Each fall, hundreds of Notre Dame students submit study abroad applications in hopes of spending a semester or summer in a new country, culture and learning environment. Rome, Dublin and London remain at the top of student interest lists, drawing large applicant pools and competitive selection rates.
According to Robert Leis, director of study abroad at Notre Dame Global, a combination of familiarity, comfort and scale continues to make these programs especially popular.
“Western Europe has always captured students’ imagination,” Leis said. “It’s a picture implemented into our minds from a very young age – the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. For many, it’s their first time abroad, so there’s a comfort in joining a large group of Notre Dame students.”
Programs in Rome, Dublin and London typically enroll between 50 and 100 Notre Dame students per term. The Rome and London programs are run through Notre Dame, offering familiar infrastructure, while in Dublin, Notre Dame students attend either Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University or University College Dublin.Leis explained that these offerings allow students to experience life abroad while maintaining a strong connection to the Notre Dame community, which makes them so popular.
But that popularity comes at a cost: competitiveness.
During the most recent application cycle for fall 2025 and spring 2026, the Study Abroad Office received roughly 1,300 applications for its semester programs. While most students who apply to the maximum of two programs and remain flexible between fall and spring terms secure placements, the flagship European sites are not as easy to secure a spot in.
“We don’t use waitlists,” Leis said. “We accept accordingly. If a student doesn’t get their first choice, we reach out directly because several other programs still have space. Those secondary rounds fill up fast, usually within two weeks.”
Leis explained that study abroad placements are not decided by lottery. Each application is reviewed holistically, considering academics, program fit and faculty recommendations.
“Academics drive everything,” he said. “It’s not random. The strongest applicants show a genuine alignment between their coursework and the specific offerings of the program they’ve chosen.”
Applications for semester programs each require short written responses, academic records and recommendations from their rector and major-specific advisor.
While Western Europe remains the most popular region, Leis said he and the University encourage students to explore destinations that challenge them culturally and intellectually.
“The most profound learning happens in places of discomfort, not danger, but situations that push us outside our comfort zones,” Leis said. “No one goes to the gym because it’s easy. The same is true of studying abroad.”
He added that locations in Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe offer unique opportunities for students to develop intercultural competence and adaptability – skills that employers consistently value.
“Companies talk to us about intercultural competency all the time,” Leis said. “Those who go beyond Western Europe often return with experiences that stand out.”
In recent years, programs in Athens and South Korea have grown significantly in popularity. Leis attributed this trend to “peer-to-peer marketing,” as word of mouth spreads quickly once a program gains footing.
“Athens is really growing,” he said. “Once a program reaches a critical mass, it spreads even faster. We’re seeing that right now.”
For junior Emmie Vajda, who will study in Athens this coming spring, the program’s growing popularity came as a surprise.
“I chose Athens because I thought it would be less competitive,” Vajda said. “But after I got accepted, I heard a lot of people didn’t get in. I think many students thought the same thing I did.”
Vajda said she was drawn to Athens after taking a history course on ancient Greece. “It’s obvious when people put effort into their applications,” she said. “I talked about my class on ancient Greece and my interest in literature and philosophy. I think that helped me stand out.”
“The apartments are apparently right next to the Acropolis,” Vajda said. “It’s a small group, so I think it’ll feel very immersive. I’m also excited for my literature class on ancient Greek tragedies.”
Leis said that smaller or newer programs like Athens can provide deeply personal and transformative experiences, often becoming students’ favorite semesters.
“The overwhelming response we hear afterward is, that was the best place I could have gone,” he said. “Students are nervous at first, but once they step outside the box, they build confidence and character.”
In addition to semester-long opportunities, Notre Dame also offers summer faculty-led programs. These programs typically last three to eight weeks, award three to eight credits and focus on specific areas of study.
“Summer programs are cohort-driven,” Leis said. “They allow students to study a topic they’re passionate about without it being a requirement for their major.”
Whether through semester or summer programs, Leis said the University’s goal remains the same: to help students grow academically, personally, and globally.
“Ultimately, it’s about finding what serves your academic and future goals,” he said. “It’s less about where your friends are going and more about what kind of experience will challenge you to think differently.”