Academics
2026 Study Abroad Trips Announced
Opportunities Include London, Italy and Iceland
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 29, 2025) – Wake Tech students will have the opportunity to take their education global next year with three exciting Study Abroad trips.
The college's Global Education program has announced planned trips to London, Italy and Iceland as part of academic courses. The faculty-led experiences combine academics with hands-on learning and cultural immersion, offering students the chance to grow personally and professionally while exploring the world.
"Study Abroad is a transformative experience," says Dr. Rebecca Berry, Wake Tech's director of Global Education. "Course content comes to life through real-world experiences. Cultural immersion builds confidence and problem-solving skills, and students return with the global awareness employers value."
- England - A Journey Through Literary History
During Spring Break, students in ENG-242: British Literature II will spend March 13-21 in London with faculty member Gabrielle Volstad. They'll explore major literary movements from the Romantic period to today, visit the British Library and Westminster Abbey and attend "The Mousetrap" in the West End. Guided tours will connect literature to history and place.
"Studying abroad pushes students to dive into course content rather than passively take it in," says Volstad. "Living the lessons in real spaces is both fascinating and humbling. Students come away with a stronger sense of their place in the world and how their actions can leave a lasting impact."
- Italy - A Culinary and Cultural Feast
In May, students in CUL-287: Cultural Experience will join Chef Aaron Stumb for an 11-day exploration of central Italy. From cooking classes with local chefs to touring world-famous vineyards and food producers, students will experience the heart of Italian cuisine and culture in Rome, Turin and the picturesque Cinque Terre.
"Many students arrive with a lifetime of experience shaped by Americanized Italian food," says Stumb. "This trip gives them the chance to confront those preconceptions as they explore Italy region by region, tasting traditional dishes, learning from local chefs and discovering how diverse and deeply rooted Italian cuisine truly is."
- Iceland - Real-World Math in a Global Context
In June, students in MAT-143: Quantitative Literacy will travel to Reykjavik with faculty member Brooke Outlaw for a nine-day trip focused on climate change. Students will use math to analyze CO2 emissions and temperature data, visiting geothermal power plants, sustainability centers and natural sites like Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.
"This program is a chance for students to see the direct application of math to global issues," says Outlaw. "It's not just about solving equations. It's about using those equations to ask better questions and inspire change."
This is the only Study Abroad trip open to students in Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs, so early applications are encouraged.
Scholarships will be available through the Wake Tech Foundation to help make these trips more affordable. Students can indicate their interest in a potential scholarship on the Study Abroad application and should watch for updates in the Fall semester.
This summer, students in music, art and business courses are gaining unforgettable study abroad experiences in London, Paris and Japan.
Global education opportunities are available for all students, whether or not they travel abroad. Currently, Wake Tech offers more than 70 global-intensive courses that incorporate international themes and real-world applications. Students who complete globally focused coursework, attend international events, participate in a community project and present a capstone project are eligible to receive special recognition as a Scholar of Global Distinction. Scholars receive a certificate, an honors cord for graduation and transcript recognition. This spring, Devin Carhart became the college's first Scholar of Global Distinction, paving the way for future globally minded graduates.
