As high school seniors prepare for one of the biggest transitions of their lives, a study abroad program at NAU offers a change of scenery—and a path to long-term success.
Designed to attract students from out of state and improve retention rates, the High School Momentum (HSM) program supports students between their high school graduation and their first year of college, using global travel and cultural immersion as tools to build confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose and community. “These tools are key to improving retention rates and students’ grades,” said Megan Bennett, education abroad advisor at NAU’s Center for International Education.
“Creating a sense of community and belonging not only has a direct impact on retention, but also improves students’ GPAs,” Bennett said. “HSM launched in the summer of 2024, serving 12 students in Costa Rica, and of the 12 participants from its inaugural year, 11 earned a 4.0 GPA in the program, with an average of 3.96 for the total group.”
The program not only takes students on an adventure abroad where they will immerse themselves in different cultures but also allows them to earn six credits before they even start college. Participants have three weeks to complete an online component before they go abroad for eight to nine days, depending on their destination.
Angelina Palumbo, director of education abroad, said HSM is offering three different destinations to choose from this year: Cusco, Peru; Bali, Indonesia and Lisbon, Portugal, each with a slightly different syllabus.
“In Peru, the students will go to Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Puno, Lake Titicaca and Amantani, where they will visit different Indigenous communities,” Palumbo said. “Bali is new this year, and students will be more focused on sustainability and clean up. In Portugal, they will focus more on food sustainability and volunteer work.”
Palumbo said they currently have funding for 33 students, and students only cover the cost of the six credits and the domestic flight to and from the airport where the group will be departing.
“For Portugal, for example, students will meet at Newark,” Palumbo said. “After that we cover everything until we get back to Newark. From there, students will have to get themselves back home.”
Students can enroll by filling out an online survey. They need to be 18 by July 1, have a 2.5 or higher high school GPA, have started an application with NAU for the fall and be from outside Arizona. After determining their eligibility for the program, they will receive emails guiding their next steps.
Raquel Cifuentes, an education abroad advisor, said even though the program is intended for out-of-state students, they may be able to accommodate a few in-state students if there are spaces available.
“Arizona residents who apply will be put in a pool,” Cifuentes said. “If there are open spots available by April, we will contact them on a first-come, first-served basis. We want to make sure all the spots are filled to allow students to experience the benefits of traveling abroad, becoming more independent and starting college with six credits under their belt.”
According to Palumbo, the program also aligns with NAU’s Student Momentum Initiative, established by President José Luis Cruz Rivera in 2023, which aims to increase first-year retention and graduation rates, and with NAU’s vision of building community.
“A lot of students don’t know anyone when they come to NAU and sometimes leave after their first semester because they don’t make friends,” Palumbo said. “It is good to see our last summer’s cohort still hanging out together on campus. They started with a friend group, and they are doing really well.”
For students like Mya Wowzynski, who traveled to Italy last summer, the program not only helped her adjust to college before she even started but also confirmed NAU was right for her.
“This program solidified the thought in my mind that NAU was the right choice for me,” Wowzynski said. “It gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people. It also solidified my dream of traveling and working abroad. This program allowed me to experience how different people interact, which will be beneficial when I transition to the business world.”
The application for the Summer 2026 program is open now, and the deadline to apply is April 15. For more information, visit the HSM website.
Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu