Frances Carlson
Study Abroad Program: IES Granada, Spain
Major: English
Minor: Politics
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2026
Why Did I Study Abroad?
After a long, indecisive, visa-drama-full Fall semester, I found a home in Granada, Spain during the Spring of 2025. Although studying abroad was always on my radar, it felt like a big sacrifice to leave Pomona for an entire semester and, additionally, I was unsure about which country or city might be best. It took numerous conversations with friends, program returnees, and IDPO advisors to find the “right fit,” yet it wasn’t until my first week in Granada that I felt sure about my decision. This is all to say that not everyone has a “dream” study abroad location or vision, but this can lend itself to great new discoveries.
While studying in Granada, I was hoping to improve my Spanish language skills, to visit rural and metropolitan areas in the country, to eat copious amounts of pimientos de padrón, and to learn about the intricacies and interconnectedness of Spanish culture and history. Most importantly, however, I wanted to meet and learn from new people. Granada offered all of this in abundance.
I feel lucky to have landed in a place where professors and administrators felt like both mentors and friends, where class time felt like an adventure rather than an obligation, and where the city felt like a community at every turn. From weekly soccer games to a surprise cooking class to program trips across Spain and into Morocco, IES made sure to bring the classroom outside and offer opportunities for students to come together. Granada—as a city in and of itself—is an incredibly lively and historical place, always offering new surprises: an art exhibition or marching band performance in my 375 year old dorm (Lorca lived there as a student!), a class field trip to a 700 year old hammam, a float-filled parade in the city center, a three-generation flamenco show in front of the cathedral, a proposal at the end of a two-hour/two-actor play, a fiesta for the new roof of a 600 year old ceramic factory, the list goes on.
Come talk to me about all-things Spain, Granada, and study abroad!
Specific Topics of Interest: language immersion abroad, work-life balance abroad, thoughtful travel while abroad
On-Campus Activities: On the Loose (5Cs Outdoors Club), English Department Liaison, Club Volleyball, OA Leader
Favorite Place at Pomona: The bathroom on the second floor of Crookshank (I can explain)
Fall 2025 Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-12pm
Ireland Griffin
Study Abroad Program: Pomona College Program at Jesus College
Majors: Public Policy with a Concentration in Gender & Women’s Studies, Politics
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2026
Why Did I Study Abroad?
Studying abroad was always an aspiration for me, even before arriving at Pomona, and is something I saw as an opportunity to challenge myself, both academically and personally. When exploring the available programs, I knew I wanted to find something that was deeply different from any classroom experience I had before. This was why, the unique nature of the Cambridge program along with the chance to experience the tutorial system firsthand felt like a perfect way to push myself as a student.
Beyond the courses and professors themselves, simply having access to centuries worth of archives and manuscripts, along with so many incredibly historic sites, truly was a once in a lifetime experience. Outside of the classroom, I had the opportunity to take part in various programs and activities, such as joining the Jesus College Boating Club with a fellow Pomona student, to all of the incredible field trips we took as a cohort with our program director.
This program truly allowed me to fall in love with not only Cambridge, but the United Kingdom as a whole, and saying goodbye to Jesus College, while incredibly difficult, made me realize how much I had grown and flourished while away from Pomona.
Specific Topics of Interest: finances/planning while abroad, increasing access/diversity to study abroad, queer students' experiences abroad
On-Campus Activities: Associated Students of Pomona College, Model United Nations, Student Affairs Committee, Academic Affairs Committee
Favorite Place at Pomona: Marston Quad (In the Shade) & Carnegie Basement
Fall 2025 Hours: Mondays & Fridays 9am-12pm
Sophia Merchant
Study Abroad Program: IES Rabat
Majors: Public Policy Analysis (EA)
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2026
Why Did I Study Abroad?
I have always wanted to study abroad. Originally, I was dead set on studying in France in order to become fluent in French. However, as I started learning Arabic in college and had a lot of fun doing so, I thought Morocco would be the best of both worlds. I also wanted to challenge myself to live in a region that was a bit more dissimilar to what I was familiar with, and felt that studying abroad was a perfect opportunity to use Pomona’s generous support and structure to do so.
The new experiences, memories, and perspectives I gained from the classes I took and people I met were invaluable. During my time in Morocco, I truly cherished the opportunity I had to go beyond just being a tourist and the gain a deeper insight into the people and places around me. As a peer mentor, I’m excited to help others students in finding a program best suited to their unique goals and be a resource throughout their study away journey.
