Study Abroad & Study Away

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The English Department is committed to helping students get the most out of their academic experience. One way to enrich your college years is to study abroad. Western Kentucky University is regarded as one of the best institutions for getting students abroad, and with so many different programs, scholarship opportunities, and faculty that are willing to help, it is easy to see why.

Perhaps you will roam the streets of London and explore the English  countryside while studying British literature. You might desire a trip to  France or Italy to delve into long traditions of art and fine culture. Perhaps  you will travel to a third-world country to provide aid and assistance to  those less fortunate. Wherever your path beckons you, Western Kentucky University, and more specifically, the English Department, will help you get there.

If you are not quite sure you want to leave the country just yet, you can  stay within our borders through a number of study away programs. These excursions are often led by faculty and  offer three to six hours of course credit. For example, Dr. Ted Hovet and  Dr. Dawn Hall often lead a group of students each year to the Sundance Film Festival.

You may ask yourself: "What does study abroad have to do with an English degree?" There are multiple reasons why study abroad or study away can enhance your English degree. First, from a practical standpoint, it makes you stand out. Leaving your university on a multiple-week trip to a non-familiar place shows that you are willing to go outside of your comfort zone and take responsibility for yourself. If you go to a non-English speaking country or to a place with a radically different culture, it shows you are willing to put yourself in challenging situations and adapt to new environments.

Apart from its résumé-enhancing abilities, study abroad and study away are both wonderful opportunities to create an experience you will never forget. Whether you want to explore the museums of Paris, climb the mountains of Norway, see lions in Africa, experience Kabuki theatre in Japan, or discover what treasures lie right here in the United States, the study abroad and WKU English staff are eager to help students achieve their dreams of traveling the world.