The mission of the Naval Academy’s International Programs Office (IPO) is to enhance globalization of midshipmen education by seeking and creating experiential opportunities to increase foreign language proficiency, enhance regional understanding and appreciate cultural differences and points of view.
Our 19th year saw a total of 407 midshipmen for semester abroad, short duration language and cultural experiences and foreign exchange cruises. The expertise of the International Programs team ensured the safe planning and execution of complex trips around the globe. This last cycle, we sent 81 midshipmen, the most in a semester, to 20 different countries. For the first time, we participated in the Chilean Naval Academy and French Naval Academy sailing regattas, with the Navy Offshore Sailing Team taking first place at the Ecole Navale International Sailing Week.
We could not do this without the generosity of the many classes, individual donors and foundations who believe in developing the global awareness of our future leaders. Upon their return, the midshipmen reflect on the time spent abroad and its impact on their understanding of the U.S. strategic alliances and coalitions around the world. They discover tangible evidence of the strength of relationships with foreign partners and demonstrate empathy in their leadership styles within the Brigade.
We look forward to your interaction with the midshipmen upon your return to the Yard to see the Margin of Excellence you are supporting. You should be very proud!
On behalf of the Brigade—THANK YOU!
Paul Fujimura Director, International Programs Office
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS YOUR IMPACT
292
midshipmen participated in 40 trips led by 44 faculty members to 25 countries during the summer.
19 countries were hosts to 81 midshipmen for semester study abroad opportunities supported by IPO.
25% of each graduating class will have been able to participate in a significant IPO experience.
SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
Semester study abroad programs are opportunities for midshipmen who are in their junior year or in the first semester of their senior year. Although the largest number of these midshipmen are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors, many of them enhance their experience by enrolling in programs that are immersed in the host country’s language.
Some of these programs are reciprocal, meaning that midshipmen study with counterpart naval academies in countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea and Spain. The majority of the international exchange midshipmen primarily attend during the fall semester—last cycle, there were 30 in the fall and seven in the spring semester.
In Academic Year 23-24, 81 midshipmen were able to study in 19 countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Morocco, New Zealand, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and UAE.
ARABIC
American University of Cairo, Egypt
“Studying and living in Egypt was an invaluable experience that I will never forget and that changed my outlook on the world. I am much more grateful for the freedom we are afforded in the United States. I interacted with a population that has many fewer rights, freedoms and opportunities and it caused me to reflect on the true privilege and honor it is to be an American citizen and to serve. I learned so much about the Middle East and about myself. I recognize the differences in culture, religion, politics and perspectives here that allow me to understand why Egypt is so different from the West. This semester developed me in all areas and truly will make me a better leader.”
Noor Majan Language Institute
“This program was one of the most impactful experiences I have ever partaken in. When it comes to cultural exposure and knowledge gained from international perspectives completely foreign to those commonplace within the Naval Academy, I have gained insights and attained a perspective that has altered the lens through which I perceive ideas and knowledge forever. From a proficiency perspective, I have improved immensely in all areas: reading, writing, listening and speaking. This semester has given me the opportunity to hone my communication skills, not just in another language, but also in a generic capacity with those who speak little to no English.”
MIDN C.P. BRENNAN ’24
MIDN W. S. GOLDSBERRY ’25
MIDN BRENNAN IN THE KHAN AL-KHALILI BAZAAR IN CAIRO
MIDN BRENNAN AT ABU SIMBEL
MIDN GOLDSBERRY VISITING JEBEL SHAMS VIEWPOINT OR GRAND CANYON OF THE MIDDLE EAST
MIDN GOLDSBERRY AND FELLOW
NOOR MAJAN STUDENT SAHAR
VISITING MUTRAH SOUQ
MIDN MARTINEAU IN THE SAHARA
MIDN MARTINEAU IN CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO
CADET WOEBLING, MIDN WRIGHT, MIDN CROTTY, CADET CURD, MIDN DHILLON, MIDN DAILY AT WORLD CUP MATCH
MIDN DHILLON AND MIDN CROTTY IN DIVE CHAMBER, HMAS PENGUIN , SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Amideast, Morocco
“I fully believe that in order to become proficient in a language, you have to first understand the culture, as culture is reflected in language. Having the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Morocco has given me a much greater appreciation and understanding of the Arabic culture and language, being able to fully immerse myself in them and experience important cultural traditions. Learning to adapt to a new society with different societal norms was difficult at times but gave me a greater appreciation for the freedoms I have back home. The lessons I have learned in communication and intercultural relations from my time abroad will remain with me throughout my career.”
