Story - Ricci Scholars Program
A group of Loyola students walking outdoors at the John Felice Rome Center (Photo: Lukas Keapproth)
Leading with purpose: Loyola's Ricci Scholars transform learning into action
Immersive cross-cultural research program enhances the student experience
At Loyola University Chicago, education extends beyond the classroom. The Ricci Scholars Program allows students to tackle real-world challenges through immersive, cross-cultural research in Rome and East Asia. The program is a transformative experience that combines academic rigor, global exploration, professional opportunities, and personal growth.
I was driven to do a project like this because I am very passionate about women's health and women's rights, and I believe that health is the most fundamental human right. For women to be still struggling to access maternal health care in the 21st century is not acceptable. Rebekah Jin, Global Studies Major
Leveraging real-world experiences for future opportunities
For Ricci Scholars, the world is their classroom. The competitive program pushes students to engage deeply with global issues, blending theoretical learning with hands-on research. Scholars are chosen based on a cross-cultural research proposal. They then spend their junior year abroad, and the work culminates in a paper, portfolio, or other project related to an undergraduate thesis that explores complex cultural, societal, and historical topics in both Western and Eastern contexts.
Upon graduation, students who successfully complete all aspects of the program receive a special designation as Ricci Scholars. But the effects of the experience extend beyond graduation day.
Rebekah Jin, a global studies major passionate about women's health, didn't speak Italian before becoming a Ricci Scholar and traveling to Rome. But by the end of her junior year, she was fluent enough to conduct qualitative interviews with Italian mothers about their pregnancy experiences and migrant women about their experiences accessing maternal health care. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, her research focused on urban barriers to maternal care.
“I was driven to do a project like this because I am very passionate about women's health and women's rights, and I believe that health is the most fundamental human right. For women to be still struggling to access maternal health care in the 21st century is not acceptable.”
Zac Davis a theology and philosophy alumnus, conducted a comparative study of Catholic funeral culture in Rome and Beijing. By attending ceremonies and interviewing participants, he uncovered the distinct ways these rituals reflect broader societal and religious experiences. His year of "funeral crashing," as he describes it, not only deepened his understanding of cross-cultural Catholicism but also honed the storytelling skills he now uses in his job “working for the Jesuits” as an editor at America magazine.
Anne Wingenter, Ricci Rome seminar director and assistant professor of history and women’s studies at the John Felice Rome Center, observes firsthand how students mature during the program.
“You see their confidence grow in leaps and bounds,” she says. The immersive experience challenges students to adapt to new environments, overcome language barriers, and navigate the complexities of conducting meaningful research abroad. “It gives them a sense of what they’re capable of doing,” Wingenter adds.
Loyola University Chicago
The Pursuit of Purpose
What can be learned from Loyola’s 153-year track record on social impact
Read the story
Quinlan School of Business
Meet the Loyola NIL expert who’s standing up for student-athletes
Professor Noah Henderson is at the forefront of those navigating the new and complex business landscape, working to ensure that student-athletes are paid fairly, securing their financial security, advocating publicly for their welfare, and working hard to institute laws and policy changes to help collegiate athletes.
Read the Story
Loyola University Chicago
Experiential Learning in Rural Italy
At La Porta dei Parchi students learn about—and participate in—the daily working of the farm in ways study in a classroom can’t duplicate. From the making of flour for the pastas they eat, to the milking of goats for the cheese they craft, to viewing with their own eyes the full spectrum of the food-to-table economy, the students are directly involved in the operation of the farm, which is a vital part of the curriculum.
Read the storyPreparing students for life beyond graduation
Jin did not start her college career as a Loyola student. “Ricci was actually a motivation for transferring to Loyola,” she says. The program's emphasis on global engagement and research fit perfectly with her desire for an extensive study-abroad experience. The opportunity opened fortuitous doors. Her research earned additional funding through a State Department grant and led to a presentation at the London School of Economics. Reflecting on the experience, she says, “It planted a seed. Moving into my master’s, I know there will be more opportunities to come with this topic.”
The time abroad, meanwhile, was a boon to Davis’ professional future. “The Ricci experience allowed me to walk into interviews and share how I conducted a cross-cultural study of Catholicism,” he says. “Those are skills that any employer would like to hear about.” He also made a short documentary on the Catholic Church in China. “I got asked to go as a very junior employee because I had this experience that Ricci gave me.”
After they return home, senior Ricci Scholars are expected to provide advice and support to sophomore Ricci applicants and awardees. Whether addressing maternal health inequities, exploring religious practices, or assisting other students, Ricci Scholars emerge as leaders with a sense of purpose and leadership.
Expanding access to global studies
Loyola’s dedication to opportunity and inclusion ensures that students from all backgrounds can benefit from programs like Ricci. Since its launch in 2007, the Ricci Scholars Program has supported students with competitive scholarships and mentorship, enabling them to travel and live abroad. The program provides resources like roundtrip flights between Chicago and their research destinations, a stipend each semester, and faculty guidance.
By expanding access to experiential learning in the global classroom, the university equips students to make meaningful contributions to society. This focus on community and inclusion strengthens the Loyola alumni network and amplifies its impact on the world.
As they navigate the complexities of living, learning, and researching abroad, Ricci Scholars transform lives and communities by linking education with action.
Leading with purpose: Loyola's Ricci Scholars transform learning into action
Immersive cross-cultural research program enhances the student experience
At Loyola University Chicago, education extends beyond the classroom. The Ricci Scholars Program allows students to tackle real-world challenges through immersive, cross-cultural research in Rome and East Asia. The program is a transformative experience that combines academic rigor, global exploration, professional opportunities, and personal growth.
Preparing students for life beyond graduation
Jin did not start her college career as a Loyola student. “Ricci was actually a motivation for transferring to Loyola,” she says. The program's emphasis on global engagement and research fit perfectly with her desire for an extensive study-abroad experience. The opportunity opened fortuitous doors. Her research earned additional funding through a State Department grant and led to a presentation at the London School of Economics. Reflecting on the experience, she says, “It planted a seed. Moving into my master’s, I know there will be more opportunities to come with this topic.”
The time abroad, meanwhile, was a boon to Davis’ professional future. “The Ricci experience allowed me to walk into interviews and share how I conducted a cross-cultural study of Catholicism,” he says. “Those are skills that any employer would like to hear about.” He also made a short documentary on the Catholic Church in China. “I got asked to go as a very junior employee because I had this experience that Ricci gave me.”
After they return home, senior Ricci Scholars are expected to provide advice and support to sophomore Ricci applicants and awardees. Whether addressing maternal health inequities, exploring religious practices, or assisting other students, Ricci Scholars emerge as leaders with a sense of purpose and leadership.
Expanding access to global studies
Loyola’s dedication to opportunity and inclusion ensures that students from all backgrounds can benefit from programs like Ricci. Since its launch in 2007, the Ricci Scholars Program has supported students with competitive scholarships and mentorship, enabling them to travel and live abroad. The program provides resources like roundtrip flights between Chicago and their research destinations, a stipend each semester, and faculty guidance.
By expanding access to experiential learning in the global classroom, the university equips students to make meaningful contributions to society. This focus on community and inclusion strengthens the Loyola alumni network and amplifies its impact on the world.
As they navigate the complexities of living, learning, and researching abroad, Ricci Scholars transform lives and communities by linking education with action.