Montclair Students Travel the World for Hands-On Learning

Montclair State University students took their learning global this semester, traveling to Mexico, Austria, Iceland and Panama on faculty-led study abroad programs. From hiking volcanic landscapes to journaling in the streets of Mérida, these immersive experiences brought coursework to life, offering students a chance to engage with the world beyond the classroom. 

Faculty-led programs are a key part of Montclair’s study abroad offerings, which include short-term, semester-long and year-long opportunities in more than 50 countries. The programs continue to expand, says Tim White, director of International Academic Initiatives. 

“We have more professors, more programs, more students overall studying abroad,” White says. “The students are stepping up, and they’re really excited to see the world and experience what they’re learning. If they’re studying glaciers or Mexican history, now they’re seeing it firsthand. It’s really quite powerful.”

Learning Beyond Borders

Whether measuring tectonic plate movement in Iceland, meeting business leaders in Panama, or exploring sustainable entrepreneurship in Austria, these global experiences do more than broaden students’ perspectives.

“Intercultural skills and cross-cultural communication are incredibly valuable for just about any career – nursing, medicine, art, business, government, law. These programs build skills that make students more employable,” says White. 

Damaris Castillo, a senior Public and Professional Writing major who participated in a travel writing trip to Mérida, Mexico, adds: “These trips push students to take agency over themselves – to ask questions, to speak up when they’re in a foreign place. That kind of confidence stays with you.” 

Reporting from the Field: Journalism in San Francisco

Not all study-away experiences take students abroad. Some focus on critical domestic issues, like the recent reporting trip to San Francisco, where News Producer Steve McCarthy led students from the School of Communication and Media to cover pressing topics in California. 

Senior Public Relations major Peter Guziejewski reflects: “Montclair has been instrumental in shaping my journey as a media professional, giving me opportunities to develop skills in journalism and content production.” 

Making an Impact: Rebuilding Homes in North Carolina

Service is also a key part of the Montclair experience. Over spring break, students traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, to help rebuild homes devastated by Hurricane Helene as part of a Bonner Leader Program project. 

Freshman Rhamses Sarmiento, a Journalism and Political Science major, worked alongside volunteers from All Hands and Hearts, a disaster relief nonprofit. 

“I got to do a great service, though it was back-breaking work – mostly construction. But it was rewarding to know that some houses I helped rebuild will stay with the homeowners,” Sarmiento says. 

Exploring Culture and Storytelling in Mexico

In Mexico, students used storytelling to document their experiences. Led by Writing Studies Professors Caroline Dadas and Christine Giancatarino, they explored historical sites like Chichén Itzá, swam in cenotes and connected with local students in Mérida. 

The course encourages students to use writing as a tool for reflection – capturing the places they visit, the food they try and the challenges they encounter while traveling. Throughout the trip, they recorded their impressions and will refine these writings into polished pieces inspired by their journey, Dadas explains. 

Chasing Glaciers and the Northern Lights in Iceland

Montclair students traveled to Iceland to study the island’s geological and environmental systems. Led by Earth and Environmental Studies professors Greg Pope and Josh Galster, they visited a marine science lab to learn about invasive species, explored the Reykjanes geoheritage park, and witnessed tectonic plates shifting, volcanic craters, erupting geysers and countless waterfalls. 

The trip also took them to Grindavik, a small town evacuated due to volcanic activity. Students learned how Icelanders harness geothermal energy to grow fresh produce, generate electricity, and heat homes. They swam in geothermal pools and watched the Northern Lights dance across the sky. 

“When studying the Earth, the timescales involved can be hard to understand since some things happen over thousands or millions of years. In Iceland, time seems sped up – events happen over months or years. Students saw geysers erupt in seconds, measured cracks between tectonic plates, and witnessed months-old lava flows and melting glaciers,” Galster explains. 

Driving Sustainability in Austria 

In Austria, Montclair students partnered with students from the University of Graz to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges. They met with eco-entrepreneurs, mapped out stakeholders, and explored ways to drive social change. 

“Our week in Graz mirrored our mission – meeting with experts, refining our projects, and developing ideas that could have real-world impact,” says Jason Frasca, co-director of the MIX Lab. 

Ethical Business in Panama

In Panama, students examined the social impact and ethics of business, exploring moral decision-making and fair labor practices. Led by Young (Gabriel) Jung, assistant professor of Management, and Mariella Hernandez Salazar, director of Global Programs and Partnerships at the Feliciano School of Business, they met with leaders in banking, accounting and manufacturing to better understand Panama’s role in the global economy. 

Senior Luke Laukaitis highlighted a conversation with a top banking official, who shared career advice and strategies for professional growth. 

Back in class, students reflected on their visit to the Panama Canal and marveled at Panama City’s skyline – the tallest in Latin America – as well as the stark contrasts between its modern skyscrapers, colonial history, indigenous communities and a tropical forest in the heart of the city. 

Making Study Abroad Possible

Senior Nikki Garcia, a Social Media and PR major, took part in the Panama trip thanks to a scholarship. “A lot of students don’t know about these opportunities, but they’re out there, especially for those with financial need,” she says. SOAR Scholarships, offered by Montclair’s International Academic Initiatives, provide: $2,000-$3,000 for semester and summer abroad programs; and $750-$1,500 for short-term, faculty-led programs. 

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