The Center for Global Education and Experience Study Abroad

Starting our second week at Spanish school in Xela, Guatemala!🇬🇹 Here are some highlights

Hello from our first full day in The Walled City of Derry~Londonderry!

We met up with our lovely program director, Nigel, before checking out Magee Campus, the Peace Bridge, and the River Foyle. The city is very much abustle, and we're doing our best to keep up with the new food, street art, and weather here in the north. Cheers!

Reconnecting with nature in Cape Town! Next stop, Namibia:)

Our next social media ambassador comes to us from Norway!

"Hi everyone! I'm glad to be a part of the HIOF community as a Social Work major specified in child welfare. I'm looking forward to showing you how a normal day as a social work student looks like in Norway and share my sights, knowledge, and experiences I have as a social work major with you all!"

Introducing our next social media ambassador!

"Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be sharing my journey from Cuernavaca, Mexico. I’m currently a senior at Clark University, majoring in Spanish with a minor in entrepreneurship. In my free time, I love taking photos, social dancing, and spending time with friends. I can’t wait to share my experiences with you all :) !"

Introducing our next social media ambassador, Raziya Kurban, who will be posting from Norway this fall semester:

"Hi everyone! I am thrilled to be part of the HIOF community as a Social Work major. This semester, I am excited to explore the world of social work more deeply and engage with the challenges and opportunities that come with it. I can’t wait to share my experiences and insights with you all as I continue on this meaningful journey."

We can’t wait to follow along as you embark on this exciting semester!

Study abroad in Norway and explore contemporary social issues from a Norwegian point-of-view, including (but not limited to):

✅ the climate crisis and environmental sustainability
✅ national identity
✅ gender equality
✅ immigration
✅ happiness
✅ housing
✅ labor rights
✅ renewable energy
✅ economic inequality

We hope you’ll consider applying to our new program, “Social Systems, Sustainability, and Justice in Norway.” Learn more and apply at: go.augsburg.edu/norway.

Introducing our next ambassador, Garrett, who will be posting from Northern Ireland this semester!

"Hi y'all! My name is Garrett Fitzgerald, and I'm super excited to be joining CGEE in Northern Ireland this fall. From St. Olaf College, where I'm double-majoring in sociology and mathematics, I enjoy trail running, community theater, and SF books. I'm looking forward to this opportunity to share with you the sights and experiences: from Ulster University to Belfast to the border counties and more, gaining understanding in the establishment and continuation of peace."

Today we officially started our fall semester in Central America!! After a morning orientation session in Guatemala city, we visited de to learn about the archaeology of Mayan sites in the city. So happy to be learning with you all!!

We are happy to kickstart our 2024 fall semester. Currently in Johannesburg. So far having done the Soweto tour which included a visit to the Nelson Mandela house, Hector Peterson Museum and a visit to the Constitutional hill. Our fall semester consists of students from by Clark University, Denison University , Grinnell College and St. Olaf College.

Introducing our next social media ambassador, Zandie, who will be posting from Namibia and South Africa this fall semester:

"Hi everyone! I am so excited to be participating the CGEE Decolonizing the Mind: Environmental and Social Justice program for this upcoming semester. I am currently a Politics & Public Affairs and Environmental Justice double major and can't wait to explore the topics of my program further. I look forward to sharing my journey with you all :)"

We can’t wait to hear more as you go through your study abroad adventure!

Welcome to Fredrikstad, Norway! From exploring charming old town streets, to taking the free commuter ferry up and down the River Glomma, and enjoying Scandinavian life, we can’t wait to welcome you here on our newest semester program in fall of 2025.

We hope you’ll consider applying to our new program, “Social Systems, Sustainability, and Justice in Norway.” Learn more and apply at: go.augsburg.edu/norway.

Introducing our next social media ambassadors! Learn more about Kaela, who will be posting from Guatemala and Costa Rica this fall semester:

"Hi everyone! My name is Kaela Hawkins (she/her), and I am a junior International Studies major studying at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. This semester I am thrilled to participate in the CGEE New Activisms, Human Rights, and Social Justice program taking place in both Guatemala and Costa Rica. I can’t wait to take this opportunity to travel and learn about myself and the world. I hope you’ll stay to follow my journey!"

New video drop ! Hear from Jackie, an in Mexico, about finding their place abroad with Casa Augsburg ❤

Student Stories with Jackie: in Mexico Jackie, an Auggie on our summer language program in Cuernavaca, talks all things study abroad: nervousness, host families, and finding your place abroad as a...

Ready for NORWAY? 🇳🇴

Augsburg CGEE is thrilled to announce our NEW study abroad semester program in Norway! Learn from experts, experience Nordic culture, and gain invaluable skills on our program, “Social Systems, Sustainability, and Justice in Norway.” Learn more and apply at: go.augsburg.edu/norway.

The first program launches Fall Semester 2025, applications are open now!

Open trip opportunity: travel to El Salvador for an immersion, from November 30 to December 10, 2024.

Experience first-hand the development of Liberation Theology amid political hostilities in El Salvador. This immersion, customized by CGEE for Iliff School of Theology, is opening its registrations to those outside of Iliff, for a limited number of participants.

