Juniata College

It may be located in the remote Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, but Juniata gives students an education that's global in nature. Some 40% of its 1,500 undergraduates study abroad in one of 59 programs in 24 different countries, and the school's Global Engagement Initiative aims to integrate global perspectives into all curriculum and intentionally foster environments of diversity. In addition to foreign study, Juniata encourages students to venture off campus; the school offers "Super Internships" -- awards of up to $5,000 for students participating in internships that would otherwise be impossible to complete due to their cost. Plus, Juniata offers service trips to various international locations, and places within the U.S. Despite its small size, Juniata attracts students from 37 states and 37 countries. Rather than enrolling in a traditional major, students at Juniata work with advisors to create their own Program of Emphasis tailored to their interests, skills, and career goals. Courses and requirements of the different POEs are flexible, and some students customize their own area. In a tradition dating back to 1896, each fall the school surprises students and faculty by canceling classes and declaring "Mountain Day," the exact date of which is a closely guarded secret each year. On Mountain Day, buses bring students and staff to a local state park for picnics, field games, and nature walks.