Notre Dame’s annual Study Abroad Week took place this week, with applications for summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026 programs opening on Sept. 1. The application window will close on Nov. 1 for semester programs and Nov. 15 for summer programs.
With more than 70 semester and academic year programs, over 30 summer programs and over 30 countries represented, the goal of the week for Notre Dame was to promote these opportunities and help students find their best fit.
Speed info sessions were held to provide students with key information on semester programs, including eligibility, housing, courses and finances. Similar sessions were also offered for summer programs.
Some of the most popular programs — such as Ireland, Rome, Jerusalem, Athens and London — held specific information sessions throughout the week. Additionally, events such as Advising on the Fly trivia night, a study abroad mixer and in-hall information sessions with senior fellows were offered to help students explore their options.
Identity panels, new to the program event list, were also organized by Notre Dame’s student government. These panels gave students the chance to hear from peers with diverse backgrounds who have previously studied abroad. Topics covered included race and ethnicity, first-generation low-income advocacy, disability access abroad and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
“The panels are a great way for students from diverse groups to understand what an international experience might look like for them, or how it might be different,” Robert Leis, director of study abroad at Notre Dame, said. “Increasing access and understanding is always going to be the goal.”
“We wanted students to talk to others who were in their shoes, learn from them, and know they’re not alone,” sophomore Bryn Dougherty said, who serves as the DEI disability advocacy director in the student government executive cabinet. “We also wanted to ease their minds about going abroad because it can be daunting, especially for a student with a disability or other barriers.”
Many students are eager to study abroad, and concerns about securing a spot in popular programs — such as Rome or London — are common. Leis advised students to be flexible and make the most of the many study abroad opportunities, including applying for multiple terms.
“Sometimes students feel they’re missing out by going abroad during the fall term, but years down the road, you won’t look back at your semester abroad as missing football season. You’ll see it as a powerful stand-alone experience,” Leis said.
He also noted that there are many more options than students realize. Those who are open to studying in less traditional locations, such as Southeast Asia or Africa, may have a better chance of securing a spot and standing out on applications for graduate schools or jobs.
Assistant director of study abroad James Keating emphasized the importance of specificity in applications.
“The more specific you can be about what classes, internships, research opportunities, etcetera that your desired program offers and how these fit with you academically, personally and professionally, the stronger your application will be,” Keating said.
While students are encouraged to think about how a program fits them, Leis also suggested considering what value they can bring to their host location.
“I think students should always consider how they’re going to positively influence the environment they are in,” Leis said.
Even if students don’t get their top two choices for a semester abroad, they still have options. Summer programs are available, and additional openings will be announced in the spring. Leis encourages students to explore those options as well.
Notre Dame ranks second nationwide for student participation in study abroad programs among doctorate-granting universities, with 77% of students going abroad. This high level of interest may be due to the positive experiences students have each year.
Senior Haley Hotz who is majoring in Spanish and marketing studied in Santiago, Chile last fall. She and 12 other students were immersed in the language and culture, speaking entirely in Spanish.
“I had never been to South America, and it’s scary going somewhere where everything is brand new,” Hotz said. “If you’re debating studying abroad at all, just do it. It’s the best decision I’ve made in my time here.”
Hotz is still in touch with her group from Chile, and they recently reunited with their program director during Study Abroad Week.
Junior Lauren Engates participated in the Rome summer film, television and theatre program after her freshman year.
“I had an awesome time. I learned a whole new level of independence and was able to immerse myself in a different culture. I also met one of my closest friends, and we still get lunch together every week,” Engates said.
Leis emphasized how these experiences serve as a starting point for ongoing cultural exploration and self-reflection.
“I hope students realize studying abroad is the beginning of a pathway, not just a program. You are exposed to a bunch of new external ideas and are forced to confront your own internal culture," Leis said. "It's not just what students learned when they went abroad, it is how much more there is to keep learning by continuous immersion and engagement and new awareness.”
