Study Away Opportunities

Instructor: Dr. Nathan Swanson

Class Meetings: 10.30–11.20am ET Tuesdays and Thursdays (Synchronous Online)

HONR credits: 2

In this course, students from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana), Unisinos (Porto Alegre, Brazil), and Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco (Cuzco, Peru) will collaborate virtually in interdisciplinary teams to identify solutions to a global or trans-local challenge. At the start of the course, students from all three universities will meet together to learn about the topic from a range of disciplinary perspectives through guest lectures, assigned readings, and class discussions. Students will then be divided into interdisciplinary teams with members from all three universities and provided a prompt related to the theme. Teams will spend the remainder of the course focused on researching, developing, and packaging their solutions, which they will present publicly at the end of the term. In addition to increasing knowledge of the topic and improving teamwork skills, students in this course will advance in intercultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes through their international collaborative experience.

Those completing this course will be given first priority to enroll in a subsidized study abroad program to our partner university over the subsequent Spring Break period for additional credit.

Instructor: Multiple sections/instructors

Class Meetings: Asynchronous Online

HONR credits: 2

“Exploring Place” is an examination of the cultural, social, and historical dynamics that influence communities and relationships of a site. Blending independent study and distance learning, in this experiential learning course, the student and the instructor work together to design an individualized, in-depth study of the place in which the student is located. This study will be attentive to the social, cultural, political, economic, and other forces that have shaped this place historically and today, while also focusing on community life and the relationships between residents, institutions, organizations, and others. Exploring Place offers students the opportunity to better understand the people and places around them, expand their worldviews, and increase their self-awareness as they engage within these spaces and understand their place in them.

This course meets the university's core requirement for Human Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Chicago, Illinois

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Muiris MacGiollabhui

HONR credits: 1

This fall break course will bring students back to the nineteenth century in Chicago at a time of steam engines, robber-barons, and railway strikes. In Chicago, we will explore the lives of laborers, who were often migrants newly arrived in the United States, as they navigated the crushing economic inequality of the Gilded Age. We will explore the rise of labor unions and radical agitators who faced off with men like Rockefeller and Carnegie. This is a three-day, two-night trip back in time.

There is an additional fee for this course, estimated at $600, which includes transportation, lodging, and some meals.

Camp Tecumseh, Brookston, Indiana

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Adam Watkins

HONR credits: 1 

Honors Leadership Retreat is for Honors students who want to take meaningful steps on the path to becoming an exceptional leader. The retreat consists of a highly interactive two-day, one-night stay at Camp Tecumseh over Fall Break. Here, students can explore principles of leadership excellence in a fun, supportive, low-stakes environment, while also making connections with other Honors leaders. The fundamental tenets of the Leadership Development Pillar will be explored, including collaborative leadership; social responsibility; and personal leadership strengths, styles, values, and commitments.

There is an additional fee for this course, estimated at $200, which includes transportation, lodging, and meals.

Instructor: Dr. Nathan Swanson

Class Meetings: 11.30–12.20am ET Tuesdays and Thursdays (Synchronous Online)

HONR credits: 2

In this course, students from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) and the University of Padova (Padova, Italy) will collaborate virtually in interdisciplinary teams to identify solutions to a major global challenge. During the first eight weeks of the course, students will prepare for the Solutions Lab through training in intercultural competencies and increasing their knowledge of Italy. Mid-way through the semester, students will begin to meet with their peers at Padova. After a week of virtual introductions, students will receive first priority to participate in a low-cost study away program to Italy during Spring Break to meet their Padova counterparts in-person and explore both student life and the semester topic in Italy. They will then return home to continue the virtual class experience. During these initial weeks of the Solutions Lab, students at both universities will learn about the semester’s topic from a range of disciplinary perspectives through guest lectures, assigned readings, and class discussions. Working in interdisciplinary, cross-cultural teams, students will then spend the remainder of the semester researching, developing, and packaging their solutions, before presenting them publicly during the final class meeting. In addition to increasing knowledge of the topic and improving teamwork skills, students in this course will advance in intercultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes through their international collaborative experience.

Those completing this course will be given first priority to enroll in a subsidized study abroad program to our partner university over Spring Break for additional credit.

