Simmons University is seeing growing student interest in studying abroad for the upcoming spring semester. According to the Center of Global Education (CGE), while participation dipped slightly last fall, spring numbers have rebounded which reflects renewed enthusiasm for international learning. In response to this increased interest, Simmons has expanded its offerings by adding five new study abroad programs.
The new programs introduced for Spring 2026 are Melbourne, Australia at Deakin University; Gold Coast, Australia at Griffith University; Auckland/Wellington, New Zealand at Massey University; Stirling, Scotland at University of Stirling; and Lisbon, Portugal at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. These programs will also be available to students during Fall 2026 which provides additional flexibility for those planning ahead.
This spring, Simmons currently has 19 students studying abroad, along with two students who participated in programs during the January break. Looking ahead, there will be eight students in the Summer 2026 programs and 19 for Fall 2026, although this number may change after deposits are due.
In addition to semester-long programs, short winter-term courses and summer internships are also attracting more students. Meg McCulloch, CGE’s Global Education Advisor at Simmons University emphasized that studying abroad “gives students a new and valuable perspective,” which help them return more confident, independent, and with skills that support their future careers.
Grace Hamilton, a senior majoring in nursing, described her first international experience with the CGE and the School for International Training (SIT) in Switzerland for Summer 2025 as transformative. “I had never left the country before this, and the advisors at SIT and within the CGE were amazing at answering questions and ensuring I had everything I needed,” she said.
Reflecting on the experience, Hamilton added, “My study abroad truly changed my life for the better, and I would recommend it to anyone that can go.”
Thea Forrest, a senior double majoring in public health and environmental science, noted that studying abroad gives you a bigger perspective on the world and yourself, and it’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you come home.
“Experiencing culture firsthand taught me what no textbook or guidebook could ever,” said Forrest. “In the lab, I got to work with plants native to Asia and specifically Thailand, performing cross-sectioning to study unique plant structures… a very cool experience.”
Forest spent her Spring 2025 in Thailand and got the chance to study plant biology, which is no longer offered at Simmons as a class.
“Getting to learn about biodiversity while witnessing it hiking through the forests on weekend trips in Chiang Mai or exploring island plant diversity in Ko Samet, will forever shape the way I understand ecosystems and the relationships between environment, culture and daily life,” Forrest added.
The CGE encourages students interested in studying abroad to explore Simmons-approved programs, which qualify for the homeschooled tuition model and allow the use of Simmons financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. Many partner providers also offer need-based awards, and the CGE supports students pursuing external funding opportunities such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the Fund for Education Abroad, and other national scholarships. With these expanding options, students at Simmons have the opportunity to go their own way.
