From clinics in London to newsrooms in Paris and classrooms in Tanzania, College of Communication Arts and Sciences students spent the summer expanding their perspectives while gaining hands-on experience around the world.
This summer marked a record year for ComArtSci's faculty-led education abroad programs, with 139 students participating in seven programs across Europe and Africa. That's nearly double last summer's participation, when 78 students took part in four faculty-led programs.
As the nation's leading university for education abroad, Michigan State University continues to provide students with opportunities to learn alongside global experts while experiencing different cultures, industries and communities firsthand. Across ComArtSci, those experiences complement classroom learning with immersive, real-world opportunities that prepare students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.
This year's programs ranged from studying communication disorders alongside internationally recognized clinicians in the United Kingdom to exploring global advertising in Scandinavia, reporting on international sports in Paris and Rome, and designing technology solutions for schools in Tanzania. Together, they reflect the college's commitment to preparing students with the global perspective, professional experience and cultural understanding that define a ComArtSci education.
Here's a look at the seven faculty-led ComArtSci education abroad programs that took students across the globe this summer.
Advertising and Public Relations a la Mediterranean
Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) Instructor Allison Siarto and Jeff Siarto, professor of practice and interim director of the UXMS Program in the Department of Media and Information (M&I), immersed 36 students in global advertising and public relations through experiences in Rome, Italy, and Cannes, France.Students spent a week at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the world's premier celebration of excellence in advertising, marketing and communications, while learning from international industry professionals, including creative brand director Fabrizio Caperna.
Beyond the classroom, students explored how brands adapt across cultures through hands-on field research. They compared retail experiences between the United States and Europe, developed advertising and public relations campaigns promoting lesser-known destinations in Rome to different audiences and examined how history continues to influence modern branding during guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican Museums.
The program also immersed students in Italian culture through experiences such as a pasta- and tiramisu-making class, neighborhood tours and time exploring Rome alongside classmates. Together, these experiences encouraged students to think more critically about audiences, storytelling and strategic communication across cultures.
Advertising and Public Relations in Scandinavia
Assistant Professor in ADPR Edward Timke led 14 students from six majors across MSU on a May-to-June education abroad experience in Oslo, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, where they explored how communication is shaped by transparency, accessibility, sustainability and inclusion. The timing of the program allowed students to experience each country's national celebrations while learning how cultural values influence strategic communication.
Students learned from faculty and industry professionals at Kristiania University and the Stockholm School of Economics. They also visited organizations including the U.S. embassies in Oslo and Stockholm, the Norwegian Communication Association, Norwegian Marketing Association, Fulbright Commission of Sweden, Nobel Peace Center, Oslo City Hall, Berghs School of Communication, the Swedish Centre for Business History and ReTuna, the world's first recycling mall.
Throughout the program, students completed ethnographic research projects examining strategic communication across a variety of settings, including retail stores, public transit, public spaces and social media. They also participated in immersive cultural experiences, from an inclusive communication improv workshop and a ferry ride through Stockholm's archipelago to a reception at the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden's residence and a traditional Swedish fika after visiting one of the country's largest rune stones.
Together, these academic, professional and cultural experiences challenged students to think more critically about how communication can build trust, strengthen communities and create more inclusive organizations across cultures.
International Advertising in Cannes, France
Professor in ADPR Julie Beaty led 20 students on a behind-the-scenes look at the global advertising industry during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Thanks to ComArtSci alumni and industry partners, students received behind-the-scenes access to some of the world's leading brands, including Netflix, Pinterest, Spotify, Publicis and NBCUniversal.
Throughout the week, students toured exclusive brand activations, met with marketing and advertising executives, and learned firsthand about careers in global communications. Many of the visits were made possible by alumni who continue to mentor ComArtSci students long after graduation, including Casey Hurbis, Chad Ruminger, Jill Downing and Greg Myrick.
