Offering an opportunity for freshmen to travel abroad, Drexel has introduced the Freshman Frontiers program, which encourages incoming freshmen to spend their first term abroad in Dublin. Students attend Ireland’s largest private college, the Dublin Business School and School of Arts (DBS), for 15 weeks earning 18–20 Drexel credits. They depart for Ireland in September and return to Drexel in mid-December with a greater global perspective and an international education.
During their time in Dublin, students take courses towards their major, participate in co-curricular activities and become completely immersed in Irish culture. There are frequent excursions, opportunities for civic engagement, weekend getaways and even time for trips to nearby European countries.
Courses for the program are pre-selected by Drexel advisors according to the required freshman year sequence. In addition, all students take an Irish life and culture course which links classroom education with actual excursions. Such excursions include trips to local museums, a weekend trip to Northern Ireland and viewing of a show at the famous Gate Theater.
The Freshman Frontiers program is the first of its kind to be offered at Drexel, allowing students to study abroad before they begin studying on campus. While the program is currently only offered to incoming freshmen in the LeBow College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, it has the potential to grow and expand.
“The Study Abroad office is very excited to launch the Freshman Frontiers program in Ireland together with Enrollment Management said Daniela Ascarelli, assistant vice provost of international programs and director of the study abroad office.” “Looking to the future we hope to expand the program to other countries where we have strong partnerships. These could include both English and non-English speaking countries.”
To apply, students must complete an application form and essay as well as obtain a letter of recommendation with their regular admission form by March 1, 2013. Applicants then receive a decision by April 1, 2013. For more information students can visit the website at http://drexel.edu/undergrad/freshmanfrontiers.
