Friends, parents, and other supporters gathered outside of Taylor Hall before spring break to say farewell to first-year and transfer students heading overseas for Preview The World, one of Arcadia’s signature study abroad programs. 

Preview The World consists of a 2-credit spring semester course on the Glenside campus that includes international travel over spring break. This year, nearly 300 students traveled to 11 locations across nine countries, including Amsterdam, Netherlands; Athens, Greece; Bali, Indonesia; Dublin, Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland; Florence, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland; London, England; Paris, France; San José, Costa Rica; and Sicily, Italy. They will share their stories and all they’ve learned at the 2025 Global Expo on Friday, April 11, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the University Commons.

For some of the students, this was their first time traveling outside of the United States.

“I have never been outside of the country, so this will all be a new experience for me,” said Will Norris ’26, a Theater Arts major who traveled to London with the Empire’s Echo: Identity and Belonging in Imperial London course.

“I’m looking forward to the different sights. I’m a big David Bowie fan, so I hope to make it to 23 Heddon Street where they shot the Ziggy Stardust album cover.”

Maya Caggiano ’28, a Chemistry major, was also looking to check a destination off her bucket list. For her, that place was Paris.

“ Paris has been my dream vacation for a long time,” she explained. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Musée d’Orsay and see the Eiffel Tower, so what better way to do it?”

Caggiano was in Paris with the course Paris: A City of Insiders and Outsiders. Also in that course is Leon Hendershot ’27, a transfer student from the University of the Arts. For Hendershot, this was an unexpected opportunity.

“We may have traveled during our UArts career at some point, but maybe not. Now we have the chance here at Arcadia,” he said. “I am a Creative Writing major, so this course will be beneficial to my major. I’m studying Richard Wright, so I’m looking forward to learning about his life here.”

Students first traveled for Preview The World in 1994 as a way to encourage study abroad opportunities early in one’s college career. At the time, London was the only location available. Since then, more than 7,500 students have participated in the program, traveling to countries such as Cuba, India, Chile, and South Korea, and studying topics such as music, fashion, art, literature, film, food, history, education, and politics.

Kayla Raab ’28, a Business Administration major and Public Relations minor, and Juno Teller ’28, an  Acting major with a musical theater concentration, were off to London with their classmates from Rhythm & Culture: Exploring Music and the Arts in London & Philly. In the course, students were tasked with learning about and comparing local music and culture in both cities. 

“ I’m really looking forward to seeing theatre in London, I’ve heard really good things,” Teller said. “Also just seeing a different country and being in a different culture because I haven’t had the chance to leave the U.S. yet.”

“ We’re going to a bunch of marketplaces, like Camden Market,” Raab added. “We’re also doing interviews with some artists from London, which I think is pretty cool.

Those who participated in Preview the World are encouraged to submit their photos and videos as part of the Preview the World Photo and Video Contest. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in both the photo and video categories; additionally, honorable mentions will be given for each class, and select entries will be showcased on social media. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on April 4.