Colby College Student Claire E. Cahill of Stockton, N.J., Returns from Studying in Spain

2017 Jan 23

Claire E. Cahill of Stockton, N.J., at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, recently returned from spending the fall semester in Salamanca, Spain, through a special program that offers first-year students the opportunity to study abroad. Cahill, a graduate of Hunterdon Cen Regional High School, is the daughter of Brian and Christine Cahill of Stockton, N.J.

Colby's Global Entry Semester programs in Salamanca, Spain, and Dijon, France, provide academically rigorous experiences that fulfill Colbys foreign language requirement. Through university classes and social interaction, including a home stay with a local family, students gain a global perspective and a better understanding of the complexities of another culture.

Global experiences abound at Colby. More than two-thirds of Colby students study overseas before they graduate, most during their junior year. Programs in language and culture, political science, classical studies, sustainable development, and environmental field studies are among more than 200 approved off-campus study programs. While most students spend an entire semester away, some take part in short-term experiences during Colby's January term, known as Jan Plan.

The Class of 2020 was selected from the largest and most academically qualified pool of applications in Colby's 203-year history. Last year the college launched the Colby Commitment, which is focused on removing financial barriers, simplifying the application process, and making it possible for every student to graduate without loans to repay.

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America's most selective colleges and the first previously all-male college in New England to admit women. Serving only undergraduates, Colby offers a rigorous academic program rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 2,000 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.