Every year, I lead two creative writing study abroad programs for Columbia College Chicago. In January, we will travel to Paris. In the summer, we study in Prague. Together, we read, write, explore and reflect in the very streets where artists like James Baldwin and Franz Kafka once walked. The experience is immersive, creatively charged and often life-changing.

And this is not exclusive to creative writing students. Over the years, I’ve had students from film, TV, game design, music, marketing, photography and more. What connects them is a desire to grow as artists and find fresh inspiration in new surroundings. Columbia offers a wide range of faculty-led programs in places like Japan, Argentina, Italy, Ireland and Mexico, in addition to Paris and Prague. Most of these are open to all Columbia majors. No matter your focus, there’s likely a program that aligns with your interests and creative goals.

Study abroad can be a powerful creative reset. You gain new material, step outside your routines and experience the world with fresh eyes. Many students have told me these programs were the single most impactful part of their Columbia education.

And it’s not just anecdotal. Research consistently shows that studying abroad leads to increased academic engagement, stronger graduation rates and improved career outcomes. Students return with greater confidence, flexibility, cultural awareness and creative problem-solving skills. These are essential for working artists and storytellers in a global creative economy.

This is especially true at a media arts school like Columbia, where so many students are preparing to work in competitive, collaborative and international industries. Employers in fields like journalism, design, filmmaking and communications increasingly value candidates with global experience, especially when it’s paired with deep creative development.

One of the things I love most about leading these programs is watching students take bold steps — both in their writing and their personal growth. Many come back saying they’ve found new confidence, lasting friendships and a clearer sense of their creative voice and purpose.

If you’re thinking that study abroad sounds exciting, but maybe not realistic, don’t count yourself out. Columbia’s programs are short-term and designed to fit into your degree path. Financial aid can sometimes be applied for, and scholarships may be available. The key is to plan early: talk to your academic advisor and meet with Columbia Central to share your study abroad goals and explore your financing options.

To learn more, visit the Global Education website. 

Your college years are the perfect time to see the world, challenge yourself and grow in ways you can’t yet imagine. Studying abroad helps you become a stronger artist, a more confident communicator and a more engaged global citizen. 

 So take the leap. Start exploring your options now. The world is waiting for you.

Kathie Bergquist is a part-time instructor in the School of Communication and Culture and program leader for the creative writing study abroad programs in Prague and Paris. 

Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco