Study Abroad
Meaningful academic engagement abroad can be a significant and transformative element to a world-class undergraduate education, no matter what your major. Studying abroad is one of the best ways to learn about the cultural, economic, political, and scientific forces that shape our world. These experiences will challenge your perspectives, expand your self-awareness, and inspire lifelong global engagement.
Mercyhurst’s Office of Global Programs offers a range of options for students interested in studying abroad, including semester-long and summer programs, a full term in Dungarvan, Ireland (Erie’s sister city), and many opportunities for faculty-led, course-related travel to locations across the globe. Mercyhurst also partners with internationally recognized affiliate programs for independent study abroad opportunities.
Short-Term Study Abroad
The Faculty-Student Academic Travel (FSAT) programs offer students and faculty shorter-term options for study abroad at course-specific locations around the world. FSAT courses link in-class course experiences to unique travel components. Together, students and their professors study incredible content and travel to fascinating destinations in order to bring content to life in the world and on the ground. Programs run from 8 to 11 days. Multiple destinations are available every year, and each trip offers two to three classes to choose from. Students can earn academic credit toward their major or minor, or satisfy REACH Curriculum requirements.
In recent years, FSAT programs have taken students and professors to study indigenous cultures in Australia and New Zealand; art therapy in Nepal; crisis informatics in Iceland; science and martial arts as well as photography and video-making in Japan; history and criminal justice in Dublin, Galway, and Belfast; philosophy and religion in Spain, France, and Italy; theatre, psychology, and English in Italy and Greece; social work and public health in Guyana, Haiti, and Nepal; biology field experiences in Peru; and fashion studies in Italy, to name a few.
Seize the opportunity to see the world – check out the short-term FSAT opportunities and find out where your adventure is waiting!
Dungarvan, Ireland
A signature Mercyhurst experience, Mercyhurst in Ireland offers a small group of students the opportunity to live and study in the coastal town of Dungarvan, Ireland, for eight weeks each spring semester. For more than 30 years, Mercyhurst has cultivated strong relationships with the Dungarvan community, creating one of the university’s most immersive and rewarding study abroad experiences.
Unlike many Study Abroad programs, Mercyhurst in Ireland allows students to spend an extended period living as members of the local community rather than simply visiting as tourists. Students take Mercyhurst courses while experiencing Irish culture firsthand through daily life, local traditions, and meaningful interactions with residents. One of the program’s most memorable traditions is participating in Dungarvan’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade alongside the local community.
In addition to living and studying in Dungarvan, students have the opportunity to travel on weekends in small groups throughout Ireland and other European destinations. These independent excursions, planned by students with faculty approval, encourage confidence, responsibility, and cultural exploration. The program also includes faculty-led group travel, including a tour of western Ireland and a weekend in Dublin, allowing students to experience the country’s diverse landscapes, history, and culture together.
Mercyhurst in Ireland is more than a study abroad program—it’s an opportunity to build lifelong friendships, develop independence, and gain a global perspective through authentic cultural immersion.
Rome, Italy
Our Rome program launched in Fall 2025 with its first cohort of eight students. Offered in partnership with Education First, this eight-week fall semester program gives students the opportunity to live and study in the heart of Rome, Italy. Students take courses taught by Mercyhurst faculty while immersing themselves in the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and everyday Italian life—all steps away from iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and Vatican City.
Like our Dungarvan program, students have the opportunity to explore Italy and the rest of Europe independently in small groups on select weekends. They also participate in two faculty-led weekend excursions organized in collaboration with our partners in Rome, providing unforgettable cultural and educational experiences. There is truly nothing quite like studying abroad in one of the world’s most historic and inspiring cities.
Affiliated Programs
Though Mercyhurst University offers a wide selection of different trips to students each year, there are also a variety of study abroad programs to choose from outside the university. Mercyhurst students are encouraged to select the program that best suits their needs.
As the university is determined to provide our students with the best options, the Office of Global Programs maintains close relationships with nine unique and diverse programs. All of these programs are well-established and internationally recognized.
- Academic Programs International – API
- Academic Studies Abroad – ASA
- American Institute for Foreign Study – AIFS
- CIS Abroad
- The Council on International Educational Exchange – CIEE
- Cultural Experiences Abroad – CEA
- Global Experiences - Internships Abroad
- International Studies Abroad - ISA
- Semester at Sea
- SSA Education Abroad
Scholarships for Study Abroad
Mercyhurst University has three scholarships that are designated to support students to study abroad. Below are the descriptions and donor information for the scholarships. Applications are accepted bi-annually during the months of March and October.
The Anne Yeschenko Verbanick Endowed Scholarship was established in 2016 by Megan Verbanick in honor of Anne Yeschenko Verbanick. The scholarship supports students, who are planning to study abroad to help offset costs. Additional criteria are that the students should be in good academic standing and from the Pittsburgh (first preference) or Erie (second preference) areas.
