Marist students at the Cape of Good Hope. Photo courtesy of Dr. Joanne Gavin, Professor of Management. This was the “Business in South Africa” course. About the course: Students explored the country, hearing from industry leaders about how a history of oppression contributes to unemployment, inequitable education, and economic stagnation. They also visited a school to learn about the culture and gained insights into the banking industry and small business operations.

August 20, 2024 — Marist students continue to make the world their classroom. As interest in study abroad options grows, so does the popularity of attachment courses, or classes that include up to a two week-long trip typically at the end of the semester to give students meaningful learning experiences outside the classroom - sometimes halfway around the world. 

What is an Attachment Course?
Think of Marist attachment programs as an extension of classroom themes applied to captivating real-world experiences across the country and around the world.

These courses, led by distinct and well-traveled faculty members, offer students the chance to deepen their understanding of course material while exploring diverse cultures and landscapes. Students in their program of choice spend most of the spring semester on campus and then complete a short-term trip — often about two weeks — to conclude the term.

“The combination of business visits, academic lectures, and sightseeing allowed us to immerse ourselves in South African culture,” said business administration and economics major Sara Brzovski ’26 who went on the Business in South Africa attachment. “The balance between the professional setting of our lectures and visits, paired with more tourist-y aspects of the trip, such as the safari and our visit to the Cape of Good Hope, gave us the ability to see multiple perspectives and provided us with a comprehensive visit by the time we left.”

Students studying environmental science during an attachment course in Alaska. Photo courtesy of Dr. Zion Klos and Emma Butzler '22. 

“Marist Abroad Short-Term programs offer a unique experience for our students,” said Caitlin Paul, Marist Abroad Coordinator. “These programs offer an opportunity for students to go abroad who may not be able to do a full semester, or for students interested in doing multiple programs. We are happy that our faculty and students are excited for these opportunities each year.”

Over the summer break, students had the incredible opportunity to study in destinations like South Korea, South Africa, France, Spain, and even Alaska, each offering unique perspectives and unforgettable memories.

Here’s what our Red Foxes had to say about their recent travels in these immersive learning programs.

Environmental Science in Alaska: Environmental Issues: Social-Ecological Systems
About the course: This course combined practical homesteading skills in the Alaskan backcountry with interactive lessons and discussions. It also offered an experience that integrated indigenous, social, environmental, and economic viewpoints on key Alaskan environmental issues.

Marist students homesteading in Alaska. Photo courtesy of Dr. Zion Klos and Emma Butzler '22.

“Alaska was a trip unlike anything I had done before and was an incredible way to experience the area's unmatched landscape, culture, and lifestyle,” said Erin Novobilsky '26. “Throughout camping in the backcountry of Glacier Bay, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and learned a lot about myself and my future goals. The trip made me remember how important my major, environmental science, is to me and why I love it so much.”

Art in Korea: Contemporary Korean Design and Culture
About the course: Students explored a range of artistic and cultural trends in South Korea, including character design, K-pop music packaging, product branding, contemporary and historical fashion, Korean typography and poster design, and trends in fine art.

The Beauty of Korea. Video by Marist student Emily Sumner '25. See Emily's other video here.

“This trip abroad not only granted me the opportunity to explore Korean culture, food, and art but also connected me with lifelong friends,” said film and TV major Emily Sumner '25. “A special thanks to Professor Dana and Professor Hahn for leading a program where we could attend drawing and traditional Korean music workshops and explore the cities of Daegu and Busan alongside students from Keimyung University.”

Biology in France: The Power of Microscopy in Biology Research
About the course: This course exposed students to biological research in an international context. Students learned the core concepts of microscopy during the semester and used this knowledge to develop and execute a group research project in collaboration with French students during a two-week attachment period in Paris.

Marist students learn how to create microscope slides to examine cell cultures during a hands-on lab session in Paris. Photo courtesy of Annabelle Kailan '26 (featured center). 

“Participating in an attachment program in Paris has been one of the best decisions I’ve made,” said biomedical sciences major Annabelle Kailan '26. “My attachment program experience was immersive, exciting, productive, and allowed me to grow close to people I had only just met as well as establish a collaborative and fun relationship with Dr. Michel Becuwe, the professor leading the trip. If you have an opportunity to participate in an attachment course, take it and soak up all of the unforgettable experiences that the program is waiting to give you!”

Fashion in Spain: Global Fashion Trends
About the course: This course included travel to historic cities like Madrid and Barcelona as the class explored the birth of fashion trends. The streets, department stores, specialty stores, and museums served as inspiration to designers from around the world.

Marist students exploring historic infrastructure and global fashion trends in Spain. Photo courtesy of Gavin Gilooly '26.

“Studying abroad with Marist’s Global Fashion Trends attachment program to Spain gave me valuable knowledge about my future career as a Fashion Marketer,” said Gavin Gilooly '26. “I gained insight into the efforts made by industry leaders to improve sustainability practices – which was a refreshing perspective. By visiting textile and production companies, I was able to better understand how recycled fabrics are used to make new garments in zero-waste factories.”

Check out upcoming attachment programs here. Have more questions about study abroad options? Visit here.