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Liz Matthews ‘26 was among the students who participated in the first Lehigh Launch Ecuador program, spending her first semester as a Lehigh University student overseas studying the literature, environment, and culture of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands in the fall of 2022.

A behavioral neuroscience major, Matthews described the experience as transformative, sparking a passion for international learning that has shaped the rest of her college career. She has worked in Lehigh’s Study Abroad office, is currently studying in Madagascar, and will study abroad in Indonesia next semester.

“I think my whole college path would have been completely different if I didn’t do Lehigh Launch,” Matthews said.

Yet her path into the program was almost accidental.

Matthews initially applied not out of strong interest in the program itself, but simply to demonstrate enthusiasm while first applying to attend Lehigh. She never expected to be selected for Lehigh Launch, and by the time she was, she had nearly forgotten that she applied.

“It wasn’t like a dream of mine or anything,” she said. “I pretty much only applied to Lehigh Launch to show demonstrated interest in Lehigh as a whole. But then once I got accepted, I realized, ‘Oh, this is a really unique opportunity.’ It turned out to be one of the best things I could have done.”

Exploring Madagascar and Indonesia

Matthews’ study abroad programs in Madagascar and Indonesia are offered by Lehigh’s Study Abroad office through its partnership with School for International Training (SIT) Study Abroad.

The Madagascar program focuses on biodiversity and natural resource management. Students will explore rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and the environmental challenges of the island country, which has been isolated from neighboring land masses for more than 100 million years.

In addition to examining Madagascar’s unique ecosystems, students engage with local communities and experts to understand the complex relationship between conservation, development, and cultural traditions. Fieldwork and site visits introduce students to both the ecological richness of the island and the social and policy challenges of managing its resources.

The Indonesia program is an arts, religion, and social change course that introduces students to the interplay of faith, art, and identity in one of the world’s most religiously diverse nations. Based in Bali and Java, the program combines coursework, excursions, and homestays to explore how traditions like dance, music, and ritual practices reflect Indonesia’s pluralism.

Students also study Bahasa Indonesia and conduct independent research or internships on topics ranging from local arts to community development. By engaging directly with artists, religious leaders, and community members, participants gain deeper insight into how cultural expression adapts amid social and global change.

Scholarships for Global Opportunities

Matthews received a prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which enables undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to study or intern abroad. She also received a Gilman Critical Need Language Award, which provides supplemental funding for studying in areas of certain designated critical languages.

“The Gilman reviewers look for applicants who engage deeply with their host communities, learn from their experiences abroad, and return to the United States ready to share those lessons in ways that will benefit others for years to come,” said Jennifer Marangos, OFA Fellowship Advisor, who assisted Matthews with her Gilman application. “Liz’s spirit of adventure and her pursuit of knowledge and understanding embody the very essence of the Gilman Scholarship.”

More than 60 Lehigh students have received Gilman Scholarships in the last three years, with support from Lehigh’s Office of Fellowship Advising (OFA). The application deadline for the next round of Gilman Scholarships is Oct. 7. Visit the OFA website for more information or to contact the office.

Matthews chose the Madagascar and Indonesia programs because she was seeking strong cultural immersion, like what she experienced during Lehigh Launch Ecuador. During that experience, she was fully immersed in Ecuadorian culture, learned about environmental issues, political issues, and indigenous cultures.

In Ecuador, Matthews said her favorite experience was field work in the Amazon Rainforest. She and her fellow students spent five days in the Amazon without cell phone service or electricity. They undertook daily hikes with local guides and learned about plants, animals, and medicinal uses.

“You were really forced to be present with the land and see what was there, and I just embraced that,” Matthews said. “One night we went out on a canoe, drifting slowly down the river, and we even saw a jaguar on the bank. Even the guide was really excited, since jaguars are endangered and very difficult to spot. It was incredible.”

Transformative Global Experiences Experience

Lehigh Launch is an experiential, integrative learning experience for first-year Lehigh students. Although offered in Ecuador when Matthews participated, the program is currently offered in Chile.

Matthews said her Lehigh Launch experience marked her first time in South America and first long-term experience traveling abroad. Afterward, she felt more comfortable traveling overseas, engaging with unfamiliar cultures, and navigating challenges like language barriers and public transportation in other countries.

“I admire that Liz is very driven in working toward her goals and that she is not afraid to take a less traditional path to achieve them,” said Katy Rene, Assistant Director of Study Abroad, who has worked with Matthews during her work-study role. “Her exposure to new ideas and different ways of thinking through study abroad will be a great asset in her career and her life.”

Matthews encourages students to consider study abroad even if they feel constrained by their schedules or uncertain about opportunities in their major, noting that there are programs suited for nearly every academic path. She said it offers a holistic view of the world and of academic fields beyond what one can get on a college campus.

“Studying abroad can strengthen a résumé or graduate school application, but it’s about more than just looking good on paper,” she said. “The true value is the personal growth that comes from immersing yourself in another culture and truly experiencing the world.”