How Travel Courses Are Opening
Doors for Students Across the Globe

From Marist Magazine — For Brianna Perez-Quiroz '27, a week in Yucatán wasn’t just a study abroad opportunity—it was a homecoming through an academic lens.

The Political Science and History major, with minors in Latin American Studies and Global Studies, spent spring break 2025 in Mexico as part of a Marist Attachment Course, otherwise known as a travel course. This is a distinctive program in which a semester spent learning in the classroom culminates with a 10-to-14- day trip to global destinations to explore firsthand the topic they studied.

Nearly 200 students traveled to 14 destinations worldwide this semester as part of these travel courses. Access to such a unique form of learning allowed Brianna to immerse herself in the history and culture she’d long examined, forging a personal connection to her heritage in ways no classroom ever could.

"We weren’t just learning about culture, we were living it," said Brianna. "We touched on history, but we also experienced it."

From exploring the ancient city of Uxmal to sharing a traditional Mayan meal in a local home, Brianna’s experience was both academic and deeply personal. It strengthened her confidence, deepened her career ambitions in foreign service, and fostered bonds with fellow students that will last a lifetime.

Accessible by Design

Nearly half of all Marist students study abroad— five times the national average. And while semester-long programs remain popular, short-term programs are growing nationwide.

Among these, Marist’s travel courses stand out as a distinctive part of the University’s global engagement model. By offering a wide range of faculty-led, creditbearing programs that combine semester coursework with focused travel, Marist makes global experiences increasingly accessible and appealing.

A key driver of that accessibility: the Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience. Launched in 2021, the fund provides financial assistance to remove cost as a barrier to participation for students like Brianna.

President Kevin Weinman, who established the fund with his wife, Beth, sees it as essential to the University’s mission.

Since its inception, the Presidential Fund for Equity has significantly broadened access to transformative academic experiences at Marist. Kevin and Beth have committed $750,000 to help ensure more students can take part in experiences like these. The fund has also received support from 100% of the University’s Board of Trustees and many individual donors, ensuring access to global learning opportunities for Marist students.

“Global learning should be accessible to everyone,” he said. “I’ve had the privilege of traveling with several of these classes to places like Greece and England, and Beth and our kids Alex and Brooke, and I recently joined a trip in Iceland and have seen firsthand how transformative the experience can be—for students and faculty alike. We want to expand this opportunity to more Marist students, regardless of financial circumstances.”

To date, the fund has supported more than 300 students, providing meaningful grants that help more students say yes to study abroad and internships, regardless of their financial situation.

A Catalyst for Growth

Research supports what Marist students already know: study abroad builds problem-solving skills, adaptability, intercultural competence, and global awareness. It prepares students to succeed—not just in the classroom, but in the world. And at Marist, it has become a core part of the learning experience for students across all areas of study.

“Travel courses play a key role in bringing Marist to the world and the world to Marist,” said President Weinman. “Students return with more than memories—they bring back transformed perspectives on their studies, their careers, and the world itself.”

According to the IES Survey, 96% of students who traveled abroad reported increased self-confidence, and 95% said their study abroad experience has had a lasting impact on their worldview—illustrating how global learning opportunities can shape students’ futures.

For recent graduate Lauren Kidwell '25, participating in three different travel courses while at Marist—from Italy to South Africa to Ireland and Scotland— meant continually stepping outside her comfort zone and discovering how rewarding that leap could be.

She signed up for her first course not knowing a single classmate on the roster and returned home with friendships she still cherishes. In South Africa, a day spent at a rural high school—paired with a local student just three years younger—left a lasting impression.

"Our lives couldn’t have been more different," she said "but none of that mattered. It reminded me how powerful human connection can be." These experiences didn’t just deepen her academic understanding of global business and history—they broadened her worldview, strengthened her confidence, and inspired a lasting desire to keep exploring unfamiliar places with open eyes and an open heart.