Introduction
Since 2015, the Olseth Family Foundation has generously supported Oles as they broaden their perspectives and learn about other places and cultures through international off-campus studies. You have provided $480,000 in grants that have helped Oles with middle-to-high financial need access and complete study abroad as part of their St. Olaf experience. Thank you for this generous and critical support!

The following report details the impact the Olseth Family Foundation has made possible for Oles and our off-campus study program during this most recent grant year.

Impact
During our 2023-24 school year, the Olseth Foundation enabled 3 0 Oles from middle-income families to study abroad and take less loans to do so. St. Olaf awarded $48,150 in Olseth funds; $11,850 was not distributed due to student cancellations. These remaining funds were reallocated to students studying this 2024-25 academic year. Recipients for 23-24 awards include:

Asian Conversation (Taiwan and Japan)
● Ryan Carlisle ’26
● Caden Horan-Kimsal ’26
Classical Studies in Italy
● John Shorter ’25
Comparative Health and Wellness - Germany & Switzerland
● James Carlson ’25
● Chloe Kusser ’26
Equatorial Biology (Ecuador)
● Mason Beundorf ’24
● Jules Fromm ’24
Ghana International Capstone
● Brenden Ravndal ’24
Innovation in New Zealand (Spring)
● Alix Bettin ’26
● Ryan Harvey ’25
● Holden Luetkens ’26
Korean Arts and Critical Indigenous Studies
● Maia Maras ’24
Love and Sex in Ireland
● Michael Ruelas ’25
New York Art Interim
● Kalista Borsch ’25
Noether and Kovalevskaya (Germany and Sweden)
● Cole Monson ’24
● Colleen Peery ’24

Number Theory in Budapest
● Johnah Dean ’25
Religion and Empire in Greece and Turkey
● Julia Newman ’26
● Cooper Oleyar ’25
● Caitlin Soto ’24
● Katelyn Underwood ’26
● Olivia Wise ’26
Spain’s Cultural and Linguistic Legacy
● Liam Vance ’26
Storytelling, Healing and Family in Aboriginal and Maori Cultures (New Zealand)
● Alexander Fuhrer ’24
● Jacob Henke ’24
● Sophia Pletcher ’25
The New Hampshire Primary and U.S. Presidential Politics (US)
● Benjamin Kettelhut ’24
● Kaya Stark ’26
Theater in London (England)
● Abigail St. Peter ’26
Washington D.C. Politics and Intl Relations Practicum (US)
● Maeve Wissinger ’24

As a result of this aid, we were able to cover 50% of the overall cost of January Term participation for Olseth recipients. We were also able to reduce loan debt overall by 10% for these students. In 2023-24, middle-income students studying abroad during January term had an average of $12,268 in loan debt. This is a $1,400 drop from two years ago.

While we have lowered debt for middle-income students participating in January-term study abroad, their average loan debt remains higher than those studying in semester- and year-long programs ($11,415) and those studying on campus ($10,641). We hope to cover these gaps as we continue increasing support for aid.

These experiences remain meaningful for students and are considered a high-impact practice that strengthens learning and students’ persistence through graduation. Olseth recipients from 2023-24 shared:
• “I’ll never forget getting to study abroad for a month in Ecuador. It was a life-changing experience and I am beyond grateful for it!”
• “I studied mostly in Manchester, New Hampshire, because of the presidential primary. I’m very interested in politics and campaigns, and I thought it would be good to get some hands-on experience — I learned that I can be more confident and voice my opinions in public spaces, which I hadn’t done before. Thank you very much for helping me experience this. It was the best month I’ve had at St. Olaf, and I’ll always look back fondly on it.”
• “I was in Ireland, and I chose it because it counted for my concentration and it sounded like fun! I learned much about Ireland and its history, and my January term class was fascinating. I learned how to be more independent and adapt, being in a new country means you have to be good at getting used to new situations. I am so incredibly grateful for the donors who fund the study abroad programs, they are invaluable experiences that provide students with wonderful opportunities.”

Trends over time
Participation in study abroad by Oles overall continues to strengthen following a low of 43.2% by the Class of 2022; 61.2% of the Class of 2024 studied abroad while at St. Olaf. This increase in participation has been driven by the increased aid we can offer students.

Donor contributions through our 2014-2020 For the Hill and Beyond campaign and in the years since have substantially increased affordability for students. Total aid awarded from gift funds has quadrupled in ten years; In FY24, St. Olaf awarded $1.428 million in aid, compared to $.28 million in FY15. This increase in aid and continued support from the Olesth Family Foundation will allow us to expand coverage for students in years ahead as noted in our proposal.

Conclusion
Thank you very much for these grant awards from the Olseth Family Foundation! Study abroad is a life-changing opportunity for Oles to discover more about themselves and our world. You ensure we can continue to make international study an accessible and affordable part of a St. Olaf education. Thank you for this wonderful support you provide students with financial need!

Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Submitted by:

Janine Haidar
Senior Development Officer
St. Olaf College
Office: 507-786-3325
haidar1@stolaf.edu

no thank you