Opening the World to Every Dietrich School Student
When Oksana Stalczynski reflects on her personal study abroad experiences, she sees the profound impact that global education can have on a student's trajectory. Now, as the Dietrich School's first-ever Director of Global Experiences, she ensures that more students can access those life-changing opportunities.
“My own study abroad experiences were truly life-changing and fundamentally shaped both my worldview and my professional path,” says Stalczynski. “These experiences opened up entirely new ways of thinking for me - about culture, identity, learning, and connection across difference.”
The creation of Stalczynski's unique 50/50 position, which bridges the Dietrich School and the University's Global Experiences Office (PittGEO), is a strategic response to a persistent challenge: while the Dietrich School consistently ranks as the top-sending school at Pitt in absolute numbers, the proportion of participating students remains low.
"This role was created to deepen the connection between the Dietrich School and the College of General Studies (CGS) and global education opportunities by embedding global engagement more directly into the academic life of our students," Stalczynski explains. "It reflects the shared vision of PittGEO and school leadership - a commitment to ensuring that global engagement isn’t something extra or optional, but something embedded in how we prepare students for academic and professional success in a complex, interconnected world.”
The disparity in participation rates stems, in part, from the academic breadth of the Dietrich School and CGS, which span disciplines from the humanities and arts to natural and social sciences.
"That diversity is a strength, but it also means there is no one-size-fits-all model for study abroad," Stalczynski notes. "Historically, there weren't consistent or direct ways to connect students across all these disciplines with global opportunities.”
Embedding the office within the Dietrich School has enabled PittGEO to build meaningful partnerships with academic advisers, faculty, and student-facing offices that maintain deep, ongoing relationships with students.
“These partners have helped us integrate global experiences into existing student touchpoints and share opportunities in more timely and relevant ways,” says Stalczynski.
The embedded approach is already showing results: The 2024-2025 academic year saw a 21% increase in study abroad applications started by Dietrich and CGS students.
Today's global experiences extend beyond traditional semester-abroad programs. Dietrich School and CGS students participated in more than 80 different global experiences this academic year, including short-term summer programs, research opportunities, internships, and service-learning initiatives.
"We typically see three main pathways emerge," Stalczynski shares. "Students looking to fulfill Gen Eds through a global lens; those aiming to deepen their major or minor studies abroad; and those seeking hands-on, career-focused experiences that help them build skills and networks."
One particularly successful innovation has been the First-Year Global Experiences portfolio. This year's pilot programs in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Ghana received over 100 applications and sent 44 first-year students abroad after their spring semester.
"Research shows that early exposure to global opportunities positively impacts academic performance and often shapes a student's entire undergraduate trajectory," Stalczynski says.
Through her work, Stalczynski combats persistent misconceptions that deter students from exploring international opportunities.
"One of the most common myths is that students need to speak a foreign language or be studying a particular region of the world to study abroad," she admits. "Over 95% of our programs are offered fully in English, even in non-English speaking countries."
Financial concerns represent another significant barrier.
"Financial concerns are consistently cited as a top barrier to participation. That's why we offer a range of program models, including many that cost no more than the typical cost of attendance at Pitt," Stalczynski says. "My message to students and families is simple: if you have an interest in global experiences, don't assume it's out of reach—come talk to us and explore your options."
Students who participate in international experiences gain skills critical for workplace success, such as adaptability, resilience, and intercultural communication. These skills set students apart from their peers in the job market.
This work is deeply personal for Stalczynski, whose experiences of studying abroad completely shifted her career trajectory from cognitive studies to international higher education.
"I wanted to help other students experience the same kind of growth and discovery that had meant so much to me," she says. "Every Dietrich and CGS student who is interested in a global experience should be able to participate in one—regardless of major, background, or financial circumstance."
With a target of increasing participation by at least 10% annually over the next five years, Stalczynski is working to make global experiences a signature feature of a Dietrich School education.
"Our alumni community can play a powerful role in helping shape the next generation of globally engaged Dietrich and CGS students,” adds Stalczynski. “One of the most impactful things alumni can do is simply share their own stories. […] Whether through mentoring, speaking with students, or supporting scholarships that offset the financial barriers many students face, alumni involvement helps bring us closer to a future where every Dietrich and CGS student who wants to study abroad can do so.”
Return to the July 2025 issue »