Ramesh Neupane believes a good PNW education should send students to study elsewhere.
Since becoming director of International Programs and Partnerships in 2023, Neupane has grown PNW’s Study Away programs.
“The PNW Study Away program has been expanding exponentially, growing from four programs in 2023 to 12 in 2024 and 16 in 2025,” said Neupane. “Our focus is not only on increasing the number of programs but also on diversifying them across various countries.
“Currently, our programs are in North America, Europe, and South America, and we are actively working to expand into Africa and Asia as well,” he said.
Diego Mendez, who traveled to France on a Study Away trip last summer, said the experience was memorable
“Our group spent the month of June studying at the Catholic University of Paris and exploring Paris as a whole,” said Mendez, a Senior Psychology major. “Attending classes in a French university with other foreign students was a unique experience, however, I enjoyed traveling the most. In particular, I spent a weekend out of Paris in a small village called Provins, which had outdoor medieval reenactments, eagle shows and was overall a peaceful ‘vacation’ from the city.”
The university’s Study Away program aims to expose students to new experiences – both in and out of the classroom.
“During Study Away programs, students take courses, conduct research, and participate in service-learning projects while immersing themselves in local cultures through excursions, language learning, and homestays,” Neupane said. “Many programs also offer internships, industry visits, and networking opportunities, helping students develop professional skills.”
Mendez encouraged students to look into the program.
“I have heard students believe that they are not eligible to participate, that they don’t have the time, or don’t know where to start,” he said. “However, in my experience, the process is not at all difficult. Purdue’s faculty is always willing to assist in guiding students through the process, so I believe that any student who is interested in studying abroad should do so.”
Financial aid may be available for Study Away programs. For more information, students should contact [email protected].
