Where are we going?
Where have we been?
Student Spotlight
Emma Franklin
Studying abroad in Nepal was the most unique experience of my life so far. Being immersed in Nepali culture—whether we were touring Buddhist monasteries in Pokhara or trekking through the mountains of the Mustang region—filled me with awe, wonder, and curiosity. Studying in Nepal enabled me to learn through experience; we got to see what we had been studying before the abroad in real life, which solidified the learning for me. I’ll never forget our host family at one of the villages who cooked us delicious food from their kitchen, the kindness of the trekking guides, and the conversations we had with herders on the sides of mountains. Grateful is an understatement!
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Nikki Gamrath
Educational theorists, John Dewey, believed that meaningful learning happens through experience. I agree with Dewey that education is not simply about the transmission of knowledge, but about engaging with the world in ways that challenge and expand thinking. Studying abroad offers rich, immersive, experiences where students learn not from just lectures and textbooks, but through interaction with different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. I see the Principia Study Abroad opportunity as a prime example of authentic experiential learning- where students encounter new situations, navigate unfamiliar environments, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
As a lifelong learner and educator, I see these unique Principia study abroad offerings as an essential part of our curriculum where students engage with the world in ways that aligns with our academic vision of character building, spiritual growth, and global citizenship. I know firsthand that the Principia study abroad programs I have facilitated have been transformative experiences for students that complement and enhance our already excellent education at Principia.
Alumni Spotlight
Kynan Witters-Hicks (C’14)
Sustainability Officer and Assistant Professor at Principia College
“It is fun for me to come back to my alma mater where my interest in sustainable business began, and where I’ll taking over for my first sustainability professor to teach and direct progress on Principia’s own environmental, social and economic initiatives!
For me, it all began on a college study abroad in Peru where I saw firsthand how a thriving but overzealous fishing industry collided with one of the most ecologically productive coastal ecosystems in the world. Without dedicated effort – making the business case for conservation and moderation, policy making, and grassroots organizing – neither the animal life nor the industry would last forever. This education had a lifelong impact on me, and I hope to help make that impact on others.”