According to the Institute of International Education, the top four destinations for American students studying abroad are European nations: the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France.
However with the approval of a 2014 Referendum on Scottish Independence as well as a Catalan parliament where fifty five percent of the members were from openly secessionist parties, the map of Europe may soon be changing. After the approval by the United Kingdom for a referendum on independence after intensive negotiations with the Scottish National Party or (SNP), it seems that there has been an awakening of nationalistic sentiments throughout many of the minorities in Europe.
Some, like the Bretons in Northwestern France and the Bavarians in Germany, still have little popular support; however, others such as those that want to see an independent Venetian Republic, do have popular support, albeit by small margins, in the case of Venice, 56 percent approval for independence.
The response to these secession movements has been mixed throughout Europe's various nations. The aforementioned Scotland has been given an official referendum; however, other movements like those in Catalonia and Venice have yet to have any real acceptance or recognition from their respective national governments. The official stance of the Spanish government is that Catalonian, Basque, or any other type of secession is unconstitutional and will not be allowed under the Spanish constitution.
This or a similar stance is held across many European countries with active secessionist movements. While very few analysts really expect the nations of Europe, long established as they are, to fragment or crumble in a similar way to the former Republic of Yugoslavia, it may be a good idea for those wanting to visit Europe to keep an ear to the ground, since there may soon be a multitude of new destinations if they choose to visit in the Old World during their time at DePauw.
-Weber is a sophomore history major from Fort Wayne, Ind.