Instructor: Dr. Leighton Buntain

Class Meetings: 8.30–9.20am ET Tuesdays and Thursdays (Synchronous Online)

HONR credits: 2

In this course, students from Purdue University, National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan), and National Taiwan University will collaborate virtually in interdisciplinary, multinational teams to identify solutions to a major global challenge. Our global challenge will be Preparing the Global Economy for the Next Pandemic, with a special focus on Taiwanese and U.S. economic networks. The course includes a range of disciplinary perspectives through guest lectures, assigned readings, and class discussions to build the foundations for the team-based project. Teams will spend several weeks of the course focused on researching, developing, and packaging their solutions, before presenting them publicly at the end of the term. In addition to increasing knowledge of the topic and improving teamwork skills, students in this course will advance in intercultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes through their international collaborative experience.

Those completing this course will be given first priority to enroll in a subsidized study abroad program to our partner universities during the subsequent Maymester period for additional credit.

Instructor: Deanna Tomasin McCormick

Class Meetings: Asynchronous Online

HONR credits: 2

"Exploring Place" is an examination of the cultural, social, and historical dynamics that influence communities and relationships of a site. Blending independent study and distance learning, in this experiential learning course, the student and the instructor work together to design an individualized, in-depth study of the place in which the student is located. This study will be attentive to the social, cultural, political, economic, and other forces that have shaped this place historically and today, while also focusing on community life and the relationships between residents, institutions, organizations, and others. Exploring Place offers students the opportunity to better understand the people and places around them, expand their worldviews, and increase their self-awareness as they engage within these spaces and understand their place in them.

This course meets the university's core requirement for Human Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Exeter, United Kingdom

Program Dates: early January to mid-June 2025

Number of Credits: full semester worth of credits, including up to 8 HONR credits through the research and intercultural components of the program

University of Exeter offers exchange students the opportunity to choose classes from over 30 departments at this world class university.  With over 200 student societies and over 50 sports clubs the University of Exeter offers you an opportunity to continue developing your skills outside of the classroom while living in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK. Direct Credit is available from the College of Liberal Arts and Daniels School of Business, but students in any Purdue college are eligible to enroll.

Expenses Paid to Purdue: Purdue tuition plus $32/month for international insurance

Additional Expenses: Airfare, housing, local transportation, meals, books and supplies, and miscellaneous personal expenses

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1512  

Application deadline is September 15th. Space in this program is limited!

Padua, Italy

Program Dates: approximately January to June 2025

Number of Credits: All Galilean School courses transfer as HONR credits

The Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori (Galilean School of Higher Education) is a school of excellence that combines traditional university education with a series of special in-house courses comprising seminars and lectures by visiting professors of international fame. Divided into three categories, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, the Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori illustrates the techniques and methods used for scientific research, and then affords students a deeper insight into the field. This program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

Expenses Paid to Purdue: Purdue tuition, along with housing fees and $32/month for international insurance

Additional Expenses: airfare, local transportation, meals, and miscellaneous personal expenses

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1187

Application deadline is September 15th.

JAZZ IN NOLA

New Orleans, Louisiana

Program Dates: March 15–22, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Jason Ware

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits

“Jazz happened in America...” In this program we will investigate the social, economic, and intellectual conditions that influenced the inception, growth, and dissemination of jazz, and the extent to which it contributed to a better quality-of-life in the city of New Orleans. During this place-based investigation, we will access oral histories, photos, and scores within Tulane’s Hogan Jazz Archives to get a sense of how the unique demographics and geography of New Orleans enabled and nurtured the development of its musical culture and creative place-making. Our time in the archives will lay a foundation for understanding black (Creole/Latina/o) sub-cultures that developed in the South in response to oppressive life circumstances, and that directly influenced jazz as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Program activities will include guided tours, live music, local food stops, and visits to parks and neighborhoods where we will be fully immersed in jazz culture. We will make sense of and synthesize our experiences in this great city by composing a mixed-media storyline that illustrates how jazz influences/d quality-of-life in NOLA. This will be a whirlwind trip over Spring Break 2025 and an experience you will not want to miss!

Estimated Program Fee: $1,899

Not included in estimated cost: airfare, some public transportation, and some meals

Callout Dates: September 11 (5.30pm, HCRN 1145) and October 9 (5.30pm, HCRN 1145)

Apply Here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b0ZEZowsbK9pBcy

FOOD SUSTAINABILITY AND CULTURE IN COLOMBIA

Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa Marta, Colombia

Program Dates: March 15–22, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Carina Olaru (Latino Cultural Center)

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits

Food—its access, significance, production, regionalism, and change over time—is a topic of study that has importance for understanding the complexities of a society and the socio-economic, political, and technological opportunities or challenges that the society faces. Colombia has ethnic and regional diversity as well as a history of immigration and conflict, which influence its rich culture and cuisine. Join us in Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa Marta to explore food sustainability and culture in Colombia!

