Since the outbreak of COVID-19, students have become restless underneath burdens of self-isolation and travel bans. As restrictions have lessened, students desire to travel and study abroad have grown exponentially.

There are many students who cannot afford take the time off school or work for a whole semester. Quincy University offers short-term study abroad trips that are designed to be integrated into a student’s normal academic year. Students will take a class about the country they are traveling to, then they will travel to said country during the winter or summer break.

“Some students feel more comfortable and safer when they are traveling with QU students and staff,” Kristen Liesen said.

Quincy University had to cancel their study abroad plans last year due to travel restrictions, but there is currently a trip to London planned for January 2022. Due to the amount of interest in the current trip to London, the university is planning an additional London trip that will take place after the following spring semester.

“London would be an interesting place to study. I’d also like to see France and Germany,” Bo Glaser said.

Students looking to take their academic studies to the international level have multiple options at Quincy University. If Quincy University is not currently planning a trip to a student’s interested country, the university can connect students with other programs that are planning those trips.

By collaborating with The College Consortium for International Studies, Quincy University can provide students with a wide variety of country options when traveling abroad.

Quincy University also partners with Loyola University Chicago and Regent’s University London to provide semester-long study programs in Rome and London, but these long-term trips have gone down in popularity at the university, according to Kristen Liesen.

“I haven’t been able to travel much because of Covid. It made everything harder to do,” Macy Hill said.

While most countries have opened back up for tourists, the current spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has caused some countries to re-close their borders and others have implemented travel bans. Students are required to be vaccinated before they can apply to study abroad.

Quincy University students can apply for the study abroad program directly from the school’s website. After applying, students will meet with Kristen Liesen to help decide what country they would like to focus their studies at and what financial aid options they may have access to.

The cost of each trip is varied and can reach up to $6000. To apply for financial aid, students must be in good academic standing, with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students can apply for the Linda Godly Scholarship and the Pearson Scholarship and receive up to $2000 dollars in financial support.

Students are also required to have a semester worth of credits at Quincy University as well as participate in activities of service around campus to show signs of responsible and courteous behavior. Students are also required to respect the culture and laws of the country to which they are traveling.