Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

After a period of reduced activity due to the pandemic, short-term study abroad programs have seen a resurgence. The Office of International Education at St. John’s University experienced a busy Spring and Summer in 2024 as students and faculty from three different schools traveled to seven countries. A total of nine active programs were conducted, each offering specialized curriculums and unique experiences.

The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies introduced three new programs during spring break at St. John’s University locations. In Rome, Italy, the Cybersecurity in a Global Context program was co-directed by Suzanna Schmeelk, Ed.D., DPS, and Denise M. Dragos; meanwhile, Marina Sorochinski, Ph.D., led Forensic Psychology. Concurrently in Paris, France, Professor Sharon Y. Yamen, J.D., ran the Trial Practice program.

Other study-abroad initiatives also resumed globally with contributions from St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences across various academic departments. Notable among them were Language Development in Salamanca, Spain led by Max R. Freeman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP; Management of Pediatric Dysphagia in Guatemala guided by Nancy Colodny, Ph.D.; Baseball, Black Culture and Literature in the Dominican Republic coordinated by Raj Chetty, Ph.D., and Lequez Spearman, Ph.D.; and Modern Greece overseen by Athanasia Biska.

Some programs functioned as traditional embedded courses where students attended classes on the Queens campus from January to May before traveling as cohorts later on. Other models were designed for specific student groups such as Katherine C. Aquino's inaugural Global Studies and Distance Learning in Higher Education program for doctoral students at St John's Rome location.

The Ozanam Scholars program continued its long-standing Anthropological Fieldwork in Global Sustainable Development course in Ecuador under Adjunct Professor Pablo J Sanchez's guidance.

In addition to sending its own students abroad, the Office of International Education welcomed international visitors aiming to improve their English language skills through immersion experiences at the English Language Institute based in New York City.

For three consecutive years now—20 Chilean high schoolers spent one week honing their language abilities while exploring major landmarks around New York City & Washington D.C.; whereas ten participants from Japan's Kokushikan University engaged throughout August learning more about American culture through classes combined with city excursions culminating weekly conversations alongside native peers providing mutual exchange opportunities beneficial both ways alike!

Dennis Cuadros serves as Assistant Director responsible overseeing Short-Term Programs within said office having accumulated extensive background teaching mathematics prior joining university ranks recently enhancing overall operations further expanding horizons forward positively impacting numerous lives collectively along way ahead inevitably!