Psychology goes global: UGA’s study abroad transforms students and faculty

The University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology offers transformative study abroad programs that immerse students and faculty in diverse cultures, fostering personal growth, academic enrichment, and global perspectives. From Tanzania’s savannas to Italy’s historic hills, these experiences blend psychology with cultural exploration, leaving lasting impacts on participants’ academic and career paths. We are happy to share both faculty and student highlights below:

Brian Haas, associate professor of psychology, has taught in Costa Rica (2013, Social Psychology), Tanzania (2015–2018, Cultural Psychology), Innsbruck (2022–2024, Introduction to Psychology), and Cuba (2024, Cultural Psychology). Tanzania remains his favorite for its ‘open-minded and enthusiastic team’ and curious students. “Students tend to learn in unexpected ways and throughout casual, unscripted conversations,” Haas said, contrasting the bidirectional learning abroad with UGA’s classroom style. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with students was “fascinating and inspirational.” Haas hopes students “confront their own stereotypes” through cultural immersion, advising, “Try not to just travel there. Try to accommodate yourself to the culture.”

Rich Slatcher, Gail M. Williamson Distinguished Professor and social psychologist, taught Psychology of Art at UGA’s Cortona Campus in 2023 and will return in 2025. “Cortona is special,” he said, describing the 15th-century campus where communal meals and market visits create a local feel. The intimate setting fosters strong student connections, aligning with his social connection research. “Being able to form strong connections with your students and colleagues over there really makes it a unique and wonderful experience,” he said. Leading a Michelangelo-focused excursion in Florence, discussing emotional responses to sculptures, was unforgettable. Slatcher hopes study abroad builds independence and cultural appreciation, “Psychology is the study of human behavior—and what better way to understand people than by immersing yourself in another culture?” He highlights UGA’s Hope and Zell Miller scholarships for accessibility.

Tori Vratanina-Smoot, Senior Lecturer and co-director of the Tanzania Maymester since 2023, has shaped the interdisciplinary program since 2019, integrating psychology, African studies, and landscape design. Based in Moshi, students visit Zanzibar and the Serengeti, studying Cultural Psychology and Animal Behavior. “I love the Tanzania program because of the relationships we have developed with the local communities,” she said, valuing bonds with OKAT orphanage children. Hands-on learning during tours fosters personal connections, unlike UGA’s classroom setting. “Immersing oneself in other cultures only helps us to become better global citizens,” she said, recalling students’ mural painting in 2023 and fundraising for OKAT’s lawn mower in 2024. She advises, “There is no better way to truly get a holistic understanding of psychology than by seeing psychological processes in new and different cultures.”

Sanjana Ayyappan (BS Psychology `25), with a neuroscience emphasis and biomedical physiology minor, embraced Cortona’s nontraditional learning. “I wanted to see what it would feel like to study in a nontraditional setting and integrate learning with daily life in a foreign country,” she said. Small, immersive classes like artistic chemistry, a rare opportunity for a pre-med student, were “fascinating.” A night photoshoot in her social documentary class was a highlight. “Find a program where the main topic and location interest you,” she advises, drawn to Cortona’s unique art courses. Ayyappan, involved in UGA’s dance department and NAMI on Campus, plans to attend medical school or work in a medical role post-graduation, inspired by developmental psychology’s insights into early experiences.

Rebecca Krupa (BS Psychology `25), a Morehead Honors College graduate, found her academic calling through the UGA Maymester in Tanzania, drawn to its unique psychology focus. “I wanted to expand my academic and personal horizons through immersive travel and cultural exploration,” she said. The program’s hands-on learning, including a 5-day safari spotting dik-diks and visits to orphanages, deepened her cultural insights and research skills. Mentored by Vratanina-Smoot’s supportive teaching and inspired by faculty member Allison Howard’s engaging classes, Krupa plans a gap year before pursuing a clinical psychology PhD. “These programs foster cultural competence, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability,” she said.

Leah Guven (BS Psychology `23) realized her high school dream through UGA’s Cortona program in Italy, captivated by its art, history, and cuisine. “It was always my dream to study abroad,” she said. The intimate, flexible classes, including the psychology of art, sparked her fascination with human experiences. “Taking the psychology of art course in Cortona, I learned about the complicated human condition of experiencing art,” she said. Exploring Rome’s Pantheon and connecting with her parents via FaceTime was a highlight. Guided by Slatcher’s thought-provoking courses, Guven pursued counseling, entering Mercer’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program in 2024. “Don’t hesitate. If it is your dream to study abroad, don’t let anything stop you,” she said. Active in Psi Chi and the Multicultural Business Student Association as a student at UGA, she’s now advancing toward becoming a mental health therapist through graduate work at Mercer University.

Sophie Moorman (BS Psychology `25), with a neuroscience emphasis and business minor, gained independence through the Sciences Po, Paris Exchange Program. “I wanted to see the world and travel before graduating and focusing on my career,” she said. Discussion-based learning in France encouraged critical thinking, unlike UGA’s lecture-heavy classes. The seven-month experience fueled her confidence to join the JET Program in Japan, teaching English from July 2025. “Studying abroad gave me the confidence and desire to apply for a job in Japan,” she said. Forging friendships across cultures was her favorite part. Moorman urges, “You should not approach your work with a United States/Western focused lens because not all cultures think the way we do.” Active in research labs and Japanese Conversation Club, she plans a master’s in Industrial-Organizational or Social Psychology.

Image: Group photo from the Tanzania Maymester