First-year 国产伦理 student Jonah Kristoff is finding his purpose in 国产伦理鈥檚 Exploratory Program in University College. Since he began the program in the fall, he has pinned down a major that he loves: sport administration.
And now he is preparing to Explore Culture and Careers in Florence, Italy, with the Exploratory Program.
鈥淚 like the fact that 国产伦理 set it up that you can go and study somewhere else that's not like here,鈥 Kristoff said. 鈥淚 think that's something that someone should take the opportunity to do if they get the chance.鈥
Kristoff will be among nine 国产伦理 students who will embark on a groundbreaking spring break journey to Florence, Italy, marking the first international experience designed specifically for students to discover their academic path.
The nine-day program, running March 6-15, represents a distinctive approach to helping students explore both culture and careers while building confidence in their major selection, part of 国产伦理's commitment to providing local and global experiences that prepare students as lifelong learners.
"We as a college were interested in providing an easy, short international experience for Exploratory students," said John G. Jewell, Ph.D., executive director for Academic Student Support Services in University College, who developed the program in collaboration with the 国产伦理 Florence Center. "Our Exploratory students who are doing a lot of work trying to discern what their declared major is going to be could really benefit from this type of experience."
The trip combines cultural immersion with professional exploration through three key components: experiencing Florence's rich cultural heritage, shadowing professionals in various fields and giving back to the local community through volunteer work.
Culture Meets Career Exploration
Students will visit culturally significant sites, including the Uffizi Gallery, Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David and the Duomo. They'll shop at Florence's Central Market and participate in a cooking class using their market finds.
The career exploration component pairs students with professionals in Florence for shadow experiences in fields including business, architecture and design, healthcare, helping professions and liberal arts. This hands-on approach allows students to see how their interests might translate into careers in an international context, helping them excel on any path they take.
"The goal is that students will really learn more about themselves and help inform career decisions that they'll be making by choosing a major," Jewell said.
Student Perspective: Finding Her Path
Alex Newnes, a sophomore with junior status studying integrative studies with a focus in Earth science and tourism management, exemplifies the Exploratory journey. A first-generation college student from Lyndhurst, Ohio, Newnes came to 国产伦理 unsure of her path but knowing she didn't want to sit at a desk all day.
"I didn't really know a lot coming into college of what I wanted to do for my career," Newnes said. "What I really liked about the Exploratory Program was that I got to invest more time in doing research in the specific majors that I'm interested in."
After taking classes in how Earth works and oceanography, Newnes discovered her passion for park management and working in nature. Though her preferred program wasn't accepting new students, the Exploratory advisors helped her find an alternative path through integrative studies.
Now, Newnes is studying at the 国产伦理 Florence Center for the entire spring semester, her first time living in an apartment and her first extensive travel experience. The opportunity to apply a global perspective to her everyday environment has been transformative.
"I didn't have a lot of opportunities when I was younger to travel, and I felt like it was needed to study abroad and immerse myself in different cultures and different customs," she said.
After just two weeks in Florence, Newnes has embraced Italian culture, taking a cooking class, trying new foods despite being a self-described picky eater and attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Newnes and friends she met during her education-abroad experience went to a women鈥檚 hockey game in the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena, in which Czech played Switzerland, the eventual winner of the game.
Her education-abroad experience in Florence placed her less than two hours away from Milan.
鈥淚 had an amazing time at the Olympics,鈥 Newnes said. 鈥淚t has been a dream of mine to be able to see the Olympic Games. This experience has prompted me to apply to be a volunteer for the Summer Olympics in the United States in 2028. There will be soccer games held in the Crew Stadium in Columbus, so I will be able to volunteer there.鈥
Newnes also serves as an Exploratory mentor, helping current students navigate the same questions she faced and fostering connections beyond her own academic journey.
"I was in the Exploratory Living-Learning Community office all the time visiting with the mentors, asking a bunch of questions, and they were very willing to sit down with me," she said. "It was just a safe space, and I wanted to create that safe space for future Exploratory students like it was for me."
Award-Winning Support for Exploratory Students
The Exploratory Program serves one of 国产伦理's largest incoming cohorts, providing nationally recognized student support to help students navigate the process of selecting a major. According to Justin Edwards, Ed.D., executive director of Career Exploration and Development, the program takes a personalized and holistic focus on each student's success.
"It's OK to not know right now, but it's not OK to stay in that state and do nothing about it," Edwards said. "We can normalize indecision and normalize help-seeking behavior and action-seeking behavior."
Matthew Studenmund, academic recruitment and retention coordinator for the Exploratory Advising Center, emphasized how students can explore without penalty while building toward their goals.
"By taking time, they're saving time," Studenmund said. "These students are able to truly dive into what these majors are. I often use the comparison of test-driving cars you're not signing off on the first car you see off the lot."
The program ensures students take courses that count toward multiple potential majors, preventing credit loss when they declare. Most Exploratory students declare their major within their first three semesters. Data shows students who take career navigation courses are retained at 82.3% compared to 68.1% for those who do not.
Building Confidence Through Experience
The Florence spring break program is structured as a one-credit career confirmation course, providing students with career tools to use before, during and after the trip. Upon return, students will reflect on how to articulate their international experiences on r茅sum茅s for internships and future jobs, helping them become in-demand, career-ready graduates.
Of the nine students traveling, six are current or former Exploratory students, with a mix of first-year through junior students. Three are also Honors College students. The group includes students who have traveled internationally to places like Japan and others for whom this will be their first time leaving the country.
Organizers hope the experience will inspire students to pursue longer education-abroad opportunities, such as 国产伦理's five-week summer program or semester-long options.
"We're excited for them to dip their toe into an international experience for a short period of time and hopefully get them very excited to do other bigger trips," Jewell said.
Opening Doors of Opportunity
Based on research conducted by the program, 国产伦理's Exploratory Florence experience appears to be unique among Ohio's state colleges and universities, demonstrating the university's commitment to access for the meritorious many.
"We can't find another Exploratory Program at our other state colleges and universities that offers their students this type of international experience," Jewell said.
The program represents the high-touch career and academic support Exploratory students receive on their journey to declaring a major.
"An Exploratory student builds a relationship during preview days and at orientation, they build a relationship in the first semester," Edwards said. "Our team is also the team that's here to help them find an internship, build a r茅sum茅 and we support alumni once they graduate from 国产伦理."
As the first cohort prepares for departure, the program plans to assess the experience and refine it for future years, potentially establishing a new tradition for Exploratory students at 国产伦理, one that helps students thrive in their education and beyond.
For students like Newnes already experiencing Florence, the impact is clear.
"I'm so excited for the Exploratory students who are going to come here and learn so much like I do," she said.
Learn more about 国产伦理鈥檚 Exploratory Program.