The Heidi Hosey-McGurk, Ph.D. Scholarship was established in 2022 by family, friends, and colleagues in memory of Heidi, who was a beloved faculty member and administrator at Mercyhurst for over 30 years. The scholarship supports a student in financial need, who is planning to study abroad. A scholarship of $1,000 will be given annually as funds last.
The Study Abroad Scholarship was established in 2014 by an anonymous donor. The scholarship supports students in financial need to study abroad, preferably for FSAT courses.
Students choose to study abroad for many reasons. Some want to see the world, others want to learn about new cultures and/or work on their language skills, while others want to build skills that are attractive to future employers. Whatever the reasons, study abroad complements academic study and is an essential part of preparing to thrive in an increasingly global 21st century world community.
Faculty-Student Academic Travel (FSAT) programs provide Mercyhurst students the opportunity for a short-term, faculty-led experience abroad. Most FSAT program courses carry college credit and can fulfill a requirement in the REACH core curriculum and/or the student’s major, depending on the program. Each course is linked to its own custom travel component that brings the classroom to life. Together, Mercyhurst students and faculty travel abroad to amazing destinations to make a valuable connection between the classroom and real-world experience. These programs are great options for first-time travelers and students whose personal, professional, or academic situation does not allow them to be out of the country for an extended period of time.
The Mercyhurst in Ireland Program is a full-term experience that takes Mercyhurst students and faculty to the Mercyhurst University Ireland facility in Dungarvan, Ireland for eight weeks. If accepted, students take 2-3 courses onsite in Ireland, live in university-leased accommodations, and travel/study throughout Ireland and Europe as part of the program.
Independent Programs offer many options for students in all majors for summer, semester, and full-year study abroad. These programs are administered by "affiliates," which are approved providers (i.e. international study abroad programs such as AIFS, Global Experiences, API, CEA, CIEE, CIS, ISA, Semester at Sea, SSA Education Abroad).
Undergraduate students who have completed at least 30 credits, meet the minimum GPA requirement, and are not on academic or disciplinary sanction are eligible to apply for Study Abroad through the Office of Global Programs. Eligible students may study abroad for a full academic year, a single semester, or during the summer. Some academic programs may have curricular restrictions that limit when students can study abroad. Most programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, while many require at least a 3.0.
First-year students who wish to study abroad during the spring semester may be eligible if space is available and they provide a letter of recommendation from an educator or employer.
Not only are there programs in locations where English is the primary language, many study abroad programs offer courses taught in English while providing introduction to and support for the development of a second language.
A number of the university's affiliates (i.e. international study abroad programs such as AIFS, Global Experiences, CEA, CIEE etc.) offer programs that facilitate students seeking to do community/service learning or completing internships. Students interested in learning more about these opportunities are encouraged to consult with staff in the Office of Global Programs at least one year prior to the targeted study abroad term.
There is no correct time to study abroad, although most students study abroad in either their sophomore or junior years. Freshmen are not permitted to study abroad with affiliate programs but may participate in Mercyhurst-sponsored programs such as FSAT and Ireland.
Depending on the program and/or study destination, the cost of studying abroad could be similar to tuition fees at Mercyhurst, or more expensive. Students need to consider a number of factors when calculating study abroad expenses, including what the program fee does or doesn't include (i.e. airfare, housing, meals), as well as differences in the cost of living in various locations. Programs like AIFS, API, CEA, Athena Abroad, CIEE, CIS, ISA, Semester at Sea, SSA Education Abroad, and many others offer scholarships to students studying abroad with their programs.
It depends on how and when a student wants to study abroad and on the kinds of financial aid a particular student might be eligible for, but typically, some part of a student's financial aid may be applied to study abroad.
Yes, Mercyhurst has three scholarships designated for students with financial need to be used for study abroad programs. Applications are accepted bi-annually during the months of March and October.
Students need to begin planning at least two terms before they hope to study abroad! The earlier a student starts, the more successful the study abroad experience.
The vast majority of Mercyhurst students have plenty of room to fit study abroad into their four-year curriculum plans. Moreover, there are Mercyhurst sponsored programs, such as FSAT and Ireland, that are designed specifically to meet the needs of students who have particularly stringent academic requirements.
Most applications are available online and/or in the Office of Global Programs. Students need to begin by meeting with a study abroad advisor to learn about the application and approval processes. Application submission processes vary widely, but students can expect that they will have to submit general information, possibly an essay, an official university transcript, and one or more letters of recommendation.
Contact Us
You can also stop in to get more information during office hours.
Office Location: Preston 101, 103, and 105
Phone: 814-824-2351
Email: studyabroad@mercyhurst.edu