The experience can be transformative. Freshmen at Washington University in St. Louis can explore Venice, Florence, and Rome, eat black truffles, and tour museums. "It’s the greatest teaching experience I have," says Rebecca Messbarger, a professor in the department of Romance languages and literatures who has led the trip. But some students can’t go. They don’t have the money.
http://chronicle.com/article/Washington-U-Is-Fixing-Its/236945 Chronicle of Higher Education