Morgan previously participated in the Study USA Charlotte program himself in 2023. As a participant, he interned at NASCAR, and since graduating, he has returned to NASCAR as a full-time employee.

鈥淚t was a really cool full-circle moment to be back at Charlotte Motor Speedway two years after my first NASCAR race for the 2023 Roval Xfinity Race. The events like that race and other site visits were what made my semester in Charlotte stand out, and since I was a NASCAR intern, that stuck out the most. Getting such an immersive tour and unparalleled access to the track was one of the things that hooked me about NASCAR then, so it was exciting to share that with a new group of 黑料不打烊 students in the same shoes I was in just two years ago,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淚 am very grateful for all the sports industry professionals that I was able to connect with in my semester in Charlotte with our site visits, events and guest lecturers, so I am happy to pay it forward to the next generation of 黑料不打烊 students in Charlotte.鈥�

Two current students, Jack Gill 鈥�27 and Anthony Eppolito 鈥�27, are interning with NASCAR. They were beneficial in explaining the rules to other members of the cohort who were less familiar with the sport.

Gill grew up going to NASCAR races. For him, guiding the other students to the merchandise tents was like walking down memory lane.

鈥淭hrough Study USA Charlotte, I have been able to gain access to opportunities that I could only have dreamed of,鈥� he said of the experience.

Students are also encouraged to engage with their excursion sites as they relate to their classes. When attending a Charlotte Knights baseball game, students were tasked by professor Young Do Kim, instructor of Event and Venue Management to identify strengths and weaknesses of Truist Field. The students and faculty are able to incorporate Charlotte spaces into their homework, which provides an experience unique to the program, as opposed to classes on the central campus.

Last week, the cohort spent a portion of their class time touring Bank of America Stadium, where they learned all about the recent renovations, and what exactly goes into getting the stadium ready for a Panthers game, Charlotte FC match, a Beyonc茅 concert or a corporate event. They met current employees and listened as they explained the many different paths they took to work at the stadium. The tour was motivating, as students were able to envision themselves working there in the near future.

鈥淭he ability to learn from my favorite professors in a big city while working a part-time internship is so rewarding,” said Aaron Shyer ’26. “It really helps me feel more prepared for the real world as I get ready to graduate.鈥�

The Study USA Charlotte program aims to immerse students in the city, not by simply placing them there, but by weaving the people, places, and events of Charlotte into every facet of their educational experience.

Applications are open for the summer and fall Study USA Charlotte programs. Students can learn more and apply on the Study USA website.

The summer deadline is Dec. 1, and the fall deadline is Feb. 15.

Study USA Charlotte welcomed 18 new students to the fall cohort with a day of activities on Aug. 21.

Students moved in throughout the day, then gathered together for a tour of the apartment complex and a welcome reception in the evening. Property management reviewed community living guidelines and the reception provided an opportunity for community building through snacks and icebreakers led by program assistant, Kaitlyn Hannan.

The following day was filled with orientation activities, including testing out the light rail, which led them straight to the 黑料不打烊 Charlotte campus. Once they arrived, Associate Director Karen Neff led them through important informational sessions about the upcoming semester.

After a delicious lunch at Charlotte鈥檚 famous Optimist Hall, the cohort embarked on a scavenger hunt across NoDa, Uptown, and South End. Students worked in small groups to race around the city looking for iconic Charlotte landmarks and locations. They then met back up at the campus for an ice cream social, where they met local 黑料不打烊 alumni, some whom had participated in the same program a few years ago, to discuss all things Charlotte.

Students had down time over the weekend to settle in before orientation started up again on Monday. Hannan took a few students to play mini golf as the first optional bonding activity, but otherwise, students were free to explore Charlotte on their own. On Monday, they got a head start on their professional development as they prepared elevator pitches, drafted LinkedIn posts, and brainstormed the most important qualities for a successful intern.

That afternoon, the cohort visited Chef Alyssa鈥檚 Kitchen for a cooking class, where they worked in groups to create a delicious Tex-Mex dinner. The students received a warm welcome from co-owner and 黑料不打烊 alumnus Andrew Wilen 鈥�08. Not only did this activity promote bonding between the students, but it also helped prepare them for a semester away from dining halls and their parents鈥� cooking. This is an example of life skills students build throughout Study USA

programs that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Students then began classes. Professors Young Do Kim, Khirey Walker, and Matthew Hogue dove right into course material, preparing students for a fun but busy semester.

To round out the first week, Neff and Hannan took the cohort to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, for an exciting day of team-building activities including ropes courses, ziplining, and of course, whitewater rafting. Even the less adventurous students were able to push themselves to experience all the whitewater center had to offer, and the cohort started to relax and engage with one another more openly.

All of these experiences, while fun, are also perfectly aligned with the goals of Study USA. This cohort is already acclimating to city living in Charlotte, they have started building a network of alumni and professionals in the Charlotte area, and are participating in place-based learning.

As students begin internships this week, they are also kickstarting their professional careers. This unique experience is exactly what Study USA aims to provide. Study USA provides a unique experience encompassing these personal, professional, and academic objectives. Applications are open for Summer and Fall 2026 – visit the Study USA website to learn more and apply today!

