At the end of the spring semester, most students long for a period of relaxation, adventure and, quite frankly, a break from hours spent at the library. But rather than immediately tackling a new job or lounging by the pool, Andrew Kelm, of Dowagiac, along with 300 other Belmont students, opted to study abroad during the University’s Maymester session.

The list of trips includes diverse sites like Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Brazil, Israel, Greece, Rome, China, Argentina, Costa Rica and many more.

Majoring in nursing, Kelm, a sophomore, was able to take courses for academic credit during the session in Hawaii.

The “Belmont in London and Paris” program invited students to embark on an interdisciplinary program to discover the two major cosmopolitan capitals of Europe, through the lenses of food, film, gardens and math. Led by Dr. Mimi Barnard, Dr. Judy Bullington, Dr. Kim Daus, Will Akers and Dr. Michelle Guinn, excursions included walking tours of both cities, cooking lessons, museum visits and day trips to Oxford, Chatsworth (Jane Austen’s “Pemberley”) and Blenheim Palace in England and Versailles, and Chantilly and Giverny in France.

“As part of its institutional mission, Belmont is committed to providing students with ways to engage and transform the world,” said director of study abroad Shelley Jewell.

“Study abroad provides a pathway to make this a reality. Our students have embraced these opportunities and are given the necessary support and encouragement from our faculty and staff in order to participate.”

Jewell also emphasized the impact studying abroad can have in inspiring students to increase intellectual maturity, improve self-confidence and increase adaptability, noting that it teaches students to appreciate diversity and recognize and dismiss cultural stereotypes.

“We live in an increasingly interconnected world that demands students have awareness not only of our nation but of other cultures around the world in order to be successful,” Jewell said. “Study abroad is a truly transformative experience that pushes students outside of their comfort zones. It is our job as higher education professionals to prepare students for our global marketplace and study abroad is a crucial piece of this preparation.”

Ranked No. 5 in the Regional Universities South category and named for the seventh consecutive year as one of the top “Up-and-Comer” universities by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University consists of approximately 7,300 students who come from every state and more than 25 countries.