St. Cloud State University (SCSU) today announced that it will conclude its long-running Alnwick study abroad program in Alnwick, England, at the end of the Fall 2026 semester.
For more than 50 years, the Alnwick program has been one of the university’s most distinctive academic experiences, offering students the rare opportunity to live and study in a historic English castle while engaging deeply with another culture. Thousands of SCSU students and alumni have participated in the program, gaining global perspectives that have shaped their academic, personal, and professional lives.
“Alnwick has been a transformative experience for generations of Huskies,” said SCSU President Gregory Tomso. “Its legacy is deeply woven into our university’s story and the lives of our alumni around the world.”
The decision to conclude the program follows careful review of long-term enrollment trends, student preferences, and the evolving landscape of global education. In recent years, fewer students have participated in the Alnwick program as study abroad options have expanded significantly, offering more flexible and diverse opportunities aligned with students’ academic, financial, and personal needs.
At the same time, the cost of operating a residential international campus has continued to rise, with participation levels no longer sufficient to sustain the program.
“This decision reflects the need to align our resources with how students learn and engage globally today,” President Tomso said. “It ensures we can continue to provide high-quality, accessible international experiences for our students well into the future.”
Students will still have the opportunity to participate in the Alnwick experience through Fall 2026, a final semester that will celebrate the program’s rich traditions. A special Thanksgiving at Alnwick event will also be held, welcoming alumni back to honor the program’s lasting impact.
St. Cloud State remains committed to global learning and will continue to offer a wide range of education abroad opportunities through faculty-led programs, exchange partnerships, and affiliated providers in locations around the world.
While this chapter is coming to a close, the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow beyond borders remains as strong as ever at SCSU. The university offers a wide range of education abroad experiences through global partnerships, faculty-led programs, and affiliated providers designed to help every student find their own transformative journey.
“Our commitment to global education remains strong,” said Shahzad Ahmad, Associate Vice President of Global and Multicultural Engagement. “We are expanding pathways that make international experiences more accessible to more students.”
Whether for a few weeks or a full semester, SCSU’s education abroad programs will continue the spirit of exploration, discovery, and global engagement that the Alnwick program has represented for generations.
