Dr. Paulette Marty and John Marty, professors in the Department of Theatre and Dance, led a group of Honors College students to England and Scotland from June 11 to June 26, 2025. On this Faculty-led Study Abroad Program students earned three semester hours for HON 2515: Introduction to Arts and Humanities Research and three semester hours for HON 3515: Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes.
Emily Taylor a psychology major who entered the Honors College at App State in Fall 2023 semester and plans to graduate May 2027, joined this program. Taylor shared that she “had a very positive experience traveling with both of my professors and my classmates. We had 11 students and two professors, and I felt that I was able to get to know everyone well over the course of the two week program since it was a relatively small group. I really enjoyed getting to know more students in the Honors College, especially some students who were not in my grade. I made some new friends over the course of this trip, and I loved getting to know everyone. I hope to continue seeing them at App during the school year. Everyone was very kind throughout the duration of our trip, and I loved the opportunity to be able to travel.”
Photo (left to right) of Emily Taylor, Annie Clark, and Sabrina Lorca Lozano in Edinburgh, Scotland, on a hike in Holyrood Park, June 13, 2025. Photo submitted by Sabrina Lorca Lozano.
Clara Wilson is an environmental science major with a minor in geography who joined the Honors College at App State in Fall 2023 semester and plans to graduate May 2026. She shared that one of the most significant things she learned from this experience was
how to slow down and connect with the world around me and people from the past.
Dr. Marty explained that, “one of the major learning goals of the course was to learn and practice strategies for intentionally developing empathy for other people. The course materials and activities specifically focused on empathizing with historical figures whose lives were very different from ours, and the students did fantastic work. But what was really cool was seeing how they practiced those strategies to develop empathy for each other. They were kind and conscientious and carefully tended the group dynamic to make sure everyone had what they needed and had opportunities to thrive. It was inspiring to watch!”
Taylor further explained that the focus of this FLEAP is “empathy and truly learning how to practice having empathy for others.” She further reflected, “I felt that I was able to have empathy for the historical figures we discussed in a new way. Specifically, we learned about Mary Queen of Scots and her life experiences and troubles. We visited Loch Leven, where Mary was taken as a prisoner for some time, and I felt a lot of empathy for her while physically visiting that space. I also learned how to truly appreciate new experiences and other cultures. This trip was my first international trip, and it was very valuable for me to be able to immerse myself into the culture of both England and Scotland, practicing empathy all along the way.”
Photo features (left to right) Annie Clark, Jake Stanley, Sabrina Lorca Lozano, Jillian Bogart, Izzy Rains, and Emily Taylor waiting in the line to get into Westminster Abbey in London, England, on June 20, 2025. Photo by Sabrina Lorca Lozano.
Jillian Bogart is a nursing major and Chancellor’s Scholar who joined the Honors College at App State Fall 2024 semester and plans to graduate May 2028. About the importance of study abroad, Bogart stated,
Completing a study abroad is one of the best methods of continuing one's education…it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that some may not be able to experience post-university. If you are like me and are a visual and hands-on learner, then study abroad is a great way to learn while also giving you the chance to see the world.
The Honors College international education requires students to
- Reflect on their interactions with individuals and communities from cultural backgrounds different from their own and explain how these cross-cultural experiences have supported their individual personal, academic, and/or professional growth.
- Cultivate cultural competence and humility by examining the importance of understanding, respecting, and valuing difference in building inclusive communities and addressing global challenges collaboratively.
- Apply a holistic approach to global engagement that encompasses intellectual, cultural, and social dimensions as they explore, discover, learn, and grow with others.
Reflecting on the academic learning, Taylor shared,
these classes allowed me to learn and explore new things and think about topics in new ways… I also feel that these classes improved my research skills… While abroad, we did some research in the National Archives in London, and this was a very valuable experience for me to see what archival research is like. Taking these classes abroad has increased my understanding of the world and other people in new ways. I loved being able to study abroad and take these courses, and I feel that I have learned so much valuable information about the world around me.
Bogart further explained that through this FLEAP, she “learned that it is so important to be adaptable. When you study abroad, whether in a country whose primary language is English or not, there will always be cultural differences. The amount of cultural diversity is so much greater in England and Scotland as compared to Boone and it is admirable to see all sorts of people interacting, living in harmony, and sharing stories of past and present alike. All in all, study abroad allows you to be immersive.”
Photo above shows Jillian Bogart next to a telephone booth in Westminister, London, England, June 18, 2025. This photo was taken following the group’s WWII Black Legacies Tour in front of Elizabeth Tower ("Big Ben"). Photo by Isabel Rains.
Wilson noted that she “went on this trip to gain perspectives outside my field as this is an arts-based trip and I’m an environmental science major. I got that and looked at the world in an artistic manner.”
Taylor reflected that one of her future goals is to travel more and experience the world and other cultures. She stated,
This study abroad trip has been my first time out of the country. However, it has inspired me to travel more throughout my life. My hope for myself is to continue to travel internationally, constantly learning more about the world and meeting new people. Another future goal of mine is to be in a helping profession of some kind, maybe working with children in some capacity. In order to be successful, I need to be culturally competent and have empathy for others. This trip abroad has developed both of these skill sets for me, and I feel that traveling internationally provides a really good perspective on life. Traveling helps to broaden perspective and learn about different cultures, and I hope to continue to do this in various ways as I prepare for my career.
Bogart shared a similar sentiment, stating, “Now that I have completed my study abroad, I want to travel, travel, travel! I am unsure whether or not I will incorporate this aspect into my future career of nursing, but I have definitely added visiting more locations to my personal bucket list. Nevertheless, I do believe that study abroad has allowed me to interact with a diverse group of people, inside and outside of App State. Overall, I am now more culturally competent and tactful, which are two characteristics that I know will benefit me long-term in healthcare.”
Top photo features the entire group in the Isle of Skye in the Highlands of Scotland, June 15, 2025, making a stop on our scenic and educational MacBackpackers tour to admire the fog-covered "giants" (according to Scottish folklore). Photo submitted.
