Study Abroad

The Music Department encourages students to consider study abroad as part of their undergraduate education.  Programs are available for individual semesters, J-Term, summer or full-year.  Study abroad programs for music majors include Vienna, Paris, London, Milan and Belfast. Many of these programs offer performance and music lesson opportunities.  For detailed information regarding the UST Study Abroad Program, please visit the Study Abroad homepage: www.stthomas.edu/studyabroad.

Hannah Sieling, Class of 2009, offered the following thoughts about her semester abroad in Belfast, Northern Ireland:

If I chose one word to describe my international experience it would be: brilliant! My five months abroad in Belfast, Northern Ireland and traveling were absolutely amazing. Before leaving Minnesota I did not know anyone who lived in Belfast, and only one other American was attending the university. This was a challenge that both frightened and inspired me, and I definitely made the right decision. Not knowing anyone forced me to step out of my comfort zone immediately and create a new life in Belfast.

I met new people, encountered new traditions and beliefs, joined new activities, and learned to live in a different country. I developed friendships not only with the Irish students, but other international students from all over Europe. We taught each other about our cultures and beliefs, and in doing so, I learned more about myself and the American culture.

Since high school studying abroad had been a dream of mine. When I switched my major to Music Education after my freshman year, I thought I was too behind to study abroad and complete my degree in four years. It is tough to fit in study abroad with the music and education classes. However, by planning ahead and checking into several study abroad options, it is possible. I rearranged my class schedule to create a semester of mostly generals. I fulfilled my science requirement (Biology), Social Analysis requirement (Social Geography), a philosophy requirement, and a requirement for my degree - Western Music History. It was easier for me to find equivalent core courses at my university abroad than music classes. While abroad you can still participate in a band or choir and take lessons to keep up your music. Depending on where you study, it might be fun to take a class about the traditional music of that country!

The study abroad experience is the opportunity of a lifetime. It has taught me about other cultures, about my own culture, strengthened my independence, opened my mind to new ideas, and mostly, it helped me discover who I was. If you are interested in studying abroad, look into options as soon as possible to make it work - you won't regret it!

- Hannah Sieling, Class of 2009