At the end of the Fall 2021 semester, Marist was ranked nationally as the second-best college for study abroad.

The most recent Open Doors Report ranked Marist second for its semester study abroad programs, second for its academic year study abroad programs and second for the total number of students abroad among master’s-level institutions.

“International engagement has become a signature aspect of the Marist experience, and it is helping our students develop into global citizens and forever changing the way they see and experience the world,” President Kevin C. Weinman said in his spring update.

Marist reported that despite the COVID-19 challenges of studying abroad, the programs are experiencing record enrollments. The college also expanded their programs and now have eight semester abroad options this spring. In addition to programs in Florence, Madrid, Dublin and Paris, the college also reopened its programs in Cork, Ireland, and in Southern France.

During the Fall 2021 semester, Bridget Carroll ’23 got a unique experience abroad. Her main goal when going abroad was to focus on her Spanish speaking skills, so she stayed in the Legazpi section of Madrid with a host mom. Her host mother spoke no English, and four out of the five classes she took were fully in Spanish.

“They were unlike any classes I’ve taken in New York—although I was there to study Spanish, they were more content-focused, so I learned about Spanish history, literature and culture while also developing stronger language skills,” Carroll said.

Although Carroll wasn’t planning to work while in Spain, she got offered an opportunity to babysit and teach English to a family in her condo complex.

“Since I am pursuing a New York teaching certification, it is not permitted for me to take my major classes outside of New York, but working with those girls was such a great opportunity to keep teaching and also learn even more about Spain,” Carroll said. “The opportunity to travel is such a gift, and I feel very thankful I was able to do that during my time here at Marist.”

In addition to traditional study abroad experiences, Marist also offers a range of short-term domestic and international programs. During the spring semester, there will be courses in Denmark, England, France, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the American South, Alaska and Hawaii.

Vincent Manna ’23 is currently abroad for the Spring semester and has already been taking advantage of all there is to offer in Florence and beyond. Manna and his friends have been going to restaurants, sightseeing and have already taken a ski trip to Switzerland for the weekend.

“So far, being abroad is amazing,” Manna said. “Being immersed in a new environment with your friends is like a dream. There are new foods, new friends and new experiences.”

The freshman year programs in Florence and Dublin continue to run well, as do the Florence undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Marist has always enjoyed a high ranking in their study abroad programs. The second-place ranking awarded to Marist in 2021 is the highest score the college has ever received.

Study Abroad Ranks Second in the Country

MARIST CIRCLE