Jack Thornton had never snorkeled before. He didn’t even own a mask, often borrowing one from someone.
But once he dipped beneath the surface of the Australian water, the commercial beach Thornton viewed from above didn’t appear the same from below. Stingrays, small sharks and arrays of vibrantly colored fish surrounded him.
Thornton, a 2025 University alum, studied abroad at the University of New South Wales Sydney in Australia from January to May 2024 but extended his stay through June. He studied statistics and philosophy throughout his four years at the University but will now pursue a postgraduate program in marine biology — thanks to his newfound love for the ocean.
“Growing up in the Midwest, I had never really experienced the ocean or life near the ocean,” Thornton said. “(Studying abroad) really opened me up to a passion that I didn’t even know I had.”
Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange, the campus study abroad office, offers more than 250 programs in over 60 countries, according to Director Joy Phaphouvaninh. The office collaborates with each college’s study abroad office, tailoring programs to students of all majors and academic needs.
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University students participate in various programs abroad that can range from a few weeks to an academic year. Much participation stems from programs in Europe, but Phaphouvaninh said lesser-known but equally strong opportunities lie in Panama, Brazil and South Africa.
“We are proud that Illini can study abroad in such a diverse list of countries and in different types of programs and encourage students to identify what is most important to them in an experience,” Phaphouvaninh wrote in an email to The Daily Illini.
However, Daniel Maroun, undergraduate adviser and study abroad director of the French programs, sees Europe’s popularity firsthand. Maroun focuses primarily on programs in Paris, which he describes as “irreplaceable.”
“There is nothing better than Paris,” Maroun said. “And I only say that because this is the world’s number one tourist destination, and so people dream of it. So it’s not a tourist destination for our students because it becomes a home.”
But that No. 1 tourist destination spot doesn’t stop students from venturing beyond to other French cities, like Toulouse and Marseille, to find what best suits them, Maroun said.
In his advising sessions, Maroun begins by exploring students’ academic and personal interests, helping them navigate common concerns like housing and coursework. Students also take pre-departure and reentry courses to prepare for and reflect on their experiences abroad.
For Maroun, studying abroad means immersing oneself in the unfamiliar — new people and places can lead to unexpected growth and a deeper appreciation for what was once unknown.
“I want people to have worldwide experiences that aren’t unique to the United States,” Maroun said. “We don’t have complaints from students coming back being like, ‘I wish I didn’t do that.’ They all are like, ‘Oh my God, I wish I could keep going.’”
Yet, the desire to stay in Australia came with complications for Thornton. He enjoyed the 45-minute walk to the beach but struggled with the distance from his loved ones. However, without the experience, Thornton knew he wouldn’t have changed as much as he did.
“There were times when I absolutely hated it, and there were times when I absolutely loved it,” Thornton said. “I was super homesick and anxious on certain days, and there were certain days when I was with friends who I would have never met, doing things that I never would have done … You can never really be certain if you will absolutely love a place or not, but if you’re willing to take the risk, then I think it’s worth it.”
