Dr. Leo H. Kirchhoff Study Away Program Allows Students to See New Places, Experience New Things in 2025
Opportunities to see the world are awaiting students at Midland University.
Through the Dr. Leo H. Kirchhoff Study Away program, students can see new places, meet new people, and discover countless new experiences.
“When I was 19, I had my first opportunity to travel to new parts of the world by myself, and it was such an amazing opportunity to get to know people that I built lifelong friendships with,” said Dr. Cammy Romanuck Murphy, Director of Graduate and Doctoral Programs for the Walker School of Education at Midland.
Romanuck Murphy will be a part of both Study Away experiences in 2025. She and Brittany Scully, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, will lead a group to Boston from May 11-18. Later that summer, she and Dr. Courtney Wilder, Professor of Religion, will lead a two-week excursion to Tanzania from July 27-August 10.
Through the Study Away program, Midland students have experienced trips to places like Australia, Central America, Tanzania, Puerto Rico, Ireland, and, most recently, Italy.
Wilder has been fortunate to travel with Midland groups in the past and encourages students to take advantage of the experiences traveling presents.
“These are opportunities you might not have when you get older, and it’s harder to find the time to travel,” she said. “The trip to Tanzania is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip and a unique experience.”
The travel course to Tanzania, in which students will earn three credit hours, will allow students to engage in cross-cultural activities in various settings in Tanzania, including schools, healthcare settings, and community-based programs for children with disabilities. It will also feature a hike on Mount Kilimanjaro and a guided safari.
“We will get to see everything the country has to offer and see the diversity that exists, as well as the landscapes, foods, and cultures that are different from anything we have experienced,” Wilder said. “There will be so many learning experiences during this trip, and I am so excited to be able to learn right along with the students.”
Midland has previously made excursions to Tanzania through its connection with Opportunity Education Foundation, a group directed by Midland alum Martin Russell ‘86.
“I know the trips that have been made to Tanzania in the past have been very powerful and impactful,” Romanuck Murphy said. “We are so grateful for the continuing relationships we are developing with people in Tanzania through our partnership with Opportunity Education Foundation.”
An opportunity to learn more about the history of the United States awaits students looking to make the trip to Boston in May. The week-long journey features historical tours, walking the Freedom Trail, learning about the witch trials in Salem, whale watching, and a chance to see the Boston Red Sox play at legendary Fenway Park. Students will earn three credit hours through the course Unpacking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through U.S. History.
“Boston is such an incredible place and has a very European feel to it,” Romanuck Murphy said. “It’s got great food, music, and history and is a very walkable city. You see students’ eyes light up when we talk about Boston.”
Whether Boston or Tanzania, getting to experience new places is an important part of the journey for college students.
“I lived abroad for four years when I turned 18, and it changed my perspective,” Scully said. “This is a great opportunity for students, and from our perspective as people who have had the chance to see other parts of the world, I can’t emphasize enough how important travel is.”
Spots are limited for both Study Away trips, and early registration is encouraged. First deposits for each trip are due by mid-October.
To learn more, visit the Dr. Leo H. Kirchhoff Study Away program page.
