OHIO students in Botswana with beautiful mountains behind.
Let’s Come Together to Help More Students Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Turn Bobcat students’ Study Abroad Dreams into Real Opportunities

Studying abroad is more than a trip—it’s a chance for students to discover new perspectives, gain hands-on experience in their field, study another language, and explore parts of the world they’ve only imagined. Some students hope to earn credits toward graduation through unique coursework, while others dream of living with a host family or immersing themselves in a culture far different from their own. With so many opportunities available, financial support can make the difference between a dream deferred and a life-changing global experience. Your gift helps students pursue programs that expand their education, strengthen their confidence, and prepare them to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

76% of U.S. college students say they hope or plan to study abroad. (1)
80% of these students said cost to study abroad is a major barrier. (1)
Less than 10% of U.S. college graduates have a study abroad experience before graduating. (2)
Hali Bridges headshot.

I would not have found my passion without studying in Spain. It [study abroad] truly changed the entire trajectory of my life, and I'm so grateful.

Hali Bridges, '25, Classics and Religious Studies and African American Studies, Visible Voice Scholar

Featured Fund

OHIO PASSPORT FUND — This fund provides support for Ohio University's First Passport Grant Program, which aims to break down one of the barriers to meaningful international travel by funding passports for Bobcats.

Applying for and receiving their first passport opens up a world of possibilities for students, including study abroad, internships abroad, and volunteer experiences abroad. (Students who are selected will then receive support and advising on the passport application process.)

Cover of a Passport.

From Appalachia to Central America, Central Europe

As a first-generation college student from rural Appalachia, Dakota Tackett never imagined he would become a world-traveling educator with experiences spanning multiple continents. During his junior year at OHIO, Tackett became the first person in his family to travel abroad when he participated in a week-long literacy education program in Belize.

“I saw a new culture for the first time in my life,” Tackett said. “It was the first time I was a foreigner somewhere. It made me realize that life can be lived through so many different perspectives.”

After graduating from OHIO, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar and served as a citizen ambassador in the Czech Republic through the Fulbright Program, teaching English and acting as a cultural liaison at a school mirroring his lived experience at home in rural Appalachia.

Study Abroad changed the course of Dakota’s life.

He graduated summa cum laude from the Patton College of Education in 2020. Now a teacher, he shared “I like being able to work with kids, and I get to help them broaden their perspectives.” He encourages students to understand that worldviews shape opinions and that respecting others’ beliefs means respecting their experiences.

Help Students Like Dakota Travel Abroad

Dakota Tackett at the Temple of Leah in Cebu City, Philippines.
43.4% of first-year Bobcats planned to study abroad during their college career according to the 2020 National Survey of Student Engagement.
13.4% in a 2023 survey of senior Bobcats had actually studied abroad.
Need Your Support Financial constraints are the top barrier we hear about. Your support for study abroad scholarships is crucial. By contributing, you help narrow the gap between students who wanted to study abroad and those who could.

Many Students’ Journey Start in the Walter Center

Housed in the Walter Student Success Center, the Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) inspires the Ohio University community to engage globally through transformative and inclusive practices, personalized support, and holistic risk mitigation. It empowers students to connect across cultures as global citizens, equipped to articulate their stories of growth and impact through an academic, personal, and professional lens. OGO offers weekday Drop-In to help answer students’ questions quickly.

College of Business Helps Students Travel the World, Too

The College of Business’s Center for International Business Education and Development (CIBED) also helps our Bobcat students explore the world. It was founded in response to increasing globalization in business. Its Global Consulting Program (GCP) provides students from all majors with opportunities to learn about the global business environment by working as part of a cross-cultural consulting team to solve authentic business problems abroad. Students work on projects at OHIO and then travel to international locations for internships and additional opportunities.

Help More OHIO Students Become Global Citizens

Brooklyn Stallworth headshot.

Studying abroad completely changed the way I see the world and the way I connect with others. The experience allowed me to build meaningful relationships with people from different cultures that I still keep in touch with today. It also strengthened my ability to work and communicate across cultural differences, which has made me more effective in business and collaboration. Beyond academics and travel, studying abroad helped me become a more well-rounded, adaptable, and open-minded person, and it continues to shape both my personal and professional life every day.

Brooklyn L. Stallworth, '23

 

More About OHIO's Office of Global Opportunities

Staffed by a team of education abroad professionals and peers with their own study abroad and away experiences, the Office of Global Opportunities supports students learning, personal growth and path to graduation by offering and advising on study abroad and study away experiences where students can actualize what they've learned in their college classrooms, put theory into practice, and broaden their understanding of the world while challenging themselves to adapt to a new setting and culture.

Vision: The Office of Global Opportunities aims to maximize learning, develop adaptability, and empower a growth mindset, preparing students to be global citizens and leaders. Through a holistic approach to inclusive advising and personalized support, we will foster integrated, high-value experiences in diverse locations to ensure that each student has tailored opportunities for growth and success. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative programming, we will enhance global perspectives across the university, addressing challenges and creating solutions with a far-reaching impact, both locally and globally.

If you're interested in making a global experience part of more students’ academic journeys at Ohio University, now’s a great time to get involved. Every gift will make an impact.

Featured Fund

DR. MICHAEL AND MRS. MARYLIN DAY STUDY ABROAD AWARD — This endowed fund provides scholarships to students who are participating in any study abroad program. Past recipients have traveled to Japan and Hungary. A 2025 recipient studied food, culture, and sustainability in Italy!

Dr. Michael E. Day received his B.S. in Biological Science in 1969 from Ohio University.  He received his medical degree from University of Toledo College of Medicine and was in practice as a family medicine doctor in Indianapolis, Indiana for over 40 years. Together with his wife Marilyn, they have chosen to establish the Dr. Michael and Mrs. Marilyn Day Study Abroad Award in an effort to encourage Ohio University students to take full advantage of the educational and cultural opportunities Ohio University offers.

Hand holding an ice cream cone with city alley in the background.

Introducing Catherine Marshall

Catherine is the director of the Office of Global Opportunities. Her favorite aspect of working in OGO is "facilitating transformative learning experiences for students and working with an incredibly diverse and engaged group of colleagues at OHIO and abroad." And her dream for the future of study abroad at OHIO? "That every Bobcat who wants to study abroad be able to do so, regardless of their financial means. Study abroad is a transformative experience that fosters academic growth, expanded perspective and career readiness; I believe every student deserves access to those benefits."

Catherine Marshall headshot.
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Questions?

Please email giving@ohio.edu.