HWS News
2 December 2025 HWS Launches Sophomore Global Scholars Program in Cyprus
A new faculty-led study abroad program offers sophomores an early global experience.
The Center for Global Education is now offering a Sophomore Global Scholars program for academically motivated students to study abroad during the Fall semester of their sophomore year. Open to students from all academic majors and minors, Professor of Theatre Chris Hatch will lead the inaugural program in Nicosia, Cyprus in Fall 2026.
“The Sophomore Global Scholars program provides an early pathway for international study, one that will offer HWS students an outstanding abroad experience in a destination with an abundance of course options,” says Dean for Global Education Kristen Welsh. “Students who will thrive in the program are curious, academically motivated and ready to test themselves in an international environment.”
The program is offered in partnership with the University of Nicosia (UNIC), a research institution with 11,500 students and more than 100 academic programs. With UNIC’s wide range of course offerings, the Sophomore Global Scholars is open to any intended major at HWS, including students in pre-professional programs, from architecture and business to engineering and pre-med.
In Cyprus, students will earn four credits. Under the direction of Professor Hatch, one of those courses will include “The Performing Arts of Cyprus: Myths, Masks, Movement and Music,” using the island’s performance traditions as a lens to explore its history, identity and contemporary life.
“This course uses Cyprus as a living classroom,” Hatch says. “Each week, students will deepen their understanding of their new home through workshops and performances by local artists and go on visits to sites including ancient theatres and shadow puppet museums. The goal is for students to engage with Cypriot traditions not only through study, but through embodied learning.”
Students will also enroll in two UNIC courses of their choice. For their fourth credit, students may complete a credit-bearing internship in Nicosia, engage in a faculty-guided research project at UNIC or enroll in a Greek Language and Culture course. Internship placements span a wide range of industries, including marketing, finance, technology, business, social services and education.
Several planned excursions will give students the opportunity to explore Cyprus, including Limassol, Famagusta, Ayia Napa, Paphos, Kyrenia and the Troodos Mountains.
Students will live in the University's apartment-style housing for the semester. The residences are walking distance to campus buildings, restaurants and coffee shops. Learn more about campus housing.
A signature feature of the Sophomore Global Scholars Program is the “Sophomore Salon,” which supports the cohort after they return to campus, allowing them to reflect on their time in Cyprus and present their experiences to the campus community. Through partnerships across campus, the Global Scholars will learn about academic enrichment opportunities such as the Honors Program, fellowships and summer research. Students may even choose to pursue independent study or an Honors project inspired by their semester abroad. Returned scholars will also engage with the next Sophomore Global Scholars cohort and are encouraged to apply for CGE roles such as Global Ambassadors or Programming Assistants.
“We’ve built this program to be especially safe and supportive for students studying abroad early in their academic journey,” Welsh says. "From pre-departure workshops to the Sophomore Salon when they return, our students will be supported every step of the way under the guidance of Professor Hatch, a global scholar who has visited 29 countries.”
The World Health Organization named Cyprus the safest country in the world for ages 15-29.
