An Incredible Investment in Global Education
A $20 million gift from Louis and Mary Kay Smith will enable Oles to participate in a semester-long study-abroad program for the same cost as attending class on campus.
When he was a student at St. Olaf, Chris George ’94 was selected to participate in a study-abroad program. He was eager to explore the world — but ultimately turned it down because he couldn’t afford to go.
More than three decades later, he’s now the associate vice president for enrollment at St. Olaf. He frequently talks to prospective students about the powerful impact of a global experience, and he sees the way that St. Olaf’s strength in study abroad sets the college apart among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges. He also knows that for some students — like him — cost is still a barrier.
So that’s why when he received the news earlier this year that Louis and Mary Kay Smith had provided St. Olaf with a $20 million gift that will enable students to participate in a semester-long study-abroad program for the same cost as attending class on campus, he screamed in excitement.
“I’ve long dreamed about being in a position where cost isn’t a factor in a student’s decision to study abroad,” George says. “Thanks to the remarkable generosity of the Smiths, that dream is now a reality.”
The incredible gift from the Smiths will also provide funding to expand and innovate short-term study abroad and away programs, as well as support the faculty expertise at the heart of creating meaningful experiences for students around the world.
“International education has long been a cornerstone of the St. Olaf experience, and it’s more important now than ever before. We need leaders with a global perspective who can bring people together to solve challenges and shape a better world. The best way to prepare our students to become those leaders is to provide them with opportunities to live and learn abroad,” St. Olaf President Susan Rundell Singer says. “Thanks to the generosity of the Smiths, we will be able to increase our ability to do just that.”
This is the largest gift that St. Olaf has ever received for academic programming, and it is the second-largest gift in the college’s history. It follows several other significant gifts from the Smiths, including one that enables St. Olaf students to participate in international music tours at no cost and another that increased financial aid for Oles studying off campus and created the new Smith Center for Global Engagement that was named in their honor. With this latest gift, they are truly transforming the student experience at St. Olaf College.
“Thousands of Oles will get to see the world because of this gift. It will have a lasting impact.”
— Associate Vice President for Enrollment Chris George ’94
St. Olaf is a national leader in study abroad and away. The college’s music ensembles first toured internationally in 1906, and St. Olaf began offering academic study-abroad programs in 1947. In the most recent Open Doors Report, St. Olaf ranks No. 2 among baccalaureate colleges across the country in the number of students who studied abroad. The college offers programs in more than 40 countries, including faculty-led semester programs that include Global Semester, a wide range of January Term programs, and institutional partnerships around the world. It’s an opportunity that most St. Olaf students take advantage of, with 70 percent of the Class of 2025 participating in at least one study abroad/away program.
Paired with this longstanding strength in study abroad, the gift from the Smiths enables the college to offer a transformative experience that is distinctive to St. Olaf
“This generous gift expands access for study-abroad programs, encouraging accepted students to explore topics related to their academic and vocational interests while cultivating a globally engaged perspective,” Smith Center Director Theresa Heath says. “It will also enable St. Olaf and the Smith Center to expand study-abroad opportunities to new locations, addressing important questions and themes that reflect the expertise of our talented faculty. Each year, St. Olaf students are eager to participate in these experiences, and I’m thrilled we will continue to build innovative opportunities.”
Studying abroad enables Oles to develop as global contributors who are knowledgeable about other places, to interact effectively with people who have viewpoints and backgrounds different from their own, and to understand how their lives and choices connect with the broader world. Data show that employers are more likely to hire students who have studied abroad because of the adaptability, cultural awareness, and problem-solving skills they develop.
As part of the college’s deep commitment to global engagement, St. Olaf has increased efforts in recent years to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation in study abroad/away. In the fall of 2025, St. Olaf launched a pilot program that enabled every student with a family income below $300,000 who was accepted into a semester- or year-long study abroad/away program to participate for the same cost as studying on campus. The result was a 30 percent overall increase in the number of students participating in semester-long study abroad and away programs, and a 70 percent increase in the number of students from middle-income families participating. Seeing the impact that this pilot had on the student experience inspired the Smiths to provide a foundation for lasting support.
The new gift from the Smiths will now make this opportunity available to current and future Oles. Every student accepted into a semester-long study-abroad program beginning in 2027 will be able to participate for the same cost as studying on campus once during their time at St. Olaf. Knowing that this will lead to increased demand from students, the gift from the Smiths will also support the expansion and innovation of programs. The college will explore new offerings, including summer abroad opportunities and programs that include internships and research. The gift will also support an increased number of January Term study abroad/away programs, which are popular with students.
“Thousands of Oles will get to see the world because of this gift,” George says. “It will have a lasting impact.”
Reflections from Oles Abroad
Five Oles share how their academic journeys at St.Olaf have been impacted by their experiences studying in locations scattered across the globe.
