2025

March 18, 2025

West Chester University Students Gain Global Perspective on Study Abroad Trip to Europe

Fifteen students from West Chester University recently returned from an intensive nine-day study abroad program in Europe, where they explored transatlantic relations, engaged with European peers, and gained firsthand experience in international institutions. Led by WCU Political Science Professor Dr. Peter Loedel and WCU Adjunct Professor Dr. Travis Blemings, the trip took students to Germany, Belgium, and France for a deep dive into the political, cultural, and security dynamics between the United States and Europe. 

The trip was part of a semester-long class that is still underway and is a collaboration with the European Academy Otzenhausen (EAO), an organization that hosts international students every spring for a week of learning. 

This year’s program was particularly relevant given the shifting dynamics of transatlantic security and ongoing political challenges between the U.S. and Europe. As the WCU students prepared for the trip, major news broke about U.S. policy decisions that directly impacted NATO and European security.  

“Clearly the topic couldn’t have been any more perfect for the trip,” Dr. Loedel said. “Every day before we left, things were happening that would shape our discussions. Whether it was debates over NATO, tariffs on the European Union, or the war on Ukraine, there was a blizzard of information coming our way.”   

For Eli Moore, a WCU junior political science-international relations major from Doylestown, PA, the experience was invaluable. 

“We spent the first half of the semester learning about the ever-changing waters of transatlantic security, and then, as we were flying to Europe, new headlines were dropping,” he said. “It was so relevant, and being there—talking to European students and experts—gave us a whole new perspective.”  

The opportunity to hear directly from European students and policymakers provided key insights. 

“One of the biggest takeaways for me was that transatlantic security relations aren’t as tenuous as they might seem from the U.S.,” Moore said. “From the European perspective, they see this as a wake-up call, a push to take more responsibility for their own security rather than relying on the U.S.”  

Beyond the high-level discussions on transatlantic security, students found some of the most powerful moments in everyday interactions. Both Moore and Gwyn Bartholomew, a WCU junior political science-international relations major from Doylestown, reflected on an experience in a NATO food court, where people from all over the world were eating.  

“There were two Macedonian soldiers in front of me in the salad bar line, an Estonian general sitting behind me, and then over at the trashcans were U.S. military guys,” said Moore. “It was such a collaboration of cultures and different nations in this one little place.”  

Bartholomew was similarly moved. 

“I remember there was a group of people eating lunch together in the cafeteria. There were people from France, Estonia, Spain, and a few Americans. It was really beautiful to see their connection,” she said. “It was incredible to see all these people working together for the same cause. It proves that friendship and trust are possible even when you’re coming from different places.”

On the final day of the program, students participated in a unique art project in Otzenhausen, Germany, where the EAO is located. They were divided into groups and given wooden circles to work with. The pieces they crafted were later added to an outdoor sculpture called “Tide,” a work that represented the ebb and flow of relationships.  

Bartholomew, who collaborated with a student from the Czechia, described the experience as deeply meaningful. 

“Our piece interlocked, just like the U.S. and Europe are,” she said. “We divided it into four themes—communication, diplomacy, democracy, and trust—because those are the values that unite us. It was a very emotional experience considering the tensions between the US and Europe.”  

The project was more than just a symbolic gesture. It also gained attention beyond the small town of Otzenhausen. A German state news program featured the students’ work, highlighting their reflections on transatlantic relations and their engagement with European peers. 

“It was pretty significant exposure at the state level,” Dr. Loedel said. “It would be like having a Pennsylvania evening news program that everyone watched cover what we were doing. It really brought attention to the importance of these kinds of international exchanges.”  

For some students, the trip was more than just an academic experience — it was a glimpse into their futures. Both Moore and Bartholomew left Europe feeling inspired to pursue careers abroad.  

Bartholomew, who has long been interested in transatlantic relations, said the trip helped her regain focus after a difficult year, which included the passing of her stepfather. 

“Going on the trip reignited the passion I have for international relations,” she said. “It solidified that I want to work for the U.S. as a representative to the European Union or have some job pertaining to transatlantic partnerships.”  

For Moore, the experience opened his eyes to professional opportunities he hadn’t considered before. 

“Visiting NATO and talking to people working there made me realize this is something I could actually do,” he said. “I could see myself pursuing a career in international relations in Europe, maybe working for NATO or an offshoot. This trip made that path feel real.”  

Dr. Loedel emphasized how important programs like this are, especially for students who may not have had the opportunity to travel internationally before. 

“For about half of the students, this was their first real immersion in another country,” he said. “These experiences are crucial, particularly for first-generation college students who may not have had the chance to explore the world in this way.”