With demanding course loads and tightly sequenced requirements, studying abroad can seem out of reach for many STEMM majors. But a recent event hosted by University of Iowa Study Abroad showed otherwise. 

During the Study Abroad for STEMM and Health Majors panel, held on October 1 as part of the Study Abroad Conversation Series, Iowa students shared how they fit study abroad into their academic plans.

The panel featured four students who studied or interned abroad while pursuing majors in STEMM and health sciences: 

• Analia Perez, a third-year student majoring in therapeutic recreation with minors in dance and psychology, studied abroad on the Iowa Regents in Ireland: University College Cork program in Cork, Ireland.
• Chealsa Andersen, a third-year student on the pre-audiology track majoring in speech and hearing science, studied abroad on WorldStrides Australia: Bond University program in Gold Coast, Australia.
• Veronica Ramirez, a third-year student on the pre-occupational therapy track majoring in global health studies with a minor in inclusive recreation and certificates in disability studies and nonprofit leadership & philanthropy, completed a global internship abroad through the IES Cape Town South Africa study abroad/internship program in Cape Town, South Africa.
• Emery Janssens, a fourth-year student on the pre-med track majoring in health sciences with a minor in Spanish, studied abroad on the CIEE Santiago Community Public Health program in Santiago, Dominican Republic. 

Together, they offered their perspectives on how to make study abroad work with demanding course loads — and why it’s worth it. 

1. Plan ahead and talk with your advisor 

Studying abroad as a STEMM major takes planning, but as the panelists agreed, it’s more than possible. 

“I looked for classes that could count as electives or gen eds,” said Perez. “A lot of my major courses are only offered in certain semesters, so I planned it around what wouldn’t throw off my sequence.” 

“I didn’t think there was anything abroad for occupational therapy,” said Ramirez. “And then Monica [Ernberger] was my study abroad advisor, and she was the one who really guided me toward the internship route.” 

“My program worked out so nicely by being in the summer,” said Janssens. “I checked off public health and Spanish minor credits at the same time. It took time to find the right program, but there truly is something that can work for everyone.” 

2. Experience your field of study in a new context 

For these students, studying abroad didn’t mean stepping away from their major — it meant enhancing it. 

“I took a special education and disability course taught by someone who actually worked at a special school,” said Perez. “Through his connection, we toured the facility and met students. It showed their perspectives and legislature on special education, which related directly to my major.” 

Janssens found that her program in the Dominican Republic blended language, research, and clinical shadowing experience. 

“It was in a different language, and almost a new subject,” said Janssens. “There were research and shadowing aspects that all tied together.” 

“It wasn't like the professor was showing us a slideshow,” added Ramirez. “It was really a reflection about what we saw in our internship. There were so many students [from different disciplines] that it was so cool to get that insight in our classes.” 

3. Use your experience to strengthen your career goals 

Studying abroad doesn’t just enhance students’ coursework; it can open doors professionally. 

“It makes your grad school applications look really good,” said Andersen. “You have that cultural competency and it's an experience no one else in your cohort will have.” 

“There was an occupational therapist at the clinic that I was [interning] at, and I got really close with her,” said Ramirez. “She actually drove me to a rural hospital every Wednesday and Thursday, and I got all of my shadow hours. She's also writing me a letter of recommendation for grad school.” 

For these students, studying abroad didn’t mean stepping away from their major — it meant enhancing it. 

4. Look for scholarships and creative ways to fund your program 

Each student found creative ways to make their experience affordable. 

“I found out about a scholarship because I called my IES advisor,” said Ramirez. “She knew I was really looking for scholarships and was able to recommend me for it. There definitely are a lot of opportunities. You just need to go on the website and look.” 

Perez discovered flexibility in her existing funding from her high school. 

“I called my high school and asked if there was any way that I could put these funds toward one semester abroad,” said Perez. “And they were pretty flexible with me on that.” 

Janssens shared that her program offered merit aid. 

“Even through my specific program, I had a merit scholarship — not from Iowa, but from the third-party provider,” said Janssens. 

5. Let study abroad help you grow in new ways 

Beyond academics and career prep, the students said the experience changed their confidence and sense of independence.  

Reflecting on her favorite memory, Ramirez shared about the relationships she built. 

“I think it was really connecting with the patients and the staff,” said Ramirez. “One of the nurses—we called them ‘sisters’—started calling me her daughter by the end of my internship.” 

Traveling solo gave Perez a new sense of confidence. 

“Before I left, I said I wasn’t going to travel every weekend,” said Perez. “But once I saw the Ryanair prices, I couldn’t resist. I did a lot of solo traveling, which is something I never thought I’d do. I even went to Barcelona for my birthday.” 

Janssens reflected on the friendships she made abroad. 

“Our entire cohort of 13 people stayed in a villa together,” said Janssens. “It was a lot of fun to spend time with all those people. You get really close with everyone you're traveling with.” 

The panelists ended with advice for others hoping to study abroad. 

“Do an internship,” said Ramirez. “That’s my advice. You get a guaranteed full-time internship. You can’t even get that here.” 

“Even if you can only do a winter or summer program, go,” said Andersen. 

“If you want to do it, do it,” said Perez. “Just think about all the opportunities and experiences you’ll have and how much you can learn about yourself.”

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.