UW-Madison Study Abroad - International Academic Programs

Happy Pride Month, Badgers! 🌈⁠
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Your identity shapes your study abroad experience, and our team is committed to supporting you, wherever you are in your journey. ⁠
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Explore identity resources on our website: https://studyabroad.wisc.edu/student-identity/lgbt-students/

Read more from recent LGBTQ+ : https://blog.studyabroad.wisc.edu/archives/tag/lgbtq
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📸:⁠
1. "As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I was super excited to live in a city like London and experience the q***r community there. Though I was nervous at first to make friends and fit in with coworkers in the corporate world, it was a lot easier than I anticipated, and my identity proved to be no barrier to my experience."⁠
-Katie, University of Westminster⁠
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2. "My classmates did their best to respect my pronouns and my identity and the instructors made it clear from the beginning that I had support... my advice is just to advocate for yourself."⁠
-T Innis, Ceiba Coral Reef Ecology in Belize⁠
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3. "Being trans, I had a very unique experience... I never once felt ostracized for my identity, or even like my inclusion was forced. This, combined with engaging with q***r elders in a mentor/mentee setting, made for an unforgettable semester of being uplifted."⁠
-Klavier, UW in London⁠
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4. "As a q***r person, this program was transformative. The faculty and other students live so authentically and are constantly looking for ways to support you. I encountered many people to hold community space with, and we celebrated our wonderful weirdness together."⁠
-Madelyn, Wild Rockies Field Institute⁠
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5. "I felt welcomed in Ireland with respect to my LGBT identity and found many other students with similar experiences. I would advise other students to participate in community building and social activities because it was a valuable experience to spend time with other students with similar identities."⁠
-Katrina, University College of Dublin

Vivian T. (.n), neurobiology major, spent her winter break studying abroad on the UW Wellbeing and the Art of Forest Bathing in Japan! 🇯🇵⁠
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Offered in partnership with , this program takes students through the tall bamboo forests of Kyoto, Japan's artistic capital, examining the concept of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). 🎍⁠
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Participate in organized visits to gardens, museums, and cultural immersion workshops led by Kyoto's "living treasures," like tea ceremonies, shibori hand dyeing, and more! 🫖⁠
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Enhance your five senses and visit our website to learn more about the UW Wellbeing and the Art of Forest Bathing in Japan program: https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/330444
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📸:⁠
1. Vivian got to see the 1000 Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine for Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, agriculture, and business prosperity.⁠
2. Scenery at the Rakusai Chikurin Park for more bamboo forest bathing!⁠
3. Daily visits to the 7/11 or Family Mart and getting strawberry sandwiches.⁠
4. Forest bathing at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest,⁠
5. Public transportation for getting all across Kyoto!⁠
6. UW students showing their Badger Pride during their drumming workshop!⁠
7. Vivian examined the architecture of the Kiyomizu-dera temple and practiced forest bathing nearby.⁠
8. Vivian experienced a meal monks typically eat designed to support mindfulness, sustainability, and health.⁠
9. Hands-on forest bathing in the Rakusai Chikurin Park, where Vivian experienced the benefits for herself!

"Witnessing how identity, history, and systemic inequality unfold across borders deepened my commitment to justice-driven work. It reminded me that meaningful change requires patience and accountability." ⁠
🗨️ Wasuk K. (); political science, legal studies, community and organizational development major⁠
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With the city as your guide, experience the art that continues to shape Argentina's politics and customs on the UW Activism through the Arts program! 🇦🇷⁠
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Read more from fellow on the 2026 cohort: https://blog.studyabroad.wisc.edu/archives/tag/uw-actvsm-&-arts-argentina
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"Que tal? I’m reaching the end of my time with the Activism through the Arts program! In these past few weeks, I’ve gotten the chance to explore art museums, theaters, and spaces dedicated to the collective, interactive memory of Argentinian culture/history. The inclusion of guest speakers involved in activist groups and artistic workshopping was certainly my favorite part of this experience. Ciao!" ⁠
💌 Alexa S-N. (), English and Chicane & Latine studies major⁠
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🌟 Applications for this program are OPEN and due in September! Begin your study abroad journey to Argentina: https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/653 -voices
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📸:⁠
1. Ava P. (), Spanish major, poses in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires, known for its colorful houses, being the birthplace of tango, and its football club (Boca Juniors).⁠
2. Wasuk and the group went horseback riding in the countryside.⁠
3. Alexa's postcard from Argentina.⁠
4. Genesis L., community & organizational development and education policy studies major, shared, "A memorial site dedicated to 35,000 missing people during the Argentinean military dictatorship has been one of the most memorable experiences in my whole life beyond this program."

Challenge the way you think about health and physical activity on the UW Crossroads of Culture and Health in New Zealand program! 🇳🇿⁠
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Jayden R. (), kinesiology major, and Lauren S. (.salmi), rehabilitation psychology major, spent their winter break engaging in conversations about culturally responsive physical activity with indigenous populations! 🦡⁠
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🗨️ "One custom that I am taking forward from New Zealand is the Māori concept of Hauora or holistic wellbeing... I think that this is not only important to consider in terms of my own well-being but also as a future healthcare provider, considering each of my patients and their recovery." - Jayden⁠
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🌟 Applications for this winter break program are OPEN and due in September! Begin yours: https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/330394
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📸:⁠
1. Badgers outside the University of Otago on their last day of lectures.⁠
2. A stunning view from the top of a restaurant in Queenstown. ⁠
3. Lauren showing her Badger Pride on a boat tour around Milford Sound.⁠
4. Jayden and her group after surfing in Christchurch.⁠
5. Students performing an experiment to learn about human psychological responses to exercising in heat.⁠
6. Crepe from the local farmer's market in Dunedin.⁠
7. Lauren visiting Tunnel Beach during her free time in Dunedin.⁠
8. Sheep watching is a daily activity in New Zealand. Fun fact: there are roughly 5x more sheep than people in New Zealand!⁠
9. UW Professor Gary Diffee giving a lecture on physiological adaptations to altitude.⁠
10. Lauren and fellow students watching the sunset on the first night.

