Some lessons can only be learned by stepping beyond the classroom and into the world. For Slippery Rock University student Shaina Overcash, a sophomore biology major from Greencastle (Greencastle-Antrim HS), as well as 18 other SRU students, were able to experience this firsthand as they embarked on a faculty-led study abroad program to Ireland, May 11-19, discovering new cultures, lifelong friendships and a global perspective.
“This was my first time leaving the country, so this was a very new thing for me,” Overcash said.
Stepping onto foreign soil for the first time can be daunting, but study abroad programs at SRU are designed to ease that transition. The University offers students the chance to explore the world in a safe, structured environment, fully supported by dedicated SRU faculty and staff who guide them every step of the way.
Led by Kristie Abbs and Bonnie Marsh, assistant professors of social work, this safety net allows students to step out of their comfort zones and fully immerse themselves in the experience, both academically and socially.
“Students traveling abroad used their skill sets to learn about themselves, others and expand their understanding of how the world fits into their personal and professional goals,” Abbs said.
When in Ireland, Overcash found herself in a unique position. While this trip abroad specialized in experiences for social work majors, Overcash studies biology. However, this difference did not place her at a disadvantage.
“Despite it not focusing on my area of study, I still learned a lot about the major and I think it’s important to be well-rounded,” Overcash said. “I don’t think you should just have one path, so I recommend this experience to other students, even if it’s not specifically what they are doing. You learn about things you probably would never be exposed to.”
While the group’s stayed in historic Dublin, Overcash found herself captivated by the broader Irish landscape. Overcash and her classmates spent much of their time out in the scenic countryside, sightseeing and engaging with local traditions. The sheer variety of experiences made it impossible to pick just one favorite moment.
“When I got home, my family asked me what my favorite part of the trip was, and I honestly couldn’t tell them because I had a highlight from every single day,” Overcash said. “We did a lot of traveling and would spend most of the day going out to the countryside. There are a lot of popular sites to see, like the Cliffs of Moher. They were beautiful. We went to castles and had great tour guides who were well educated about their culture.”
Another highlight mentioned by Overcash featured a visit to the Glengowla Mines and Family Farm, a culturally rich experience which brought students closer to the land they were visiting. At the mines and farm, SRU students had the opportunity to experience an underground mine tour, sheep herding, as well as traditional Irish turf cutting demonstrations.
“Exploring the different activities at the Glengowla Mines and Family Farm provided the students a chance to learn how people uphold their Irish culture and traditions,” Abbs said.
While the landscapes and history were breathtaking, and the experiences were ripe with traditional background, the connections built along the way created the deepest impact. One of the most meaningful takeaways for Overcash was the tight-knit community built among the SRU students during their travels.
“I made a lot of new friends, and that’s really special because now I’ll get to see them on campus, and I’ll be able to know that we shared an experience together,” Overcash said. “We all bonded, and I was able to make a lot of really close friends that I will continue to talk to, even after being back for a few weeks.”
Overcash’s journey serves as a testament to the power of global education and how studying abroad expands students’ perspectives, strengthen connections and create lasting personal growth.
Overcash was one of more than 160 SRU students to travel abroad this year as part of the University’s study abroad programs. They include eight short-terms programs led by faculty members and administrators, like the one Overcash benefitted from, but there’s also monthlong or semester-long programs where students earn academic credit at partner institutions that are applied to their SRU degree. Additionally, more than 20 education majors completed their student-teaching requirements in Spain. All told, SRU students learned in 30 different countries last year.
“Students can study abroad from any major, for any length of time, in any place in the world — it is self-designed,” said Jenny Kawata, SRU’s director of global exchanges and partnerships. “Many of our students who travel abroad say that it is the most impactful experience that they’ve had during their time in college. It makes a big difference for attracting and retaining students, and, most importantly, setting them up to succeed.”
More information about study abroad programs at SRU is available on the University’s website or by calling 724.738.2057.
