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Global Experiential Learning
The College of Arts & Letters at California State University, Sacramento is committed to preparing students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Through our Global Partnerships initiative, we foster meaningful relationships with institutions, organizations, and communities across the globe that enrich teaching, learning, research, and cultural exchange.
Overview
Our partnerships create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to enage in transformative global experiences, including study abroad, faculty-led international programs, collaborative research, and reciprocal cultural exchanges. These experiences encourage cross-cultural understanding, broaden perspectives, and equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to become engaged global citizen.
By cultivating lasting international relationships, the College of Arts & Letters expands access to diverse learning opportunities while strengthening our commitment to academic excellence, cultural appreciation, and global enagement, both within our campus community and beyond.
Faculty-Led Study Abroad: The World as Your Classroom
At Arts & Letters, learning knows no borders. Guided by expert faculty, students engage directly with the cultures, histories, languages, philosophies, and creative traditions that shape our world. From countries in Africa, the Caribbean (Guadeloupe), to China, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, our study abroad programs transform curiosity into discovery and classrooms into global learning environments. Students return with expanded perspectives, deeper cultural understanding, and the skills to lead with purpose in a connected world.
Where Will Your Learning Take You?
Carnival Excellence: Art, Competition, and Cultural Immersion
Few students ever have the opportunity to learn, create, and compete within a living cultural tradition of this magnitude. Through Sacramento State’s landmark partnership with Double Face, an award-winning Carnival organization and one of Guadeloupe’s most celebrated cultural institutions, Arts & Letters students are immersed in the full creative ecosystem of Carnival, from percussion, dance, and choreography to costume design, visual storytelling, makeup artistry, and performance production. Working alongside master artists whose expertise has shaped Carnival culture for over three decades, students gain firsthand experience in the discipline, innovation, and collective artistry required to bring large-scale cultural productions to life.
In 2026, Sacramento State students joined Double Face on the streets of Guadeloupe and earned a remarkable 5th-place finish in a competitive field of more than forty Carnival groups, demonstrating artistic excellence on one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious cultural stages. This is more than study abroad. It is art in motion, culture in practice, and experiential learning at its very highest level.
Soudé Pou Édikasyon: A Global Leadership Laboratory
Founded by Dean Gladys M. Francis, Soudé Pou Édikasyon ("Together for Education") is a signature international initiative that transforms cultural exchange into leadership, service, and global impact. Bringing together hundreds of high school students, university students, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, the program serves as a dynamic platform for learning across borders. As Global Student Ambassadors, Sacramento State students facilitate workshops, lead discussions, engage in mentorship, participate in English-language immersion activities, and represent the University on an international stage.
Hosted in partnership with leading educational and cultural institutions in France and Guadeloupe, the program cultivates cross-cultural communication, public leadership, community engagement, and global citizenship. More than an event, Soudé Pou Édikasyon is a living model of educational diplomacy, preparing students to become thoughtful leaders capable of bridging communities, advancing opportunity, and creating meaningful change around the world.
Beyond the Classroom: Student Impact
Annete Perez-Sanchez
Dance Major
My experience being in the Guadeloupe program was one of the most beautiful experiences of all time! Learning about the culture and the way they celebrate life was astonishingly inspiring and a pleasure to be a part of. Being a dancer and learning how to dance different techniques was a challenge and a stepping stone for me. Learning how to work together in leadership was key to having a beautiful experience altogether. Overall this program is truly an unforgettable experience and I am forever grateful and honored to be apart of it.
Faculty Perspectives on Experiential Learning Abroad
Melissa Muganzo, M.A., CPS
Lecturer and Faculty Coordinator
Department of Theatre & Dance
Being selected as the inaugural faculty coordinator for international performance for the College of Arts and Letters is such an honor. My background as a television showrunner, media producer, choreographer and actress set the foundational path for me to be able to take on this role and showcase Sac State's artistic brilliance to the French West Indies dance community.
Learning about the historical impact, cultural values, and West Indian artistry that Guadeloupe provides to the world was both mind-blowing and trendsetting. From embracing the performance excellence that is Guadeloupean Dimanche and Mardi Gras Festivals, to building humility for the ways in which Guadeloupe has influenced United States history, language, food, and pop culture.
As the coordinator, in partnership with my cross-divisional colleagues, I was able take Sac State's inaugural delegation to perform in a two-week artist residency where the culminating experience allowed for students to perform in Guadeloupe's annual parades. For many of the students, it was their first time traveling out of the country, being exposed to various languages, and learning different dance styles. This included learning from international award-winning artists and studying performance artistry with French West-Indian experts.
Additionally, Sac State students got the opportunity to serve as global ambassadors for Sac State and provide prospective students a pathway to study dance and theatre at Sacramento State. It was beautiful to learn of Guadeloupean students' interest to enroll at Sac State after engaging with our student delegation.
As we prepare for Guadeloupe's 2027 Mardi Gras Festivals, I am excited to have students across majors, minors, programs, and academic standings audition for the opportunity to perform in partnership with the Sac State drumline. We are proud to work together to create a magical performance and long-term partnership that ignites prospective students and families to make Sac State their home campus.
