Arcadia University brought the world to campus on April 11, as Civic and Global Engagement hosted the Global Expo. This annual event celebrates global learning, international cultures, and student experiences.

“There’s a kind of magic in the air during Global Expo,” said Assistant Director of Civic and Global Engagement Ashley Knueppel ’12, ’20M. “I love the colors, creativity, music, laughter, and smells from students cooking their favorite international foods. It feels like a mini world tour right here on campus. But my favorite part is seeing the students shine… the pride in their voice, the spark in their eyes, the confidence!”

Global Expo provides a space for students, faculty, and staff to highlight the many facets of global learning at Arcadia— from Preview and Global Field Study (GFS) courses to semester-long study abroad programs, Glenside-based courses, graduate opportunities, and student-led cultural initiatives.

“Global Expo is a fantastic way to celebrate these unique experiences and for students to share their stories with the community,” said Assistant Director of Global Engagement James Shaw, who emceed this year’s event. “From Bali to Paris and Sicily to Dominica, it offers a unique and exciting opportunity to hear from students and faculty who have personally experienced cultures across the world.”

During the event, Kemi Adebisi ’28, who took the “Greece: Myths and Civilizations” course, was providing oracle readings for anyone interested in hearing the gods’ guiding messages.

“It’s fun to show off what you learned and share the experience,” said Adebisi. “It’s nice to have things we can show off, like these cards, or other things we bought there so we can really show what we experienced there.”

Standing next to a plush three-toed sloth, Asher Hoffman ’28 talked about Preview in the “Ecotourism & Sustainable Development in Costa Rica” course.

“I think it’s really important for college students to have experiences beyond the scope of their school or the city they live in,” Hoffman explained. “So, getting hands-on experience and interacting with people from different cultures and different countries really prepares you for the real world.”

“Global Expo is important for students who maybe don’t have the opportunity to go abroad or people who are interested in going abroad to see other people’s experiences,” said Cedar Wilson ’27, who transferred to Arcadia in the fall. “That way they can learn about the places they have an interest in and hear other students’ experiences.

Wilson traveled to Paris with the “Paris: A City of Insiders and Outsiders” course and is planning on spending a semester abroad next year.

“I either want to go to London or Edinburgh next year,” Wilson added. “I really loved Paris, so that’s why I want to stay near the U.K. so that I can go there pretty easily.”

The event also included the announcement of the Preview photo and video contest winners. This year’s awards included an honorable mention recognized per Preview class; a Preview leader winner; and first, second, and third place winners for the photo and video categories.

Honorable Mentions:

Most Submissions: Florence

Preview Leader: Allyson Mccreery – Greece

Photo:

Video:

Knueppel emphasizes that the Expo isn’t just a showcase; it’s a reflection of Arcadia’s mission of providing a distinctively global, integrative, and personal learning experience. 

“Arcadia is #1 in study abroad for a reason and this event allows us to pause and really honor that collective commitment,” she said. “What makes Global Expo special is how it showcases global learning in all of its forms. This tradition invites everyone to be part of a larger, shared story— one that reflects the world we want to live in: diverse, curious, collaborative, and connected.”