Preview Travel Support Program ‘Sends-Off’ Largest Ever Cohort
The Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University (BAAAU) held a ‘send-off’ celebration on February 29 in the Commons for 41 Black students who are recipients of the Preview Travel Support Program, which covers the cost of the Preview travel program and provides a travel stipend to these students. This is the largest cohort since the program’s inception, with the 2024 awards totaling over $22,000.
Anjali Dyer ‘27, a Psychology major, attended the send-off before heading to Greece for her Preview. “I’m really excited because I love Greek architecture,” Dyer said. “I want to see the Parthenon and the Acropolis of Athens. I want to see everything.”
As a recognized leader in global education, Arcadia University exposes students to the transformational experience of studying abroad by offering Preview to first-year and transfer students. Since 1994, this two-credit course and weeklong international experience during spring break has encouraged over 8,000 students to study in international destinations across the globe.
However, it was noted that Black students were not engaging in the Preview program at the same rates as other students. Committed to increasing equity for Black students in study abroad, BAAAU established the Preview Support Program in 2019 specifically for low-income Black students.
Caela Gibson ‘25, an Education Studies major, is attending Preview in Paris: “This is my first time out of the country, so I’m excited for everything,” she said. “But I’m most excited about Parisian food and exploring the historic culture of that famed-city.”
Students can choose to attend Preview courses in destinations in Belgium,Costa Rica, England, Frances, Greece, Ireland, Scotland, South Korea, or Spain. The courses vary in theme depending on the destination. For example: “Ecotourism & Sustainable Development in Costa Rica,” and “Multicultural Belgium: A Decolonial View of the Heart of Europe.”
The Preview Travel Support Program is made possible with the help of generous donors from across the University community, including gifts from alumni, faculty, staff, and parents.
Yasuko Rosielee Madison, an adjunct faculty member in the School of Global Business, attended the event as a supporter. “I support Preview because as a retired African American business person, I know the benefits of seeing the world beyond your local neighborhood. I did it for my son, and I should give-forward by supporting international experiences here as a professor.”
Akosua Ako-Addo ‘18, BAAAU Travel Chair said, “Preview, as the name suggests, is an opportunity to introduce students to the world. When I attended Preview, I didn’t see people who looked like me, and there is such a small percentage of Black students who have the opportunity to study abroad. The Preview Travel Fund helps change that allows these Black students to see themselves as change makers in the world.”
