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Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Step into Experience
Alternative Spring Break and Study Abroad expand UMSI learning across communities and cultures.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of information science, some of the most profound lessons happen far from the lecture halls of Leinweber. At the University of Michigan School of Information, experiential learning is more than a graduation requirement; it is a commitment to preparing students for a world where technology and human needs are linked. Through a suite of global exchanges and domestic service sprints, UMSI students are proving that the best way to understand an information system is to immerse themselves in it.
According to Angie Zill and Kelly Kowatch from the Engaged Learning Office, the programs are evolving to meet student needs. The UMSI study abroad portfolio has reached a new milestone, now boasting 12 dedicated partner universities worldwide. While the logistics of selecting these partners often come down to academic calendar alignment and English-taught curricula, the outcome for students is anything but mundane. New additions like the University of Toronto and the University of Zurich join established favorites like Dublin City University and Uppsala University, offering students a truly international perspective.
For those looking toward the future, the upcoming launch in Switzerland is particularly exciting. A donor-funded cost-of-living scholarship is making the University of Zurich a feasible reality for students, providing access to a diverse, multicultural institution in the heart of Europe. Similarly, the Uppsala program remains a hidden gem for its world-class UX and information curriculum. These global connections are a two-way street; every year, approximately 40 exchange students from these partner institutions join the UMSI community, bringing international insights directly into our Ann Arbor classrooms.
Closer to home, the Alternative Spring Break program continues its long-standing tradition of civic engagement. This year, multidisciplinary teams comprising students from the BSI, MSI, MHI, and MADS programs headed to Chicago and Washington, D.C., to tackle high-impact projects. These cities serve as ideal laboratories for information professionals. In D.C., students partner with organizations like the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian, while Chicago offers a rich landscape of public service and nonprofits hungry for technical expertise.
Kelly Kowatch, Director of Engaged Learning Office and Adjunct Lecturer
Angie Zill, Engaged Learning Programs Manager and Adjunct Lecturer
Study Abroad Ambassador Kavya Doshi enjoys the view over Prague, where she is completing her semester exchange at Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE).
Photo credit: Kavya Doshi
A group of Alternative Spring Break students took a break from project work with the American Library Association to snap a photo with Cloud Gate ("The Bean") at Chicago's Millennium Park.
Photo credit: Michael Shahine
While in Chicago, students like this group who worked with the organization CIRCA Pintig used public transportation to get to and from their project site.
Photo credit: Phuc Dinh
During these 40-hour "sprints," students collaborate with a community organization to build capacity in areas that are often beyond the resources available. This frequently involves tackling projects that organizations simply lack the capacity to handle alone. For a museum in a national park, this might mean creating archival finding aids that make resource management records globally accessible. For a nonprofit, it might involve a UX student conducting professional user research to improve how social workers reach those in need. These aren't just student projects; they are projects that leave a lasting mark on the host organizations.
Since its inception in 1999, these immersive programs have focused on the "sociotechnical" gap, where human needs meet digital solutions. Whether a student is navigating the tech hubs of Dublin or processing a new collection in a D.C. museum, the goal remains the same: to build the resilience, empathy, and technical fluency required to lead in an interconnected world.
For students, these programs offer a vital glimpse into a potential career and a wealth of experience to draw upon in interviews. For hosts, it is an opportunity to collaborate with a lively group of experts-in-training to tackle the projects you’ve always wanted to get to. It is an invitation to be part of a tradition that connects people, information, and technology for a better world. As the ELO team puts it: "Joining these programs gives you a chance to be part of something bigger than yourself."
Alumni and Alternative Spring Break students gathered in Washington, D.C. for a reception during the spring break week. Photo credit: Angie Zill
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