Bryant sophomores prepare for international experiences

Bryant University believes that an international academic experience delivers unique perspectives on culture and commerce in countries around the globe and can even shift a student’s career aspirations.

Nearly 50 percent of its students study abroad and the university itself has emerged as a global learning leader. Bryant has a program called the Sophomore International Experience (SIE) that has become a major reason for the university’s international success.

The SIE, a three-credit course held during both the winter and summer, takes students through a crash course in cultural norms, historical reading and analysis, language study and art appreciation. This prepares the students for the country they will study abroad in and takes place the semester before departure. At the end of the program, the students take a two-week trip.

This winter, there will be five SIE trips in which 187 students, accompanied by faculty and staff, will gain a deeper understanding of countries including Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain.

“Immersing myself in Chinese culture will allow me to take what I’m learning in the classroom and get a feel for how much I know – and what I still need to work on,” Julie Fougere, a member of the class of 2018, said. “It promises to be an amazing experience.”