Abroad Experiences at Ohio Wesleyan

There are countless opportunities that Ohio Wesleyan University offers. Ohio Wesleyan's program, the OWU Connection, encourages students to do good, think big, and go global. Each of these experiences gives students the opportunity to become more well-rounded individuals.

Studying abroad is one of the most impactful ways students choose to embrace the OWU connection.

By immersing themselves in new cultures, languages, and academic settings, OWU students expand their perspectives and individuality far beyond the classroom. They develop life skills that shape their professional and personal futures.

A junior OWU student, Addison Demaline, who studied in France, described the experience as “one of, if not the most, transformative experiences I have had the opportunity to endeavor” (Demaline ‘25).

As she was experiencing life abroad, she got the opportunity to live with a host family and continue learning her second language, expressing that “at first everything was overwhelming: public transport, ordering food, finding my classes, and creating a new life abroad all alone” (Demaline, ‘25).

Over time, however, she ended up making very meaningful friendships and memories with classmates from all around the world that made her experience studying abroad extremely fulfilling.

“Together, we navigated a city none of us had called home before, all while progressing our friendships in a language that was not native to our tongues. After three and a half months, I came home with friends from every corner of the world, memories, and lessons to last a lifetime” (Demaline, ‘26).

Junior, Brie Colangelo, found a similar transformative experience while studying abroad for a semester in Amsterdam.

“My experience abroad was truly transformative, filled with fulfilling moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences” (Colangelo, ‘26).

While she studied at Vrije University, she got the opportunity to travel to eight different countries, where she met up with some of her OWU friends who were also studying abroad.

Additionally, she got the chance to be an intern for Plastic Whale and also continue her athletic journey of playing club lacrosse with the Amsterdam Lions.

Through her experience, she “met lifelong friends, learned more about myself and developed a deep passion for moving abroad in the future” (Colangelo, ‘26).

Stories like these reflect how the OWU Connection’s commitment to helping its students go global becomes a reality through studying abroad, fostering independence, and lifelong ambition.

For current students and those preparing to come to OWU, studying abroad is an opportunity worth considering.