Will G. (), genetics & genomics major, went behind-the-scenes at cancer treatment facilities and cancer research labs on the UW Cancer Care Across Cultures in Denmark! 🇩🇰⁠
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On this winter intersession program, students will:⁠
🧑‍⚕️ Receive instruction from highly qualified medical faculty⁠
💵 Understand financing models for cancer care and identify its challenges⁠
❤️‍🩹 Receive 3 credits in one of four courses at the end of the program⁠
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🌟 Applications for this program are OPEN and due in September! Start learning about cancer prevention on a global scale: https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/330443
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📸:⁠
1. The cohort of students showing their Badger pride with their host family!⁠
2. Will lying under a linear accelerator, which is used for radiation therapy.⁠
3. Vestergade in Radhuspladsen, where locals commonly commute to work on bike.⁠
4. Will's first time trying burrata!⁠
5. Wet lab benches in the National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy in Denmark. They focus on evaluating the efficacy of various immunotherapies that stimulate cancer patients' immune systems.⁠
6. Copenhagen City Hall.⁠
7. Will and friends that he made while in Denmark!⁠
8. Freetown Christiana is a self-governed neighborhood in Copenhagen. It is known for its colorful murals, which often depict activism and political movements.

Looking for your next spring break adventure? Travel south on the UW Banking Animal Biodiversity in Costa Rica program! 🇨🇷⁠
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Climate and environmental changes have led to major habitat loss for endangered species. Offered in partnership with , you'll learn how to be an active participant in animal biopreservation and animal re-introduction. 🦜⁠
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You'll experience three different types of tropical forest ecosystems and study at research stations in Puerto Viejo, Monteverde, and Palo Verde National Park. 🌴⁠
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Plus, you'll earn 1 credit of Genetics 528! ⁠
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Shout out to Adria K., biology major, for sending over these amazing photos! 🦡⁠
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🌟 Applications for spring break 2027 are OPEN and due in October! Get started: https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/665
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📸:⁠
1. Adria visiting Pierella Ecological Garden, a butterfly farm focusing on education for locals and tourists. Adria poses with a Walking Stick!⁠
2. A Blue Morpho Butterfly - an iconic Costa Rican butterfly!⁠
3. The UW cohort visiting the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center! They learned how some of the animals arrive to the center and their stories.⁠
4. A patacone (fried plantain dish) topped with vegetables, guacamole, and salsas - Adria's first meal in Costa Rica!⁠
5. Students painted a community center in a small town.⁠
6. Adria showing her Badger pride at the entrance of La Selva Biological Station, where tourists and researchers from around the world visit.⁠
7. Mushrooms in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

What better way to study art than at the Santa Reparata International School of Art () in Florence, Italy? 🇮🇹⁠
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👨‍🎨 Draw inspiration from the same city that shaped artists like Michelangelo ⁠
🎨 Learn through hands-on studio courses while surrounding yourself with historic masterpieces⁠
📚️ Brush up on your Italian with optional language courses⁠
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👉️ Swipe to see what life is like in Florence, courtesy of consumer behavior and marketplace studies majors Caitlin R. () & Carly J.! 🦡⁠
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“Studying at SRISA in Florence allowed me to grow both creatively and personally while living in such an inspiring environment. It pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, gain confidence, and embrace new experiences. Through this program, I developed independence, adaptability, and a strong appreciation for Italian culture! To anyone considering Florence: Do it!”⁠
-Caitlin⁠
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This program is offered for summer, fall, spring, and year durations!⁠
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Applications for the spring semester are OPEN and due in September! Learn more: https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/201
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📸:⁠
1. Caitlin stands in front of the Duomo.⁠
2. Carly's Italian Luxury Industry course attended the Museum of Costume and Fashion.⁠
3. Carly and her best friend visiting the Piazzale Michelangelo - Carly's favorite view of Florence.⁠
4. An iconic Florentine steak!⁠
5. Carly showing her Badger Pride on the way home from class!⁠
6. A photo of the SRISA Studio 55 campus highlighting the different types of courses and studio classes offered.⁠
7. The Ponte Vecchio.⁠
8. Carly passed by the Duomo every day on the way to class!⁠
9. Carly's wine marketing course took a trip to a Tuscan winery for a wine tour.

Amelia F., biology major, studied abroad at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) this spring! 🇨🇿⁠
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🗨️ "Whether through coursework in silviculture or forest ecology, I was able to connect classroom concepts to real-world settings, deepening my understanding of how ecological principles are applied across different landscapes." - Amelia⁠
https://blog.studyabroad.wisc.edu/archives/35915
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Offered in partnership with , CULS is a short public transport ride from central Prague and is consistently ranked as the greenest and most sustainable campus in the Czech Republic. ⁠
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While abroad, you'll choose from classes in English ranging from crop and soil science to animal science, horticulture, and more! Plus, you can take advantage of the unique facilities owned by , including a 7,000-acre working farm, a 20,000-acre forest, and a castle. 🏰⁠
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🌟 Applications for the spring semester of this program are open and due in September! Visit our website to get started; https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/Admin/Program/View/281⁠
📸:⁠
1. Amelia and fellow Badger at Bohemian Switzerland National Park!⁠
2. Badgers at the top of Vitkov Hill with a view of Prague's beautiful skyline.