It’s one thing to look at photographs of some of the most famous artworks in history.
It’s quite another to see them in person.
Arkansas Tech University students Mars Carter of Arkadelphia, Neiah Denney of Lavaca, Lizbeth Flores of Dardanelle, Carlee Gray of Dardanelle and Willow Passmore of Greers Ferry made that leap in learning during a study abroad trip to London, England, and Paris, France, shortly after the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester.
“Being able to see both the scale and minute details is important to fully understand the impact of the paintings and sculptures,” said Jessica Mongeon, who serves as associate professor in the ATU Department of Art and accompanied the students on their trip. “They also learned about the history of each city and country and how the art and architecture that they saw relates to that history. It is an immersive experience where they get to be a part of a different culture for a while.”
The ATU study abroad delegation visited Windsor Castle, the Tate Modern art gallery and The National Gallery during its stay in London. In Paris, the group visited the recently restored Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, where the ATU students viewed the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci among other famous paintings and sculptures.
A stop in Giverny, France, provided the ATU study abroad group with an opportunity to visit the home and gardens of painter Claude Monet.
“The flowers were beautiful and we saw the water lily pond and bridge that inspired (Monet’s) paintings,” said Mongeon.
The ATU Office of Study Abroad mission statement indicates the program exists to “increase ATU’s presence and effective participation in the nation and the world” and that the program “strengthens global perspective, broadens world-view and fosters responsible global citizenship of the campus community” by providing study abroad, study away and exchange opportunities.
Fifty-five ATU students participated in study abroad and study away during the 2024-25 academic year. Those experiences were supported by an ATU Foundation investment of $83,500 in study away and study abroad scholarship assistance through the ATU Miller Center for Global Engagement.
“I believe study abroad increases student engagement,” said Mongeon. “Once they experience these places, they want to learn more and travel more. It gives them the confidence to navigate the city on their own in the future, from learning how to order in restaurants, to navigating different types of public transportation and metro systems. It helps them imagine what their lives will be like after graduation and that the world is open to them to explore.”
Learn more about the ATU Department of Art at www.atu.edu/humanities/art.
Learn more about the ATU Office of Study Abroad at www.atu.edu/studyabroad.
