Global Perspectives Studying outside of the United States is a wonderful way for students to get to know our neighbors and begin to develop a global perspective. It also gives us a unique perspective on our own culture.
Students have the opportunity to travel all over the world and gain valuable life-experience.
But more importantly, Oles are not tourists, but students who delve into culture and society. Instead of sitting in Northfield eating a peanut butter sandwich, a St. Olaf student can travel to Zimbabwe and learn how to make peanut butter while staying in a mud hut with their host family. International Studies experience at St. Olaf is a prominent reason why Oles stand out amongst their peers. International Studies Programs at St. Olaf began in 1947 with the opening of a summer school in Oslo, Norway. And after student teaching in India, studying art in Italy, doing tropical field research in Costa Rica and navigating motorcycles down the busy streets of Chiang Mai, Thailand, they return to campus with an amazing wealth of experiences that enhance their St. Olaf education in many ways.