Hobart and William Smith Colleges

1 October 2026 • Athletics • Research HWS Day of Donors: Meet Nicholas Short ’27

HWS Day of Donors, a 24-hour giving challenge, kicks off Oct. 6. In this series of stories, meet six students whose pivotal HWS experiences were made possible through support from the Annual Fund. Here, Nicholas Short ’27 reflects on study abroad.

At Hobart and William Smith, studying abroad is not an experience reserved for a select few. It is an opportunity that HWS works to make possible for every student, regardless of their major, interests or future plans.

For Nicholas Short ’27, study abroad has been a defining part of his HWS journey.

A biology major, chemistry minor and member of the Hobart rowing team from Chattanooga, Tenn., Short arrived at HWS interested in either engineering or medicine. With four years of rigorous coursework ahead, he was not initially sure whether studying abroad could fit into a demanding schedule.

But with the support of the Center for Global Education, Short made it happen. During the fall of his junior year, he spent a semester in Queensland, Australia, immersed in a biology-intensive curriculum and experiencing a new culture and environment.

The experience changed the direction of his education.

While in Queensland, Short discovered an interest in ecology that led him to pursue new research opportunities after returning to HWS. His experiences abroad and on campus have since helped him explore the intersection of science, research and medicine as he prepares for a career in healthcare.

Short completed research internships at LSU Health Sciences Center and Cornell AgriTech, gained clinical experience and now serves as a STEM Scholar Mentor and co-president of the Health Professions Association on campus.

For Short, studying abroad was not simply a semester away from campus. It was an opportunity to step into a new academic environment, discover an area of science that sparked his curiosity and gain clarity about where he wanted his education to lead.

He also recognizes how unusual that opportunity can be for pre-health students at larger institutions, where fitting a semester abroad into a demanding course schedule can be difficult. At HWS, he didn’t have to choose between staying on track academically and pursuing an international experience that could shape his future.

The experience has also shaped the way Short thinks about the role of philanthropy in an HWS education. Reflecting on the donors who make opportunities like studying abroad possible, he says, “I would genuinely say thank you. I never would have experienced all of this without them, and it fully inspires me to give back one day and provide the same opportunities for students to come.”

Gifts to the Annual Fund, and specifically study abroad opportunities, encourage students to become global citizens. Students not only broaden their understanding of the world but also bring new insights, experiences and cultural perspectives back to campus. Make your gift to HWS Day of Donors.