Studying in Thailand and Europe leads to new insights
Jasmin Mahoney | Majors: Chemistry, Secondary Education | Minors: Painting, Honors
Published July 15, 2025
Learning abroad Expands Student's Horizons
Honors students like Jasmin broaden their intellectual horizons and cultural awareness through study abroad — from exploring ancient temples and meeting elephants in Thailand to discovering the art of plastic surgery in Europe and experiencing live Shakespeare in historic theaters.
Discovering the world through study abroad
What initially drew me to the Honors College as a freshman was the study abroad opportunities. Now, as a junior with three study abroad classes under my belt, I can say that they are everything I expected and wished them to be. My first study abroad was “Shakespeare in England and Italy,” where I was introduced to the world of live theater, and I have loved it ever since. I am constantly seeking out opportunities to see plays, and I know that my appreciation of the performances has been truly heightened by taking the class and learning about how much work goes into every step of the process.
My second study abroad was “The Art and History of Medicine,” where I learned about the vast and revolutionary advances in medicine during the 20th century. I already knew that I was interested in the medical field when I enrolled in this class, and this just reinvigorated my desire to learn more—particularly plastic surgery, which is now the specialty that I want to go into.
My last study abroad, “Buddhism in Thailand,” was an incredible experience where I learned about not only Buddhism but Thai culture as well. I learned that no matter where in the world you go, people are human first, and we are all a lot more similar than we would like to admit.
The moral of these stories? There is always an amazing opportunity to learn from the Honors College and to gain interests and experiences that you would never otherwise have!
