In December 2023, eight students from the Professional Counseling department embarked on the department’s fifth study-abroad trip to India. This trip is the culmination of a course called Transformational Travel. Its purpose is to help counseling students broaden their multicultural competencies as counselors and as individuals, as well as immerse themselves for two and a half weeks in Eastern culture.
Stops on the trip included spiritual and historical sights, and, for the first time this trip, included the southern region of Karnataka. In addition to visiting sites like the Hampi-Vijayanagara ruins, Sera May University on protected Tibetan lands, and Mysore Palace, time was spent at One Life to Love, a nonprofit orphanage and day school that provides education, nutrition, and other care for underprivileged or disabled children in New Delhi, India.
For some students, the most impactful part of the trip was being able to connect with other students and the world at large. “We experienced both heavy and beautiful moments together. These shared experiences lead to real connections and relationships between fellow travelers that I have not experienced before,” said Khloe Crimondo, a Clinical Mental Health Counsel major who attended the trip.
International travel and service leaves an impression on students in their professional and personal lives.
“Since getting home from the trip,” said Mary Kate George, also a Clinical Mental Health Counsel major who attended the trip, “the lessons keep coming up every single day. I could not be happier that I went and I am so grateful for the experience.”
The trip is open to all Professional Counseling graduate students as well as alumni from the program. The next program in 2025 will include sites in Northern India and run from Jan. 2 to Jan. 24.
