70th Anniversary of Study Abroad at Hollins

Hollins Abroad 70th Anniversary Exhibition

In this exhibition, Hollins celebrates 70 years of study abroad. It showcases the special memorabilia of the students, which embodies the idea of material culture reflecting our experiences. With over 3,500 alumnae/i, not every program, trip, or student is highlighted; rather, we collected objects from those who responded to the call to loan items, be interviewed for the oral histories, or whose photographs were in the archival material at Hollins. Many of these items are small, everyday representations of study abroad experiences. Where possible, narratives have been collected about these objects. These special memorabilia embody the idea of material culture reflecting our experiences. They trigger memories and are the objects we carry with us. They tell part of the story of who we are.

As head of the study abroad program at Hollins, Global Learning Hub Director Ramona Kirsch led the 70th anniversary team in organizing the various aspects of this celebration. This exhibit was put together by Ashleigh Breske, Isabel Folck, Laura Ilawan, Laura Jane Ramsburg, Lauren Sells, and the students in INTL/ARTH 265 Cultural Property, Rights and Museums. Students in the class enjoyed exploring the archives and collecting images from study abroad experiences over the years. They also consulted with donors and wrote the labels for the exhibit. You will see their names listed on individual objects throughout this site. Many of the objects in the digital exhibit were also showcased in the physical exhibit from May 29 to June 16, 2025. 

We would especially like to thank the alumnae/i who participated. We hope that those who see this project will consider participating in future iterations.