Cost per participant will be $2,600 (does not include airfare; estimated average $750).

Interested? Send us a message at [email protected] with "El Salvador Immersion" in the subject line ASAP. Spots are limited; must register before September 2nd (first come-first serve!).

Joined here in South African by Music therapy students for a 10 days visit. It includes a visit the University of Pretoria’s department of Music Therapy and various clinical site visits in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

It was an honor to host Westminster University and explore topics related to their Master’s program in Community and Organizational Leadership within the Guatemalan context.

From early to mid-June, we welcomed the Carolina Concert Choir to Cuernavaca, Mexico for a cultural exchange. They were able to perform with two Mexican choral groups during their visit!

Encountering some beautiful Costa Rican wildlife!

Scenes from this week in El Salvador! Students from Archbishop Mitty High School have traveled with us on a custom program to El Salvador as a part of their class, “Ethics, Culture, and Justice in El Salvador.”

Thanks to trip leaders, Susan Peacock and Cesar Acevedo.

1 - CGEE trip leader at the Monument of Memory and Truth. The names of 30,000 Salvadorans who were killed or disappeared and engraved on this wall in a city park.
2 - Group visit to the rose garden and rooms where the Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were assassinated in November 1989.
3 - Students in the chapel at the Jesuit-run Central American University (UCA) in San Salvador.
4 - Susan and former Jesuit priest, Richard Howard.

This week, several educators from across our partner institutions will embark on a 5-day journey through Northern Ireland, to get a small taste of what our semester students experience on their program, “Conflict, Peace, and Transition in Northern Ireland.”

We will be visiting Belfast, Derry-Londonderry, and many places in between!

Dear friends of CGEE, please consider helping our dear colleague and friend, Ann (Anita) Lutterman-Aguilar, in her time of need.

On May 9th Anita lost her soulmate when the world lost a wonderful man, Germán Aguilar Gutierrez. In addition to our prayers and love, our friends have started a gofundme to help offset the unexpected medical and funeral expenses that Ann is now facing.

https://gofund.me/b2081592

Germán Ruben Aguilar Gutierrez — presente!

Donate to Help Anita cover a portion of medical and funeral expenses., organized by Leah Spinosa de Vega Hi, I am Leah Spinosa de Vega, a friend and colleague of Anit… Leah Spinosa de Vega needs your support for Help Anita cover a portion of medical and funeral expenses.

We are happy to welcome West Chester University their Guatemalan Cross-Cultural Education Experience

We are thrilled to host Xavier University’s Customized Program as they embark on their journey to explore Mayan Spirituality, Peace, and Justice in Guatemalan Context. Welcome to Guatemala 🇬🇹

In our Political Participation class for the Spring Semester 2024 had an insightful visit to the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, where the students learned about the country’s legislative processes and political engagement. A day filled with learning and inspiration!

Studying abroad, especially if it is your first time traveling internationally, can be nerve-racking. It can also be a time of extra anxiety for the parents and families of our participants – participants who may be venturing into adulthood for the first time as college students!

Parents of a recent participant on one of our customized faculty-led programs to Cuba shared their experience working with Augsburg CGEE from their point of view. When a brief health scare arose, our calm and cool coordinator Nichole handled it all smoothly, taking care of the participant, while also keeping the participants’ family informed.

Read the family’s reflection at our blog here:

Parent Review of CGEE - Center for Global Education and Experience Parent Review: Study Abroad to Cuba, with West Chester University & Augsburg CGEE The following was submitted by parents of ...

CGEE Central America alumni from 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008!

We love to hear from our alumni and what path your lives have taken after your semester abroad with us. We hope our programs helped shape your lives in some way for the better ❤

Don’t forget – apply by May 1st to be considered for our next Fellowship in Mexico!

Augsburg CGEE is hiring for our next International Resident Assistant (Fellow) in Mexico, which is ideal for any newly-graduated student looking to work abroad. It will begin in August 2024, so this includes current seniors graduating this May.

The fellowship’s main purpose is to promote a healthy living/learning environment for semester students and participants in short-term educational seminars in Mexico. This is a one-year fellowship position based in Cuernavaca, Mexico, that will run from August 2024 to August 2025.

Details of the job & how to apply are linked here (https://lnkd.in/g_R-xW2H). Apply by May 1st. Please note strong knowledge of both English and Spanish is required for this position.

Calling alumni that may be in or near the Twin Cities in Minnesota! There are two events coming up in April may interest those of you that studied abroad with us in Nicaragua at any time in our past. These are not hosted by us at CGEE, but we wanted to share it on behalf of the host, Friends of Batahola.

“The Friends of Batahola” is a nonprofit organization that aids in the growth of the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte (CCBN). CCBN has been a close community connection for CGEE for many years, and our previous students that participated on any trips to Nicaragua will remember them well! See below for details on the April events, and you may contact Joe Connelly at [email protected] for questions about either event:

Event 1: A fundraiser event on Wednesday, April 17th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Velveteen Speakeasy, on 123 2nd St N. in Stillwater.

Event 2: A happy hour “meet-and-greet” on Thursday, April 18th from 5 to 7 pm. at Centro Nicollet, located at 2412 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis.

We hope to see some of you there!