Specific Topics of Interest: cultural immersion, identity while abroad
On-Campus Activities: LINC, Rooftop Garden, Class Committee
Favorite Place at Pomona: The Farm
Fall 2025 Hours: Mondays 1:00-5:00pm, Tuesdays 3:00-5:00pm, and Fridays 9:00am-12:00pm
Mari Nishitani
Study Abroad Program: Pitzer in Nepal
Majors: Environmental Analysis with Race, Class and Gender Concentration
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2026
Why Did I Study Abroad?
I studied abroad because I was wanting to experience more experiential immersive learning. My goal for the study abroad to really deeply connect with the people, community, and land of the destination, have not just academic but personal growth.
When I was looking for programs, I considered multiple programs and talked to many returnees. When I talked to alumni form Pitzer in Nepal program, every single one of them expressed that this program was one of the hardest things they ever done in life but it was so rewarding and also loved hearing about how much love and connections they feel to the program and Nepali community. I wanted to be challenged so I jumped into the program.
My study abroad has indeed been very very transformative. I started learning Nepali from scratch and the program allowed me to get to a level of conducting research for three weeks on my own, interviewing almost 40 people in Nepali. I still am connected to and makes a phone call once in a while to my host families, send each other pictures, and feel that I have a life-long connection.
Specific Topics of Interest: Langauge, Cultural Immersion, Independent Research, Host Families, Study Abroad in Global South
On-Campus Activities: People of Colour Outside, Japanese Language Partner
Favorite Place at Pomona: Womxn's Union Lounge
Fall 2025 Hours: Wednesdays 9:00am-3:00pm and Fridays 1:00-5:00pm
Miyu Owada
Study Abroad Program: Middlebury School in Japan: Tokyo (International Christian University)
Majors: Asian Studies, Anthropology
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2026
Why Did I Study Abroad?
I knew from when I entered college that I wanted to study abroad in Japan. Coming from a Japanese heritage growing up in Hawaii, I gained native fluency by going to Saturday school and self-studying. While I visited relatives for short periods over school breaks, I never was a resident and saw myself as somewhere between tourist and local. Seeking for experiences that would explore my heritage and identity—in addition to polishing my academic and business-level Japanese—I decided to study abroad for an academic year, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
From Japanese archaeology classes working hands-on at an excavation site on-campus, taking Koto (Japanese zither) and Tea Ceremony lessons as part of my community engagement practicum, to Middlebury program trips to rural areas of Japan, my time abroad expanded my horizons and allowed me to gain insight into the dimensions of Japan I had never engaged with before. While study abroad came with its own set of challenges for me, I’m eternally grateful for the invaluable memories, connections, and growth I’ve made.
Specific Topics of Interest: Being abroad for a year, heritage speaker students, finance abroad, cultural/language immersion abroad
On-Campus Activities: Center for Speaking, Writing, and the Image (CSWIM), Pomona College Band, Private Music Lessons (Clarinet), Asian Studies Liaison
Favorite Place at Pomona: Coop Fountain, Bridges Hall of Music
Fall 2025 Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00am-12:00pm
Emma Tom
Study Abroad Program: CET Taiwan
Majors: Asian Studies, Politics
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2026
Why Did I Study Abroad?
All of my friends can attest that since my freshman year, I have been adamant about studying abroad. Before college, I could not speak a lick of Mandarin, so I dedicated the first two years of undergrad to taking Chinese, hoping to eventually study in a Mandarin-speaking country. When I heard about CET Taiwan, which was dedicated to providing intense language instruction, through the IDPO office, I knew immediately where I would be in the spring. I felt beyond prepared to start my journey in Taiwan after the check-ins with the IDPO office and constant points of communication with my program coordinators.
I was blessed to have grown leaps and bounds over the course of my three months in Taiwan, both intellectually and interpersonally. Studying abroad in college can not only shape your future career ambitions but also expose you to different cultures that will broaden your outlook on the world. Every day, I reminisce about the lush scenery, bustling night markets, late-night conversations with roommates in an amusing exchange of Chinglish, and feeling so fulfilled for the first time in my life. I look forward to chatting with anyone interested in studying abroad and sharing small anecdotes that will hopefully give you some insight into how life-changing this opportunity is!
Specific Topics of Interest: Foreign language living and immersion, mental health while abroad, work-life balance while abroad
On-Campus Activities: Milk and Honey, STEP, Asian Studies liaison, Pomona College Dance Departments
Favorite Place at Pomona: Linguistics Library at Edmunds
Fall 2025 Hours: Wednesdays 3:00-5:00pm and Thursdays 1:00-3:00pm