At the end of the day, our ultimate mission at IES Abroad is to increase the number of students who are able to enjoy the unforgettable and life-changing experience of study abroad. To further that mission, we’re proud to be fully funding Arrupe College of Loyola University of Chicago's first-ever study abroad program.
The program—which was designed by our Customized & Faculty-Led Programs team—will be made up of 10 students and three faculty members of Arrupe College, a two-year college of Loyola University of Chicago that continues the Jesuit tradition of offering a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse population with limited financial resources, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue higher education.
“This is an opportunity to give back to our community and collaborate with an institution that is truly and authentically dedicated to broadening access to education to the most diverse generation of students to date,” said Dr. Mary Dwyer, President and CEO of IES Abroad. “Our long-term commitment to Arrupe College will benefit several underrepresented students each year who will participate in experiential learning, cultural immersion, and self-discovery. This collaboration is a direct reflection of IES Abroad’s mission to ensure as many students study abroad as possible, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic class, and supports our goal to cultivate a diverse community of global leaders.”
IES Abroad will be providing the quality resources required to make the program possible, covering everything from airfare and housing to meal and passport application costs. Through our Barcelona Center and staff, students and accompanying faculty will have access to cultural events and site visits, day trips and field trips, and 24/7 emergency support.
The study abroad program, “Culture & Regionalism in Spain,” will take place May 19-29, 2019, and was developed around Arrupe College’s sophomore seminar, Finding Purpose and Identity: A Journey in the Spirit of St. Ignatius. Participating students and faculty will take a 10-day tour of the route of St. Ignatius, beginning with a trip to Navarra and the Basque Country and ending with an extended stay in Barcelona, where they’ll receive an on-site orientation. The route also includes visits to Loyola, San Sebastian, Pamplona, and Javier, as well as the Loyola Sanctuary, Santa María de la Antigua, Arantzazu Sanctuary, and Javier Castle.
In preparation for the program, members of the IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led Programs team visited Arrupe College to meet with students for a predeparture orientation, where they discussed passport applications, packing lists, program schedules, and more. Several other IES Abroad staff members met with students at a later date for a roundtable lunch discussion to cover such topics as communication with family back home, how to document travel experiences, and their expectations for the upcoming program.
Father Stephen Katsouros, S.J., Dean and Executive Director, Arrupe College, who will be accompanying the students on the program, said: “IES Abroad’s partnership with Arrupe is extraordinary, substantive, and multifaceted. First, IES Abroad is providing our students with a study abroad opportunity—a game changer for any student. In addition, IES Abroad is supporting our mission and helping Ignatius and Jesuit history come alive for our students, for my colleagues, and for me. This will positively influence the Arrupe College community when we return.”
Learn more about our Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, or submit an Interest Form to start customizing your own program.