The location not only provides a safe place to live, but also meals, access to personal care items, mental health guidance and assistance in finding employment opportunities and permanent housing.

Roof Above was born from the merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men鈥檚 Shelter of Charlotte; now one comprehensive homeless services provider. The services and programs provided by Roof Above reach over 1,200 individuals every day across multiple campuses throughout Charlotte. They are supported by the help of over 10,000 volunteers per year.

The first group of student volunteers were led by Professor Ryan Kirk and program assistant Kaitlyn Hannan. They were met with enthusiasm from fellow volunteers as they suited up in hairnets and aprons for their shift.

The students were all smiles as they served dinner at the men鈥檚 homeless shelter. In fact, one of the residents remarked that sometimes the servers don鈥檛 smile at them, and that he appreciated the 黑料不打烊 students for bringing positive attitudes to the shelter.

鈥淰olunteering at Roof Above was an amazing experience,鈥� said Katie Strohl 鈥�26. 鈥淚t was so great to work together with my friends to make a difference within our community. We would all love to go back!鈥�

To start, the students prepped dessert plates. The options included cookies, cupcakes, muffins and cakes. They worked as a team to unpackage and display the treats before the dinner rush began. They then lined up to begin service, scooping up hot dogs, fried chicken, rice, salad and beans. Some students were assigned to serve drinks, some handed out dessert, and others ensured everything was replenished promptly in the kitchen.

鈥淗elping the team at Roof Above emphasized how being involved and working with others can really make a positive difference,” said student Kaelyn Elien. “Doing service resonates with two different organizations I am a part of, my sorority and my internship, and I am so happy I am able to live out those missions in real time.鈥�

The students from the first group raved about the experience to the second, so everyone was excited to take the light rail to the shelter. Led by Hannan, the students were once again welcomed into the kitchen for another great day of service.

The students once again had a blast interacting with the residents and their fellow volunteers. They kept things light, cracking jokes and making playful jabs at rival sporting team merch worn by a few of the residents. This group was also appreciated for their friendly smiles and happy demeanor.

鈥淚 liked getting to meet people in the community and help put their meals together and put a smile on their faces,” said student Colin Foil. “It always feels good to help somebody out.鈥�

When students participate in Study USA, they are encouraged to immerse themselves in the city they call home for the duration of the program, but also to contribute to that community as responsible citizens. These students embraced this mission. Student Olivia Novak remarked that it was, 鈥渇ulfilling to see the tangible change we were making in these men鈥檚 days.鈥�

To learn more about Study USA Charlotte and other Study USA programs, check out the Study USA website.聽 To learn more about the 黑料不打烊 Charlotte campus, check out the National Campus Programs website.

After a rainy move-in day, the students gathered for a welcome reception, where they participated in bonding activities and icebreaker games, led by Associate Director Karen Neff and Program Assistant Kaitlyn Hannan.

The following day, the new cohort took their first light rail ride to the Charlotte campus, where they toured the new facility and dove into orientation. Neff kept things engaging while still offering important information on the program and the city. For example, the students got to explore Charlotte independently as they broke into groups and competed in a scavenger hunt. This activity allowed for students to get used to the light rail and to see some of Charlotte鈥檚 most iconic landmarks while bonding with other members of the cohort.

Following the scavenger hunt, the students trekked over to Chef Alyssa鈥檚 Kitchen, which is co-owned by 黑料不打烊 alumnus Andrew Wilen ’08. The students had a blast making a delicious Tex-Mex dish. They worked in groups, learning some basics and a few advanced cooking techniques, which Neff hopes will prepare them for a summer without access to a dining hall or their parents鈥� home-cooked meals. These are the types of life skills that the Study USA Charlotte programs hope to instill into the students that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The next day, students took their first Urban Design class with Professor Ryan Kirk, who took them on a walking tour of South End, the neighborhood where the Study USA Charlotte housing and campus is located. This was followed by another orientation activity, where the students worked together to decide the most essential qualities they should emulate as interns.

Later that evening, 黑料不打烊 alumni in the area mingled with the new cohort at a welcome reception. Students were able to ask questions about the industries the alumni work in and gain valuable insights into the professional culture of Charlotte. It was also a nice opportunity for students to put their networking skills to the test before heading into their internships the following week.

The alumni were also invited to a lecture by Professor Kirk about the history of Charlotte鈥檚 urban design, where the students were challenged to think deeply about the choices that led to creating the Charlotte they know today.

Over the weekend, some of the students participated in an optional bonding activity- mini golf. Hannan took the cohort to The Puttery, a modern mini golf course and restaurant located near the Charlotte campus. The students were excited to see a little more of what Charlotte has to offer while engaging in friendly competition.

Students then began their internships at different organizations around the city. Some internship locations include Charlotte Off-Broadway, American Cornhole League, Special Olympics NC, the ACC and Make-A-Wish.

Overall, it was an action-packed first week in the Queen City, and the students are excited to see what else is in store for the summer!

To learn more about Study USA Charlotte and other Study USA programs, check out the .聽 Applications open October 1 for summer and fall 2026 programs. To learn more about the 黑料不打烊 Charlotte Campus, check out the .