Start college with a global adventure
The WheaGo Global First-Semester Study Abroad program kick-starts your college career in one of the world’s great cities, immersed in an exciting cultural adventure and focused on your top academic interests.
This is an opportunity for ambitious, adventurous and mature students who possess a strong interest in global study and are excited to spend the fall semester at a distinguished off-campus location.
Choose one of four unique and exciting options: international business and management in Sydney, Australia; communications and international relations in Barcelona, Spain; art, design and fashion in Paris; or culture, sustainability and the sciences in Lugano, Switzerland.
WheaGo courses count fully toward your Wheaton degree, and ensure that you keep pace toward graduation with students who remain on campus. In addition, the program fulfills requirements for the college’s honors programs, giving you a head start on advanced study options.
Destinations
Barcelona, Spain
Blanquerna – Universitat Ramon Llull
Lugano, Switzerland
Franklin University Switzerland
Sydney, Australia
International College of Management Sydney
Paris, France
Paris College of Art
Barcelona, Spain
Blanquerna – Universitat Ramon Llull
Communications and international relations
Dig into mass media, digital communication and international relations while living in one of Europe’s major cultural and economic centers. The vibrant city of Barcelona, a port city that serves as a regional hub on the Mediterranean, provides an excellent setting for studying the intersection of international affairs, media and cutting-edge communication.
Wheaton students study at Blanquerna – Universitat Ramon Llull, the city’s first and oldest private university. The communication and international relations school is located in one of Barcelona’s most exciting neighborhoods, El Raval, which combines cultural treasures with a bustling street scene and multicultural neighborhoods arrayed along the waterfront.
In addition to studying and being fully engaged in the Blanquerna campus, WheaGo participants will take a Spanish or Catalan language course and will be immersed in Barcelona’s Catalan culture.
See courses offered in Spain
Lugano, Switzerland
Franklin University Switzerland
Culture, sustainability and the sciences
The picture-postcard scenery of Switzerland’s countryside punctuated with densely-populated cities and modern infrastructure offers an excellent setting for studying sustainability, science and culture. Wheaton students tackle these topics—along with a French, Italian or German language course—at Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland, which is located in the heart of Europe.
A leader in international education, Franklin University was among Europe’s first liberal arts institutions. Today, its campus draws students from around the world for its distinctive mix of interdisciplinary, experiential and personal learning, a philosophy that matches Wheaton’s curriculum and educational mission.
Wheaton students live on the Franklin campus, which overlooks Lake Lugano and is backed by the Brè and San Salvatore mountains. From there, it’s a short walk (or quick ride on public transit) to Lugano’s central district, which is a hub of the country’s Italian-speaking Ticino region and its rich mix of Swiss-Mediterranean cultures.
See courses offered in Switzerland
Sydney, Australia
International College of Management Sydney
Business, management and hospitality
Sydney means business. Australia’s largest city ranks as one of the world’s top economic power centers, linking global business in North America, Europe and Oceania. In this beautiful and bustling city, Wheaton students study at the International College of Management Sydney (ICMS), a renowned business school situated in this global financial hub.
ICMS draws students from around the globe on the strength of its teaching and learning philosophy, which (like Wheaton) melds classroom study with experiential learning and a highly flexible curriculum. ICMS academic faculty have extensive industry experience, high-level qualifications and a passion for teaching.
Wheaton students live and learn at the college’s Northern Beaches Campus, which combines the casual and fun atmosphere of Manly Beach with a focus on immersive learning that extends to the college’s business attire dress code, and easy ferry access to the city’s central financial district, the iconic Sydney Opera House and more.
See courses offered in Australia
Paris, France
Paris College of Art
Art, fashion and design
Paris is renowned as the world’s capital of art and fashion. It’s the perfect setting to immerse yourself in global culture. Wheaton partners with one of the city’s most well-known institutions for arts education, Paris College of Art, which offers a mix of traditional coursework and experiential learning opportunities in the heart of Paris.
More than 40 countries are represented at the Paris College of Art, bringing great diversity to academic and campus life. Students will take a course in French and the college’s course work also makes extensive use of the rich resources of the city.
Wheaton students live independently in studio apartments in a building managed by the college, offering unparalleled opportunities for experiencing the city through full cultural immersion. The program also includes a number of managed excursions to sample the riches of the city, from walking tours and cooking classes to concerts, theater and sporting events.
See courses offered in France
Details
About WheaGo
Wheaton’s first-semester abroad programs are offered in partnership with the international universities at which students study, and it is managed by the Center for Global Education. Wheaton has decades of experience in overseeing study abroad offerings on its own and through its network of partner institutions.
WheaGo students will choose from a selected list of courses that count toward Wheaton’s graduation requirements. In each location, Wheaton students enjoy full access to the institutions’ resources and facilities—from library and computing labs to sports and social organizations and activities.
Before you go
The WheaGo program begins on the Wheaton campus with an orientation program that will prepare students for success during their time abroad. The orientation will cover practical matters as well as aspects of cross-cultural living and learning, giving participants the tools they need to make the most of their time abroad. In addition, the session will provide students the opportunity to form connections with classmates heading to the same program as well as those who will study in other locations.
Cost of attendance
In general, students who participate in the WheaGo program will pay tuition, room and board to Wheaton. (Students who study in Paris will not be charged for board (meals), as they will live in apartments and cook for themselves.) The college’s institutional financial aid and grants apply to these programs as though the student were on campus. Other costs such as airfare, visas, and living expenses are also the responsibility of the student.
Application and eligibility
The WheaGo program is designed for a special kind of student, one who may have some travel experience, a demonstrated ability to learn independently and comfort in navigating unfamiliar situations. In addition, successful students should have a strong interest in the special academic focus of the program in which they would like to enroll. To meet the program’s visa requirements, students must be at least 18 years of age by mid-May to participate. Upon admission to the college, interested students will be offered the opportunity to apply to WheaGo.
Contact us
Office of Admission
26 E. Main Street
Norton, Massachusetts 02766-2322
P: +1-508-286-8251
F: +1-508-286-8271