endeavors.
In recent years, Swarthmore students have successfully completed study abroad in more than a hundred different programs organized in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Continental Europe, the English-speaking world (Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand), Latin America and Oceania. Approximately forty percent of Swarthmore students study abroad during their undergraduate careers.
For your exploration of study abroad possibilities as they may be relevant to you, the College has in place a system to advise and assist you at all states of the planning and preparation process, while you are abroad, and after you return.
Important Dates and Deadlines
No important dates configured."It was beyond worthwhile! This program is transitioning to have more of a gender/sexuality focus in coming years which I highly recommend! "
Ray C Swarthmore College
"I leanred alot. But mainly I learned to not be afraid and to go out and try new things. You can only learn and grow from yesterday. Yes, it was defintely worthwhile. "
Michael N Swarthmore College
"I learned how to listen better, to opposing ideas as well as to criticism. I learned some much-needed patience, humility, and grit. I picked up some new hobbies (like photography), encouraged by program peers and mentors. I learned how to manage cross-cultural personal relationships, picking up some conflict-resolution and crisi..."
Zane I Swarthmore College
"I improved my french enormously, I was able to genuinely integrate into a different culture and country, and I built all of these skills of open-mindedness, resilience, confidence, and others. I was supported at all times, and APA gave me the tools to feel at home in this new city, with constant excursions, shows, and workshops...."
Colin Howell Swarthmore College
"Need lots of patience, and need to be okay with alone time."
A student Swarthmore College
"We got to study climate change and the Arctic first hand and this is not an opportunity many people get. I feel like I gained more than I thought I ever would form this experience. "
A student Swarthmore College
"I had a wonderful time in France with APA! The language immersion really improved my skills. The events we had planned such as neighborhood visits, and weekend excursions were super fun and gave a lot of great historical overview. Academics were not too challenging but I still had some work to do with the language on a college l..."
Chris Precise Swarthmore College
"Definitely a worthwhile experience"
Eddie Wu Swarthmore College
"I learned about the beauty of language and how the world is much bigger than what I can simply perceive in my bubble in the US."
A student Swarthmore College
"I gained a great deal from my experience abroad. I learned to integrate myself in a culture and adapt to a different lifestyle. I learned to communicate in a different language and not be afraid to make mistakes. I learned to stay calm and overcome challenges. I learned to seek out learning opportunities outside of the classroom..."
Clare Cushing Swarthmore College
"I learned so much about traveling and interacting with a new culture. It was absolutely a worthwhile experience!"
Alex Marsh Swarthmore College
"My language skills improved a lot, I met some great people, did some great traveling. Definitely worthwhile!"
A student Swarthmore College
"I went into the program focused on the academic aspects, namely improving my french language skills and familiarizing with the French university system. I achieved all of my goals in terms of academic improvement and I feel I was able to integrate French culture very well. I feel like the culture I learned about experienced and ..."
A student Swarthmore College
"CONFIDENCE!"
Rebekah Swarthmore College
"My experience abroad helped my to better my understanding of the French language and my understanding of myself. I learned to be independent and comfortable being alone, away from my support systems. It truly allowed me to grow into myself."
A student Swarthmore College
"It was definitely worth while. Our short two weeks together felt like months! This trip gave me a new perspective of sustainable communities and helped me to better understand all that's being done to make a more inclusive, sustainable, and connected world. "
Bridget Scott` Swarthmore College
"My trip abroad was extremely worthwhile. I found it fascinating to live in a city so different from my own. I felt I learned a lot in the process of adjusting to a new culture and being outside of my comfort zone. "
A student Swarthmore College
"Language, culture, food, friends! "
Ferial Berjawi Swarthmore College
"My Spanish skills improved a lot. and I loved learning about Spanish culture. Definitely worthwhile."
Marieme Diop Swarthmore College
"The programme organised a show to go to each week, so I was really exposed to the art scene and saw a lot of art I hadn't seen before "
k Swarthmore College
"It was worthwhile. I loved going back to Spain, and seeing its metropolitan capital. "
A student Swarthmore College
"I learned how to immerse myself in a different culture and be more comfortable in doing things by myself and discovering new places. "
Kat Galvis Swarthmore College
"I gained a deep understanding of the French culture and way of life. I gained the ability to make new friends from completely different cultures and backgrounds, and the ability to travel independently across countries. I learned thoroughly about French politics and customs, while improving my ability to speak the French languag..."
Rodrigo Hernandez Swarthmore College
"The program was everything that I hoped it would be and more. I had the absolute time of my life and have truly grown so much as a person as a result of my time there. My Spanish is better, I've learned an incredible amount about plants, animals and the environment, and I'm just a more confident person in general. This program w..."
A student Swarthmore College
"I learned how to live comfortably in another country very unlike my own and improved my Japanese skills. It was definitely a worthwhile experience. "
A student Swarthmore College
