Here are just a few of the opportunities we offer to explore the world!

Belize: Comparative Psychology and Cultural-Historical Studies

Comparative psychologists study the behavioral patterns & minds of a wide array of animal species, including humans. There is an emphasis on discovering similarities & differences across species that may shed light on evolutionary & developmental processes.

Belize has a rich marine life as well as diverse cultural and language traditions. We will use a comparative & cross-cultural lens to focus on marine species and on learning from the people of Belize.

After the fall semester, we will travel together for an 11-day field course to Belize to assist researchers from EcoMar (focusing on conservation issues & marine research) and to learn about the country, its people, and its traditions.

We will visit & learn about Mayan ruins, cultural heritage sites, etc. We will stay at a Belizean family-owned villa where Spanish and Mayan languages are spoken with regular opportunities to immerse ourselves in the culture and daily Belizean life.

France: Climate Crisis in Context

Study Away in France with Dr. Liesl Erb and Dr. Amy Knisley to explore how human communities in the US and France are finding resilience in the face of climate change.

This course will investigate local, regional and global climate solutions in an effort to better understand our current climate crisis and reasons to remain hopeful in the face of a daunting climate reality.

It will conclude with a two week trip to Paris, Toulouse, the French Pyrénées and the Mediterranean Coast.

Art and Social Change in Bali and Java

Bali and Java remain the most popular centers of artistic expression in Indonesia. This course will use traditional Indonesian art forms—including music, dance, and theater—as a lens through which to view social change in Bali and Java. Using an interdisciplinary framework, the course will provide us with opportunities to explore the ancient roots of Javanese and Balinese art, especially the performing arts, and discover the dynamic ways in which these traditional arts are changing in response to the pressures of globalization, modernization, and international tourism.

Onsite locations will include Janabadra University and Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta (Java), cultural destinations in Yogyakarta and Ubud (Bali), and village homestays in central Java and Bali. In addition, we’ll participate in a service-learning project and direct interactions with local Indonesian artists, college students, professors and community members.