“My primary goal while attending St. Olaf was to actively learn about other cultures while sharing my own as an Asian American. I chose to study abroad in London because it is a cultural hub with nearly half of its population as ethnic minority groups. The most impactful experience abroad was the Lunar New Year in central London. This has been a holiday that is extremely important and personal to me. London held an incredibly large parade that spread throughout the city, and Chinatown was at the heart of this celebration. It was heartwarming to experience this cultural holiday with so much appreciation and joy. London is the best place I could have chosen to study.”
– Kim Tran ’28, London, U.K.
“As someone from the Philippines, I’ve always been curious about how different cultures navigate community, resilience, and care. Mexico has always been on my list, and this felt like the right place to grow both personally and professionally. The most impactful part of this experience has been learning directly from people, their stories, their resilience, and their truth. We’ve visited organizations, met with social workers and policymakers, and spent time in communities deeply impacted by migration. Hearing from migrants, deportees, and families separated by borders has been incredibly powerful. It reminded me how important storytelling is; stories move people, and they create space for empathy and action. Another highlight has been the homestays. Living with families, both in rural and urban settings, allowed me to fully immerse myself in the culture in a way that no classroom could offer. It taught me what it means to truly listen, adapt, and connect across differences. On a more personal note, one of my favorite experiences was during spring break when I solo hiked and summited Iztaccíhuatl, the third-highest mountain in Mexico. That moment felt symbolic; it pushed me physically, mentally, and emotionally. It gave me space to reflect on everything I’ve been learning about migration, resistance, and identity. It reminded me how much growth comes from stepping into the unknown.”
— Angela Jessa Hifume ’27, Cuernavaca, Mexico
“I chose Copenhagen because I wanted to experience daily life in Scandinavia as well as learn more about Denmark’s sustainability culture, as it is considered one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the world. Besides that, Copenhagen is filled with Nordic history and has amazing public transportation and biking culture. The most impactful part of my time abroad has been the friendships I’ve made. My housing style is a mixture of American and Danish university students, so it’s been a blast connecting with the Danes and exploring Copenhagen with them through a local lens. My experience has been deeply shaped by the friends I’ve made, and it feels really cool to know that I now have connections with people from all over the world!”
— Quinn Clark ’28, Copenhagen, Denmark
“When I discovered a study-abroad opportunity aligned with my academic and personal interests, it felt like the perfect fit. I was especially eager to experience the city more deeply and gain a better understanding of Italian culture. I was able to attend the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, which was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The performances were incredible — and as someone who is passionate about music and takes voice lessons back at St. Olaf, it was especially inspiring to hear Andrea Bocelli perform live. The most impactful aspect of studying abroad has been the people I’ve met along the way, some of whom I’ll even stay connected with after this experience. The most surprising thing has been realizing that learning Italian is more challenging than I initially expected. This experience has gone by incredibly quickly, and I’ve truly cherished every moment.”
— Mikayla Franke ’27, Milan, Italy
“I decided to come to New Zealand because of the advanced technology and study in kinesiology, the vibrant Maori culture, which I am interested in as a dancer and performer, and the protections that the country offers to transgender individuals.
On a weekend away from studying, a group of friends and I traveled to Isthmus Peak to climb the summit on a sunrise hike (or a ‘tramp,’ as the locals call it). We woke up at 3 a.m., traveled to the trailhead, and put on our hiking boots. Bundled up and tired, I chugged an energy drink and thought ‘How did I end up here?’ With the determined friends I met a couple weeks prior, we set out, scrambling up rocks, sighting deer in the distance, and navigating for hours up steep inclines in pitch black darkness. As we grew closer to the peak, the sun started to show itself on the horizon. After we made the summit, it rose ever gently. The cold wind surrounded us and we stared at the view in awe: mountains, lakes, clouds of all colors of orange, pink, green, and gray.
Then, a squawk caught our attention as three of the endangered mountain parrots joined us in taking in our surroundings. These birds were playful, curious, and sweet. I was informed they are called kea (pronounced kee-uh), and I was struck by how they flitted around each other and inspected us. Creatures so intricate lived on this chilly peak. I’d never been an incredibly outdoorsy type of person. However, the vastness of the landscape and interaction with these birds made me realize how precious our world is. They reminded me of my dear sibling’s never-ending chatter, education’s endless possibilities, and the cyclicality of life. In the state of our land, our people, and our government, this memory is something I’ve been clinging to.
Doing something as difficult as climbing for three hours and being surprised by what was there has been integral to my experience abroad so far. I’ve taken this experience and translated it to being present in my everyday life. Watching other people interact, seeing slivers of sunlight on the floors of classrooms, and making cozy meals for myself in my flat. The most beautiful things to appreciate are right where we are at the moment.”
— Lee Christianson ’27, Dunedin, New Zealand