Australian Defense Force Academy, Canberra, Australia
“This experience tested me in ways I had never been tested before. I grew as a person and as a student. I gained a greater appreciation for the U.S. military and how we do things. I appreciated noticing the differences between our two nations and enjoyed getting to know new people and explore places I only dreamed of going to. I am excited to go back to USNA and share with my classmates what I have learned here. I am confident that my experience here will influence me to be a better leader in the hall and one day in the fleet. I watched different methods of leadership and noted some aspects of ADFA that I want to try to bring back to my company and the Academy as a whole. I worked hard academically to make the most of my studies and to get full benefit of the different teaching styles utilized at ADFA. I am a different person now than I was when I left. I learned so much about myself and who I want to be. I am excited to reflect on this experience as a whole and share it with my friends and family.”
JAPANESE
Japanese National Defense Academy (JNDA), Japan
“Building strong relationships with Japan is pivotal in our global landscape. My time at the National Defense Academy stands as the highlight of my academy career, showcasing the value in fostering connections with Japan. This experience emphasized the importance of international collaborations, shaping new perspectives and global harmony. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and thank you for sending me to the National Defense Academy of Japan.”
MIDN KELLY M MARTINEAU ’24
MIDN JOHN M CROTTY ’25
MIDN SAYRA OWENS ’25
SPANISH NAVAL ACADEMY
“My semester study abroad at the Escuela Naval Militar (ENM) was deeply influential for me on a professional, academic and personal level. By leaving your area of comfort and seeing a new way of life and approaching problems, I believe it fundamentally changes your perspective for the better. I continued my academic and professional development in a foreign country and language, experiencing new ideas and trainings that I could not have done had I stayed in the U.S. From seeing the way the Spanish train, to the level of respect they give their officers and the hospitality they give to foreigners and guests, I’m not only taking back memories and experiences from my time at ENM, but also things for me to implement into my day-to-day life.”
STEM
University of Canterbury, New Zealand
“The experience in New Zealand has changed me forever and profoundly impacted me to the core. From staying overnight at a tribal ancestral ground of the indigenous peoples to climbing Mount Herbert to visiting the American embassy and everything in between, the past semester was, undoubtedly, the best few months of my life in a professional and character development sense in addition to the obvious recreational enjoyment aspects. I am eternally grateful to all members of IPO, academics staff, donors and everyone who works to make this opportunity possible. The past few months have provided me with a wide-ranging spectrum of life experiences that I will hopefully be able to call upon to better lead sailors or Marines in the near future.”
CIEE Prague, Czech Republic
“My study abroad experience greatly impacted my understanding of the world, history and the role I will play as a future Naval officer. I had few overseas experiences before applying for the program and I knew it was an experience that would greatly develop me as a person and a leader. Studying abroad allowed me to challenge my ideas of the world and explore a culture that is very different than what I grew up with. I learned just how important the United States is to other countries and how the decisions I make as an officer reach farther than just my own country. I have gained a greater sense of self-confidence, independence and problem-solving abilities.”
American University of Cairo, Egypt
“Studying abroad has been a transformative experience, contributing to my growth as both a person and a leader. The challenges and lessons learned have prepared me to make a meaningful impact, grounded in the values and principles upheld by the Naval Academy.”
MIDN CHRISTIAN C KEHR ’25
MIDN L. M. HENDERSON ’25
MIDN C. L. SCHUETZ ’24
MIDN HUINER (LEFT), MIDN MCWHORTER (MIDDLE), AND MIDN HENDERSON (RIGHT) AT INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE IN CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
MIDN MARTINEAU IN CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO
MIDN HENDERSON (BOTTOM RIGHT) WITH UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY TRAMPING CLUB ON THE CLUB’S FIRST OVERNIGHT HIKE OF THE SEMESTER IN CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
MIDN HERNANDEZ AND SCHUETZ AT OLD TOWN SQUARE IN PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
SPRING BREAK TRIPS
In spring 2024, 30 midshipmen took the opportunity to travel abroad during spring break to immerse themselves in diverse cultures around the world, focusing on specific themes or events that fit their personal interests or studies.
