Trinity Summer Abroad 2026: Going Global

From strolling through Rome's winding cobblestone streets to savoring fresh sushi in a lively Japanese sushi bar, Trinity University students will have no shortage of memorable experiences while they study abroad this summer.

Supported by the Center for International Engagement (CIE), a total of 143 students will travel abroad to various places around the world in the next few months. More than 100 students are participating in Trinity's summer programs, which include longer trips to Mexico, Spain, Italy, China, and Japan as well as shorter trips to Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sicily, Italy.

While exploring a different country promises fun and excitement, it also allows students to get ahead on class credits or participate in an internship while learning in a hands-on way. This opportunity motivated Namo Bajracharya '28 to apply to the Trinity Shanghai Summer Program.

"(China) is such a culturally rich part of this world and there is so much to learn from," Bajracharya says. "I hope to take the skills I learn as an intern there and apply them to my next endeavors."

Kassandra Falcon '27 shares this excitement for the Trinity in Italy program she will be participating in.

"I chose this program because it offers a unique blend of academic learning and cultural immersion within a short, focused timeframe," Falcon says. "It's not just about being in a new place, it's about learning through experience, which is something I really value."

Both Falcon and Bajracharya chose to study abroad through a Trinity-led program because they are familiar with and trust the faculty joining them on the trip. Falcon also feels that Trinity's smaller groups help foster "stronger connections with both professors and peers, making the experience more collaborative and meaningful compared to a larger, less personal program," she says.

The guidance Falcon and Bajracharya will receive from faculty gives them the support they need to grow, ensuring their time away is truly transformative.

Check out the details of each Trinity Summer 2026 program below. Visit international.trinity.edu to explore more study abroad options.

Trinity Summer Abroad Trips

Trinity in Querétaro
May 17 to June 6

From classrooms to culture!

This three-week program, led by Murchison Endowed Professor of Education Jorge Gonzalez, Ph.D., and Director of School Psychology Diana Kenny, is offered to master's-level students enrolled in the course "Multicultural Issues in School Psychology." The students are placed in vetted elementary and middle schools in Querétaro, Mexico, where they will engage in professional practice through problem-solving consultation and intervention with teachers and parents, addressing student learning needs with a focus on psychoeducational assessment (in both Spanish and English, as appropriate) and behavioral consultation.

The program also provides Spanish-language enrichment and cultural immersion through the Centro Intercultural de Querétaro, the local partner institution. Students will spend half-days at the center participating in language lessons, traditional cultural activities (such as dance), and additional programming organized by local coordinators. This intensive, hands-on international experience not only strengthens clinical and multicultural competencies but also prepares students to work effectively with diverse communities in both U.S. and international educational settings.

Trinity Shanghai Summer Program
May 17 to July 5

Understanding business around the world!

Situated in the famous French Concession of Shanghai, this program includes weekly lectures covering diverse topics relevant to the political and economic relationship between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America. Led by Finance and Business Analytics Professor Shage Zhang, Ph.D., and Business Administration Professor Yi Liu, Ph.D., 20 students will spend six weeks gaining insights into the challenges and opportunities for business operating in or entering each market, equipping them to make informed business decisions in a global context.

Students will take a course called "Comparative Views of Modern China" (INTL 4302) and participate in an international internship. All students going on the program will automatically receive the Global Awareness Pathway.

Trinity in Italy
June 1-23

Religion and classics in Rome!

This three-week program will be based in Rome, immersing 15 students in the city's religious and cultural landscape. Guided by Religion Professors Rubén Dupertuis, Ph.D., and Chad Spigel, Ph.D., students will visit historic sites such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum, the catacombs, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Baths, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, and the archaeological site of Pompeii.

Students will gain three credit hours in either classics or religion through the course "Pagans, Jews, and Christians" taught by Dupertuis and Spigel.. By completing this course, students will also fulfill the Pathway requirements of Historical Perspectives and Oral and Visual Communication.

Trinity Madrid Summer Program
June 1-27

Study the language and step into the culture!

Designed to help students acquire and grow their Spanish language skills and cultural competence, this four-week program will be led by Modern Languages and Literatures Professor Rosana Blano-Cano, Ph.D., and Study Abroad Advisor and Coordinator Laura Roberts. Under their guidance, 11 students will step outside of their daily comfort zone so they can experience the culture, history, and splendor of Madrid, all while learning Spanish.

By day, students will learn in a traditional classroom setting and then go out into the city to experience Madrid firsthand. At night, students will experience the culture of Spain by attending flamenco shows, musical performances, and dining in Spanish restaurants. The students will also attend a weekend field trip to Valencia, along with day trips outside of Madrid to other historical sites and significant museums.

All students going on this program will automatically receive the Global Awareness course credit for Pathways and earn their Foreign Language requirement by successfully completing Intermediate Spanish I.

Trinity in Japan
June 9 to July 18

Learning in the classroom, exploring in the city!

During their six-week stay in Japan, 14 students will learn about contemporary Japanese society, business economy, politics, and cultural traditions. Guided by Dr. Katsuo Nishikawa, Ph.D., Finance and Business Analytics Professor Jorge Colazo, Ph.D., and Program Coordinator Dr. Makiko Fukuda, they will discover what life is like for college students, sample the local culinary treats, discuss the country's major social challenges, experience pop culture, and much more.

The program includes the courses: "Contemporary Japanese Politics and Society" (INTL 3357) and "The Japanese Production System in Context" (BAT 3394), which fulfill the Oral and Visual Communication and Historical Perspective Pathway requirements. All students going on this program will automatically earn the Global Awareness Pathway.

Beyond the Classroom Trips

Performing Human Rights
May 18-31

Discover theatre's role in human rights discourse!

Bringing together the field of human rights with the field of theatre for social change, this two-week program will bring 10 students to Sicily, Italy, to work with migrants and refugees who crossed the Mediterranean to reach Europe from Africa. Led by Dr. Katsuo Nishikawa, Ph.D., and Human Communication and Theatre Professor Roberto Prestigiacomo, MFA, this experience will help students compare how laws work across different countries and give them the tools to develop dialogue and action through theatre for social change.

This summer trip is a continuation of the Spring 2026 course "Performing Human Rights" (THTR 3444/INTL 4402), which offered these students the unique opportunity to explore the theoretical framework of the human rights of migrants and apply performative tools to engage with communities and their oppressive challenges.

The International Criminal Justice Program
May 25 to June 6

Get a first-hand glimpse into the international criminal justice system!

During this two-week program in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 15 students will gain an insider's view of how the International Criminal Court works and how international criminals are prosecuted. They will be guided by Political Science Associate Professor Rosa Aloisi, Ph.D., and Sociology and Anthropology Professor Alfred Montoya, Ph.D.

This summer trip is a continuation of the Spring 2026 course "International Criminal Justice" (PLSI 3447), through which these students earned the Written Communications and Global Awareness Pathway requirements.

The Iceland Program
May 26 to June 9

Explore how landscape influences culture!

This two-week program led by Economics Professor Maria Paganelli, Ph.D., and Environmental Studies Program Director Gregory Hazleton, Ph.D., will immerse 20 students in the vibrant landscape of Iceland, where they will explore its native culture, history, architecture, and society.

This summer trip is a continuation of the Spring 2026 course "Its Unique Geological, Economic and Cultural History" (ECON/GEOS/INTL 3415), through which these students earned credit in economics, geosciences, business administration, environmental studies, or political science.