International & Domestic Programs Student Stories

While studying abroad had been a dream of mine for years, I rarely envisioned it to mean living with three kids, one host mom, one roommate, and one dog. 

The chance to study at Swarthmore has shown me that Pomona’s philosophy of Promise in the Place is a lesson to take with me beyond the West Coast.

Gilman Scholarships are helping to ease the financial burden of study abroad for several Pomona College students this spring semester. After their return, they will help other students plan to study abroad as well.

In the seventh grade, I created a “game plan” for becoming a diplomat. I knew the requirements (even the physical exam) and the studies I would have to go through to travel the world and create connections internationally.

Based in Washington, D.C., Leyth Swidan '16 works on U.S.-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations and building support for U.S. policy priorities across the Gulf. He previously completed two-year assignments in both Kuwait and Denmark.

Studying abroad in Ecuador was one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. Based in Quito, I took classes on tropical biology and ecology, Ecuador’s key conservation issues, and Ecuadorian culture and slang, all in Spanish.

An Oldenborg International Research and Travel Grant allowed two Pomona students to explore Irish traditional music and a French regional language during the summer of 2024. 

When I tell my friends that I miss the food in Kyoto, they nod sympathetically.

Spending my junior year spring semester studying at University College London (UCL) was honestly pretty fantastic.

Studying abroad in Paris sounds like something straight out of a rom-com, right? The Eiffel Tower, baguettes, Paris Fashion Week—what’s not to love?