ARGENTINA/URUGUAY: The Argentina and Uruguay spring break trip offered four midshipmen military exchanges at the Argentine Naval Academy as well as the Uruguayan Naval Academy in addition to visits to historical, cultural and political sites of interest across the Río de la Plata region. The midshipmen were open-minded, flexible and adaptable, and our foreign partners in Argentina and Uruguay were gracious and hospitable hosts. In Argentina, midshipmen sailed on the River Plate with Argentine cadets and officers, visited the Argentine Naval Museum in the city of Tigre and made lasting friendships with Argentine cadets at the naval school in La Plata. In Buenos Aires, the group visited the Casa Rosada, the historic Recoleta Cemetery and the Museum of History and Memory, the site of a former naval detention and torture center which helped deepen our understanding of the complicated the role of the armed forces in Latin American politics and society.
FRANCE: From Paris to Brittany, then Normandy to Loire Valley, midshipmen on this trip visited many significant sights, battlefields, museums and monuments. The midshipmen also discovered French Navy installations and assets. The trip included the opportunity to taste French food and to increase midshipman knowledge of French culture and foreign policy. Since the LaFayette epics, France and the United States are the oldest allies in the world and still have a very close relationship for every military affair. Future officers who were interested in having a better knowledge of their future comrades found this trip to be very valuable.
ITALY: Midshipmen took part in the Sanremo competition, an International Humanitarian Law (IHL) competition where mixed-nationality teams composed of three cadets/midshipmen represent a notional country in a multi-lateral Law of Armed Conflict scenario. Students study and learn IHL and how to work as a team to overcome legal issues that will arise during such a conflict. After learning IHL in 10 weekly sessions, the midshipman team traveled to Sanremo, Italy, to spend a week participating in the competition.
MIDSHIPMEN VISITING THE EIFFEL TOWER IN PARIS, FRANCE
MIDN LUECHTEFELD, FREEMAN, EVINS AND TANAKA RIDING HORSES ON RANCH IN ARGENTINA
OMAN: The Oman Language, Regional Expertise and Culture (LREC) trip gave four midshipmen the opportunity to travel to the Middle East nation of Oman for a week filled with history, language and culture education. The first few days were spent in the capital city of Muscat visiting the ancient souq near the port of Muttrah as well as Omani National Museum, which explained the role Oman has played for more than 5,000 years in connecting Mesopotamia, Africa, India and beyond, via both land and sea—Oman retains a strong maritime and naval heritage. After three nights in Muscat the group caught a flight down to Salalah, well south of the Tropic of Cancer. Of course, travelers can’t go to the Middle East without riding camels and famous Arabian horses, which the midshipmen did at sunset one night. After two nights in Salalah they boarded a flight from the far south of Oman to its far north—the mountainous Musandam Peninsula on the Strait of Hormuz, their last stop.
The Persian Gulf (called the “Arabian Gulf” in the Arab world) stretches about 600 miles from its headwaters in Iraq and southwestern Iran to its mouth at the Strait of Hormuz. A visit to the northern Omani fishing village of Kumzar allowed the midshipmen to glimpse the transiting supertankers and the Iranian coast just to the north, emphasizing the narrow width and vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, an awareness of which served as a critical goal for this trip. During this trip the group of travelers learned about the culture, history and security of Oman.
PERU: The Peru Naval Engagement and Culture LREC was an immersive language, culture and training experience developed in collaboration with the Peruvian Head of Navy (USNA Class of 1987) and the director of the Peruvian Naval Academy. In Lima, midshipmen stayed at the Peruvian Naval Academy and toured the submarine and surface forces in Callao.
After departing Lima, the group flew to the Iquitos Naval Base in the Amazon where they participated in Amazonian Patrol activities and visited the Special Forces Camp. They had the unique opportunity to shadow the Special Forces for a day as well as complete a basic jungle survival course. The final two days of the LREC were spent touring the ancient capital Cusco and hiking Machu Picchu.