Several experiences included access to invitation-only spaces at Cannes Lions, giving students a firsthand look at how major brands engage clients, launch campaigns and build relationships during one of the advertising industry's most influential events. The program also gave students unparalleled opportunities to expand their professional networks while gaining a deeper understanding of the creative and strategic work driving modern advertising.
Public Relations in the United Kingdom
Professor in ADPR Susan McFarlane-Alvarez and Associate Professor in ADPR Jennifer McDermitt led 18 students through a five-week program centered on a real-world sustainability communications project. Working with U.K.-based nonprofit Rewired Earth, students developed strategic communication recommendations supporting the launch of the University of Sussex's new sustainability hub. They presented their final campaign to leaders from Rewired Earth, the University of Sussex and King's College London, with university officials indicating the recommendations would help inform future planning.
Beyond the client project, students explored international public relations through site visits to organizations including Edelman London, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Foundation, Holyrood PR, Hampton Court Palace and Guinness London, gaining insight into corporate communications, sports public relations, heritage tourism and sustainability communication.
The combination of professional site visits and client-based learning gave students practical public relations experience while demonstrating how strategic communication can help organizations address complex global challenges.
Communication Disorders in the United Kingdom
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer, the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders' (CSD) longstanding education abroad program was led by Associate Professor and Associate Chair in CSD Jeff Searl. Students learned from internationally recognized clinicians and researchers while participating in communication support groups for people living with aphasia, stuttering and the effects of laryngectomy, all while exploring London's history and culture.
For CSD student Isabel Pascua, one of the most meaningful moments came during an afternoon with a local laryngectomee choir.
"After singing together, we had the opportunity to sit down in small groups and hear their personal stories," she said. "It was an amazing afternoon and something I'll remember forever."
The experience strengthened Pascua's commitment to becoming a speech-language pathologist.
"This experience changed my perspective about my future career by helping me realize that building meaningful relationships with my future clients is just as important as helping them through communication challenges," she said. "It reminded me that speech-language pathology is so much more than therapy."
Sports Media in Paris and Rome
Brandt Fellow Sports Journalist in Residence in the School of Journalism Joanne Gerstner and nationally recognized sports journalist Jane McManus immersed students in the global sports industry through firsthand reporting experiences and behind-the-scenes access. Over six weeks, students met with professionals from organizations including the Italian National Olympic Committee, Agence France-Presse, Eurosport and the Vatican, attended the French Open at Roland-Garros and produced professional-quality multimedia stories throughout the program.
For ADPR student Danny Leder, one of the highlights was experiencing European basketball culture firsthand.
"Attending a Paris Basketball game against Cholet was unforgettable," he said. "We had amazing seats close to the court and got to immerse ourselves in European sports culture."
The experience also broadened students' understanding of the global sports industry.
Olivia Stanger said meeting industry leaders across Europe and attending internationally recognized sporting events gave her a new perspective on the profession.
"I have always known the sports industry is international, but there is a difference between knowing and experiencing it," she said. "The past four weeks opened my eyes to a broader, multicultural perspective in the most memorable way."
Both students said the combination of professional networking, cultural immersion and experiential learning made the program one of the most impactful opportunities of their time at MSU.
Designing Technology Solutions for Schools in Africa
Associate Professor in M&I Jenny Olson led students from multiple disciplines as they used technology to address real-world challenges in East Africa. Supported by ComArtSci, the College of Engineering and the Honors College, the program combines education abroad, research and service through a human-centered design approach that emphasizes collaboration with local schools and communities.
Before beginning fieldwork, students learned about Tanzanian culture and basic Swahili to better understand the communities they served. Working alongside local educators and students, participants helped develop sustainable technology solutions tailored to each school's unique needs, from supporting digital learning environments to improving access to educational technology.
The experience gave students firsthand opportunities to apply technical knowledge, communication skills and problem-solving abilities in a global setting while creating solutions designed for long-term sustainability.
By Claire Dippel