40 Years of global learning: A retrospective on Study Abroad

Dr. George Watson and his wife, Kit, led the first Chadron State study abroad group to the University of Exeter in England, where he had completed post-doctoral studies and maintained connections. The pioneering effort to provide students with global exposure included 17 students, who also visited France, Switzerland, and West Germany.

Retired English Professor Dr. George Griffith said Watson encouraged him to create a literary study tour to England and Ireland, and the two led several tours together. Watson led or co-led 31 foreign study tours, which featured stops at many high-profile points of London’s legal system. The program evolved into the Comparative Justice Studies/Study Abroad Program, and more than 600 CSC students have participated. Other CSC Study Abroad programs have visited Costa Rica, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, and other locations.

Over the years, rising travel costs have made it challenging for students to afford the program. The Team George running club started in 2008 after Watson, an avid runner, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was unable to participate in the Chadron Rotary Club’s annual Colter Run. CSC alumni Jen Tomka, Nikki Masek, and Lindsay Rein wore Team George shirts to support Watson's absence. In 2009, a year before Watson died, they established the Team George Running Club, which continues to raise scholarship funds for students studying abroad.

On May 12, 11 majors in Justice Studies, Music, English, Psychology, Theatre and Physical Science will embark on a 14-day journey to London, Belfast, Galway, and Dublin. As part of the course, they will earn credit hours in Essential Studies, Legal Studies, or Criminal Justice.

According to Dr. Tracy Nobiling, who will lead the group this year, all participants have received a Team George Scholarship, a CSC Study Abroad Scholarship, and/or Dean’s Council funding. This will be Nobiling’s 17^th study abroad program. Her first was with the University of Nebraska Omaha, while all others have been with CSC. 

“When I participated in the UNO study abroad program in 1991, it was a combined program with CSC. That’s when I met George Watson. While we were in London, George received a notice that CSC had approved another faculty position in the Criminal Justice program, and he talked me into applying. Three months later, I was in Chadron, and in May of 1992, I went back to London as part of the CSC program,” Nobiling said.

Nobiling said the Justice Studies Department faculty are delighted with the ongoing success of Watson’s visionary program.

“The fact that the program has adapted and grown while maintaining its commitment to immersive cultural experiences is a clear indication of its strong foundation. The selection of destinations, including London, Paris, Edinburgh, and Dublin, continues to be instrumental in expanding students' global perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of complex world issues,” Nobiling said.

Alumnus Ryan Hieb, a special agent with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations in Casper, Wyoming, said the program's opportunity and reputation were among the reasons he chose to transfer to CSC.

“I learned so much from this experience, not only about the Metropolitan Police and England's culture and legal system, but this program made me comfortable and excited about international travel,” Hieb said.

The impact of the London Trip is clear from the stories of participants. Hieb said the most meaningful insights in his academic discipline came from his second CSC Study Abroad trip, which he took for graduate credit.

“I had been working in a law enforcement capacity for a little over a year, and it gave me even more of an opportunity to draw comparisons between the U.S. and England criminal justice systems and cultures. I was enrolled in the organizational management program and was able to interview employees of the Metropolitan Police to learn more in-depth about their leadership and management, which is an experience I still get to discuss and apply in my current role,” Hieb said.

Tiffani Roelle, an English major from Columbus, Nebraska, had the unique experience of meeting Jane Rice, a Chadron alumna who went on the trip in 1984. Roelle had just returned from London when she encountered Rice at the 2013 Story Catcher Writing Workshop. The two quickly bonded over their shared experiences, despite the nearly 30-year gap between their trips.

“It was so interesting to compare our trips. We were talking about the same places, but the technology, the travel methods, and even the trip itineraries had changed,” Roelle said. “It made me appreciate how far the program has come, but also how the core experience has stayed the same.”

Roelle’s trip, led by Nobiling, focused on cross-cultural studies and education, with highlights including visits to major landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge. Rice was part of the group led by Griffith to England and Ireland.

Throughout the years, the London Trip has included a variety of locations and experiences. For instance, students on the trip in 2013 took a boat trip down the River Thames and visited the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, where the Prime Meridian is located. Justice Studies majors have visited criminal courts and participated in a London Legal Walk, while Business students toured entrepreneurial incubators and the BMW Mini Cooper factory. Education majors have visited renowned institutions like Dulwich College and St. Mary’s Primary School.

One evolving feature has been the increased use of digital media. In 2011, the first foray into blogging was met with mixed results, but as technology improved, so did the quality of student blogs. In 2013, more reliable technology allowed students to make daily blog posts.

“Blogging serves a valuable dual purpose,” Nobiling said. “It not only allows students to connect and share their journey with friends and family, but also provides them with an immediate platform for personal reflection on their experiences.”

CSC alumna and active-duty Air Force Captain Brittnie Wedel said participating in the 2015 study abroad program, even though it wasn’t her first time traveling internationally, gave her courage, empowered her, and increased her curiosity about the world.

“It was the first time I felt independent. We had plenty of time to roam and explore in a foreign country. I went back to London in 2018 on a solo trip,” Wedel said. “It was one of the best decisions I've made. On a very practical level, I later had to take a cross-cultural justice systems class for my PhD. Everybody failed the first assignment except me. The assignment was on the criminal justice system in England, and I had firsthand knowledge that helped me pass.”

Officer Christopher Mailloux with the Sioux Falls Police Department in South Dakota said the trip allowed him to experience other cultures and learn about their justice system from a hands-on perspective. 

With the 40th program, the legacy of the Chadron State College Study Abroad will continue to be an invaluable part of the college experience. Whether through new destinations, advanced technology, or the timeless experiences that bring students together, the study abroad program remains one of the most transformative experiences Chadron State offers.