On Monday, Feb. 17, gender studies students gathered at the Diversity and Intercultural Center (D&IC) for the annual “Meet Your Major” event. This gathering provided students with an opportunity to connect with other students who are also pursuing a major or minor in gender studies at Lawrence. One of the most exciting developments for gender studies students is the opportunity to expand the pursuit of the major or minor in the newly unveiled “Women’s and Gender Studies in Europe” program, which is sponsored by Carleton College.
Carleton’s program has been running since 1984, offering students the opportunity to explore gender studies internationally. Through the program, Lawrence students would travel to three different European locations: Berlin, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; and Utrecht, Netherlands. Each destination provides a month-long immersive experience for students.
Shannon Featherstone is the Off-Campus Programs Associate at Lawrence, specializing in advising for study abroad programs to locations from Europe to New Zealand. Featherstone herself has lived abroad in Germany, making her particularly suited to offer valuable insights into international study. She highlighted the unique aspect of variety in this study abroad program, as the quick monthly dispersion across Central Europe ensures that participants will be exposed to many countries and cultural environments. “Living for a month in each location, your housing gets changed up a bit. So, depending on where you are, it’s all different,” she explains. The dynamic approach of the program offers students a comprehensive look into understanding gender studies abroad.
For many students, to study abroad is life-changing. The program does not require any fluency other than in English, but it is still a strengthening experience, as Featherstone states that she likes to “see students who’ve not really had these experiences before going and coming back. I think it allows students to see the world a little differently.” Study abroad helps with more than academic growth, as it fosters important skills beyond the classroom. “Thinking about going abroad really helps with soft skills that are really crucial,” Featherstone notes. “You become more resilient; all of these skills are transferable later in life.”
One of the highlights of studying in Europe, according to Featherstone, is the accessible transportation. She explains, “The transportation systems in Europe, at least the ones I’ve experienced, are brilliant. You don’t have to have a car, especially in the bigger cities; you can just use the bus or the train to get wherever you need to go.” Featherstone remarks that the ease of travel allows students to truly explore their host cities, including visiting historical landmarks.
For students to apply for the “Women’s and Gender Studies in Europe” program, one just needs to reach out to an Off-Campus Program Advisor, such as Featherstone, who guides students through the process. Due to the sponsorship of the program by Carleton, students in Fall Term 2025 will be embarking on this opportunity to connect with peers from other institutions for the first time, potentially creating new social networks.
For those passionate about gender studies, this program will offer many new experiences that will enhance personal growth. Featherstone’s seemingly universal recommendation is to “try not to say no to things. If there’s something to do, do it; explore new areas and try new foods.” One can only hope that the ambiance of urban life for Lawrence students abroad will bring back much-anticipated remarks and recommendations to pursue this new international opportunity.