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St. Edward’s Expands International Reach and Education
It’s a sign of our global era: one in every 13 people on Earth has a Facebook account.
Global Studies major Ryan Wiggins ’12 wants to harness the power of social media to
accelerate relief efforts when natural disasters strike. Inspired by his studies
abroad, Wiggins is exploring hi-tech solutions to aid disaster recovery and economic
development in Latin America.
“When I was in Panama and Nicaragua, I noticed two things: everyone my age had
Facebook and everyone had a cell phone,” Wiggins said. “By using these emerging
technologies, we can solve some of the biggest problems we face in the world today.”
Global thinkers like Wiggins exemplify the strategic vision of St. Edward’s:
to prepare graduates for the challenges and opportunities of our interconnected
world. St. Edward’s is building students’ global competence by expanding its
international reach, in Austin and overseas.
“I think any chance a student has to see another culture, it’s a valuable, real-world experience,”
says Nyle Maxwell, whose daughter Marcella Maxwell ’10, MAC ’13 studied abroad in London.
“It gives them a lot of self-confidence. They think, ‘Hey, I can do this and I don't have
to have a support network every time I go outside my comfort zone.’”
11 International Partners, 31 Study Abroad Countries and Counting
Global connections are integral to the identity of St. Edward’s, with its 175-year-old Holy Cross
roots in Le Mans, France. Today, St. Edward’s has a thriving network of partner universities in
nine countries: Spain, Mexico, Germany, Argentina, Scotland, South Korea, Chile, Japan and France.
Students at St. Edward’s studied abroad in 31 countries last year and joined international service
trips to Peru, India, Uganda and Canada. Our business students shared their talents with nonprofits
in such locales as Costa Rica, China and the Czech Republic. And our Fulbright Scholars made their
mark in six countries.
Learn more about our Fulbright Scholars »
Collaborating Across Cultures
As St. Edward’s intensifies its global reach, the Austin campus is becoming more
international. Global themes enrich the curriculum and international admissions are
up 55% this year. Live video conferencing powers the "global digital classroom," where
students exchange ideas in real time with others around the world. “One can almost see
the mental light bulbs turn on as peers challenge peers and new ways of thinking
develop,” said George E. Martin, president of St. Edward’s University.
Students on the Austin campus also expand their horizons through the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence
in Global Finance, which hosts international events and speakers on campus — ranging from
a United Nations official to a former Argentine political prisoner and poet.
Learn more about the Kozmetsky Center »
Grasping the Big Picture
As a corporate executive who does business in 40 countries,
Ken Train, stepfather of Marcy Marbut ’15, appreciates the focus on building a worldly
perspective. He says graduates who study abroad often have an edge in job interviews.
“It makes it easier for them to adapt to the work they may be doing and see a bigger picture,”
says Train. “Understanding another culture is essential in today's global economy.”
Find out more about international learning opportunities for your student at St. Edward’s »
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