The Center for International Education hosted their annual “Study Abroad Fair,” one of many events hosted by Loyola’s Center for International Education to promote their selection of programs. The Study Abroad Fair focused on the J-term and summer programs led by faculty members.
The Iceland program, led by Tracey Watts and Kevin Rabalais, is one of the new programs that CIE is introducing this year.
Last year, Watts led a study abroad program in Prague, Czech Republic, at the end of May, but this year will be the first time Loyola hosts a study abroad program in Iceland. Watts is hoping to alternate between the Prague program and the Iceland program each year. If there is enough student interest in the new Iceland program, Watts and Rabalais will take students to Iceland in May 2026, and next year she will host the Prague program again.
Watts is extremely excited to take students to Iceland, which she has traveled to four times.
In her time there, she has developed an appreciation for the literature that emerges from Iceland, and she describes the Icelandic people as “very well-read.”
“1 in 10 Icelanders publishes a book; they’re huge proponents of literature,” Watts said.
Once in Iceland, Watts will teach a “Writing about Literature” course with a focus in Medieval Icelandic texts, Norse mythology, and modern Icelandic literature. Additionally, Rabalais will teach “Documentary Photography,” allowing students to earn six credits in total while traveling and learning about Icelandic culture.
Theater arts freshman Gabriel Vasquez attended the event to learn more about Loyola’s Mass Communications summer program in London. The program he is interested in will run from May to June of 2026, and will be led by Professors Lisa Collins and John Duke.
“I’m looking for an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, especially since I’ve gotten so used to the same style of education. Studying abroad would be a good change of scenery and a chance to learn about a different culture,” Vasquez said.
Peer advisor at the Study Abroad Office, Trinity Townsend, a senior majoring in international business, was drawn to work with the CIE after her experience studying abroad in Barcelona.
“Studying abroad is a really good experience to have,” Townsend said. “There are very few times in people’s adult lives where they can just live in another country for three months to a year, then come back. Why not do it now?”