Joshua Rosenbloom

Dr. Joshua Rosenbloom, Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Economics, has been leading study abroad programs to the United Kingdom since 2018. 

• Why do you lead programs?
  • I love to travel, and I enjoy sharing the experience with our students.  Many of them have never been out of the country and it is just tremendously rewarding to see their horizons broaden.  As a department chair, I don’t get to interact with that many students, and the travel course provides a way to connect in a meaningful way with them.  It is always energizing to spend time with them.  And I think it is great for them to learn a bit more about me and what I do as department chair.
• What would you say to faculty that are considering leading a program? How would you encourage faculty to lead a program?
  • The thought of traveling with 20+ undergraduates might seem intimidating at first, but it is tremendous fun.  I think every faculty member should give it a try at some point.
• What have you learned by leading programs?
  • I have learned a lot about CALS students.  I’m always curious about their passions and why they picked our travel class.  I’m not a native of Iowa and it is great to have a chance to hear about where the students grew up, what they do on summer vacation, etc.
• What has been most memorable about leading a program?
  • Even before I started leading the UK travel course the other leaders had been taking students to see a musical theatre production in London.  The last program decided to make it part of the itinerary for everyone in the course and we got tickets to see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda.  As it turned out we were seated in the first two rows and very much in the middle of the action.  The best part was seeing some of the students, who had been doubtful about going to the theatre engaged in the production.
• What do you like to do in your free time?
  • I like to read for pleasure, I am an amateur photographer, and I like to travel.
• Is there a place that you would like to lead a program, but haven’t?
  • I would enjoy taking students to Israel.
• Why should students study abroad?
  • There is no better way to understand how varied the world is and how much we are nonetheless alike.
• How would you encourage students to study abroad?
  • It depends on what is holding them back.  I would tell them not to worry about anything.  The CALS study abroad office does an amazing job in terms of arranging the logistics, the other students will be great fun, and the program directors are nice too.