PUERTO RICO: The trip to Puerto Rico held technical and socio-cultural objectives. From a technical experience, midshipmen studied the current state of the power grid system, which collapsed for several months after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017, and the current efforts from local entities and government agencies toward resiliency and renewable energies. From a socio-cultural experience, students visited several historical landmarks and natural resources. To accomplish these objectives, students visited three main regions: San Juan Metropolitan area, Adjuntas and Utuado (in the center), and Lajas in the south.
MIDN CEH AT MACHU PICCHU, PERU
MIDSHIPMEN VISITING POWER PLANT IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
2024 SUMMER DURATION PROGRAMS
During the summer, 292 midshipmen participated in 40 trips led by 44 faculty members to 25 countries. These impactful programs provided opportunities to develop foreign language proficiency, understand regions and their associated challenges and appreciate other points of view. These opportunities are divided into language immersion programs, cultural opportunities and professional training with foreign navies.
LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS
The Language Immersion Programs are focused on language development and cultural immersion for the seven languages taught at USNA.
• Arabic in Egypt
• Chinese in Singapore
• French in France
• German in Germany
• Japanese in Japan
• Russian in Latvia
• Spanish in Costa Rica
Additionally, USNA participates in the Critical Language Scholarship Program sponsored and administered by the U.S. State Department. This enabled seven participants in the following programs:
• Arabic in Oman
• Chinese in Taiwan
• Hindi in India
• Indonesian in Indonesia
• Japanese in Japan
CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
The IPO office engages midshipmen in faculty-led excursions in order to develop global awareness and cross-cultural appreciation. The following trips took place over summer 2024 and varied in length, location and group size. Each experience had a profound impact on the personal and professional development of the midshipmen.
This summer, these opportunities occurred in: Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, the U.K., Italy, Austria, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Peru, Poland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and Vietnam.
“This trip to Brazil opened my eyes in ways I would have never anticipated and without a doubt will be a lasting core memory. After this trip, I understand the importance of a first impression and the impact of welcoming others with open arms.”
“This trip to Daugavpils University in Latvia pushed my Russian skills to the next level; the more Russian I learned, the more excited I became to learn more. I cannot fully describe how thankful I am for this wonderful opportunity.”
MIDN MATT MARINKOVICH ’25
MIDN ANNIE TAYLOR ’25
VIETNAM
EGYPT
GHANA
FRANCE
NEPAL
NORWAY
BRAZIL
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND OTHER ENGAGEMENTS WITH
COUNTERPART
NAVIES
This cycle, midshipmen participated in the following events:
• Five competed in a sailing regatta at the Chilean Naval Academy.
• Two attended the International Cadet Conference held at the Japan National Defense Academy.
• Two represented USNA in a Leadership Conference at the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno.
• Five participants in a sailing regatta at the French Naval Academy (and won!).
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM
Since 1863, there have been 593 graduates from 80 countries. For Academic Year 2023-2024, there were 58 international students from 27 countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, The Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Palau, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Tunisia. These students are fully integrated within the Brigade and return to their host nation upon graduation.
IPO LOOKING FORWARD
Thanks to the philanthropic efforts of the many donors, classes and foundations who support IPO, approximately 25% of each graduating class will have been able to participate in a significant experience abroad that opens doors for developing global awareness.
Priorities for the next cycle include:
• Working with the Naval Academy Foundation to establish a stable funding base for IPO. This will enable out-year planning in support of an ambitious International Program Strategy and robust Operational Implementation Plan (OIP) that brings the Margin of Excellence to future graduates.
• Finding support for an additional IPO staff member to increase the number of opportunities for midshipmen to participate in short-duration/high intensity summer experiences—each staff member directly supports the OCONUS needs of 150 midshipmen.
• Seeking funding to provide international training to the new Foreign Area Studies majors—the Class of 2024 were the first graduates with this major.
• Increasing engagement and partnerships with counterpart service academies and other key stakeholders. This will include participation in USNA midshipmen-led conferences and USNA summer professional programs.
THANK YOU
Thanks to the generous support from the Naval Academy community, the International Programs Office is nationally recognized for excellence in internationalization, innovation and creativity. Because of this, the Naval Academy can continue to expand upon programs that transform the personal and professional lives of midshipmen and faculty. Thank you for your commitment to the mission of the International Programs Office.