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

This program is offered in partnership with Purdue’s Latino Cultural Center (LCC).

Estimated Program Fee: $1,471

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: November 13 (1.00pm, LCC) and November 15 (5.00pm, LCC)

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1850

GLOBAL PROBLEMS, GLOBAL SOLUTIONS: PROBLEM-SOLVING ACROSS BORDERS IN BRAZIL

Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Program Dates: March 14–23, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Nathan Swanson

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits (with 2 additional HONR credits earned in the Fall Solutions Lab Global course)

Designing and implementing solutions to major global challenges requires interdisciplinary thinking, collaboration skills, and intercultural competencies. These are all put into practice in the “Solutions Lab Global” class in which Purdue students work virtually with students at Unisinos in Brazil to develop solutions to a global problem. This Spring Break study abroad program flows from this course, enriching the virtual experience with a visit to Unisinos. Participants will learn about student life in Brazil, interact with Brazilian peers, visit sights in Porto Alegre, explore the local region, and be immersed in Brazilian culture through homestays and program activities. The program concludes with a visit to Rio de Janeiro, a city rich in history, culture, and nature.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Note: Priority for enrollment in this program will be given to students enrolled in Solutions Lab Global: Brazil & Peru (HONR 22200) during the Fall 2024 semester.

Estimated Program Fee: $515

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1736 

GLOBAL PROBLEMS, GLOBAL SOLUTIONS: PROBLEM-SOLVING ACROSS BORDERS IN ITALY

Padova and Venice, Italy

Program Dates: March 14–23, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Natasha Duncan

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits (with 2 additional HONR credits earned in the concurrent Solutions Lab Global course)

Designing and implementing solutions to major global challenges requires interdisciplinary thinking, collaboration skills, and intercultural competencies. These are all put into practice in the “Solutions Lab Global” class in which Purdue students work virtually with students at the University of Padova in Italy to develop solutions to a global problem. This Spring Break study abroad program flows from this course, enriching the virtual experience with a visit to Padova. Participants will learn about student life in Italy, interact with Italian peers, visit sights in Padova, explore the local region, and be immersed in Italian culture through dormitory stays and program activities. The program concludes with a visit to nearby Venice, one of the world’s most unique cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Note: Priority for enrollment in this program will be given to students enrolled in Solutions Lab Global: Italy (HONR 22200) during the Spring 2025 semester.

Estimated Program Fee: $790

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1788

BRAZIL, THE AMAZON, AND CLIMATE CHANGE

São Paulo, Sorocaba, and Manaus, Brazil

Program Dates: May 18–31, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Anish Vanaik

Number of Credits: 3 HONR credits (+1 HONR pre-departure credit in Spring 2025)

Brazil has a long record of global leadership on the climate crisis—and a long list of vulnerabilities to climate change. In this Maymester program, students will witness both of these first-hand as they travel to Brazil to study the causes and consequences of climate change and to explore solutions. During the first week, students will study under Dr. Danilo Aguiar and faculty at the Federal University of São Carlos (State of São Paulo) through lectures, field trips, and workshops, and experience cultural immersion through homestays. They will learn alongside Brazilian peers, expanding their perspectives on the climate crisis and offering opportunities for intercultural exchange. During the second week, the program moves to Manaus in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest to explore the role of rainforests in climate change mitigation. This Amazon adventure includes three days of camping and exploration in the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Students will prepare for this Maymester experience through an online course the preceding spring semester focused on theories and concepts related to climate change.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Estimated Program Fee: $2,900

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 24 (5.00pm, HCRN 1145) and October 16 (5.00pm, HCRN 1145)

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1966

ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE IN BELIZE

Belize City, San Ignacio, and Ambergris Caye, Belize

Program Dates: May 12–22, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Kristen Bellisario

Number of Credits: 3 HONR credits

During this Maymester program, we will travel to Belize to study wildlife corridors and jaguar conservation efforts through visits to breathtaking natural sites and landscapes. Over the course of ten days, we will visit Belize City, New River Lagoon, the Lamanai Ruins, San Ignacio, Shipstern Nature Reserve, Ambergris Caye, and even cross the border to Tikal, Guatemala. Program activities include a jungle survival tour, snorkeling and cave tubing, zip lining through a jungle, meetings with conservation managers, observing jaguars and other animals at the Belize Zoo, and activities focused on Mayan culture.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Science, Technology, and Society (STS).

Estimated Program Fee: $4,000

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 17 (5.00pm, HCRN 1145) and October 15 (7.00pm, HCRN 1145)

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1965

EXPERIENCING HEALTH IN RURAL KENYA - THE WANDERING BOILER!

Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa, Kenya

Program Dates: May 11 – June 21, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Eddy Odari

Number of Credits: 9 HONR credits

In this summer program, participants will study healthcare challenges in rural Kenya, including the high prevalence of diseases, the economic costs of health services, and infrastructural barriers to healthcare delivery. They will observe how scientific innovations have improved health outcomes and been adapted to the country's health conditions, while also considering ways that socio-cultural dynamics drive health-seeking behavior. Over the course of six weeks, the program will travel throughout Kenya's diverse natural and cultural landscapes, from the capital city of Nairobi, to Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria in the country's west, to the coastal city of Mombasa along the Indian Ocean. Program activities will include visits to hospitals and community-based health organizations, interactions with Kenyan students, and tours of natural and cultural sites.

The courses completed through this program fulfill the university core requirement for Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

While open to all students, priority enrollment for this program will be given to those in Nursing, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Engineering.

Estimated Program Fee: $5,000

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 24 (12.30pm, Zoom) and October 17 (5.30pm, HCRS 1054), or view the callout on-demand here!

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1964

ITALIAN DISCOVERIES

Paderno del Grappa, Florence, Milan, and Venice, Italy

Program Dates: May 11–31, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Dino Felluga

Number of Credits: 6 HONR credits

“Italian Discoveries” combines two, 3-credit HONR courses, “Da Vinci’s Renaissance” (an investigation of interdisciplinary genius and of the scientific and artistic revolutions of the Italian Renaissance) and “Our Postmodern Present” (an exploration of the scientific and artistic revolutions of our present) into a seamless whole. The 3-week program also brings together the best of Italy, from the rich countryside of northern Italy’s Veneto region to the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany—from famous cities to small villages known only to locals. We begin in Paderno del Grappa, a small town in the foothills of the Italian Alps, where we will complete a large portion of our in-class instruction. We then move to Florence, the epicenter of Renaissance art and science, from which we will enjoy a day trip to the most perfectly preserved medieval jewel of Italy, San Gimignano. A two-day break gives students an option to explore other areas of Italy on their own. After an overnight in postmodern Milan, we will spend our last week in Venice. With the watery city as our textbook, we will discover why this unforgettable city is unique in all the world!

Estimated Program Fee: $6,000

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 16th (12.00pm, Zoom) and December 2 (6.00pm, HCRN 1143). You can view the September callout recording here!

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1535

GLOBAL PROBLEMS, GLOBAL SOLUTIONS: PROBLEM-SOLVING ACROSS BORDERS IN TAIWAN

Tainan and Taipei, Taiwan

Program Dates: May 11–24, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Leighton Buntain

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits (with 2 additional HONR credits earned in the Spring Solutions Lab Global course)

Designing and implementing solutions to major global challenges requires interdisciplinary thinking, collaboration skills, and intercultural competencies. These are all put into practice in the “Solutions Lab Global” class in which Purdue students work virtually with students at National Taiwan University and National Cheng Kung University to develop solutions to a global problem. This Maymester study abroad program flows from this course, enriching the virtual experience with visits to partner campuses in Taiwan. Participants will learn about Taiwanese student life, interact with Taiwanese peers, visit sights in Tainan and Taipei, traverse through the island nation, and experience immersion in Taiwanese culture through program activities.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Note: Priority for enrollment in this program will be given to students enrolled in Solutions Lab Global: Taiwan (HONR 22200) during the Spring 2025 semester.

Estimated Program Fee: $1,099

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1960

MODERN ODYSSEY TO ANCIENT GREECE

Athens, Nafplio, Delphi, and Chania, Greece

Program Dates: May 11-30, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Katie Jarriel

Number of Credits: 6 HONR credits

Come explore ancient Greece! In this three-week Maymester course, you will climb the steps of the Parthenon, wander the labyrinth at Knossos, and visit the oracle of Delphi. By learning about the history and mythology of ancient place you will examine how we reconstruct the past and how heritage issues affect the present day. You will experiment will the digital reconstruction of ancient sites. You will also discuss the legacy of ancient Greece, questioning why people have tended to privilege certain aspects of history that ignore the identities of marginalized people, such as women, slaves, and foreigners. At the end of this course, you will understand why heritage is important in modern politics and cultural identity.

One of the courses completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Estimated Program Fee: $6,300

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 18 (5.30pm, HCRN 1145) and October 14 (5.00pm, HCRN 1143), or view the callout on-demand here!

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1595

ON THE HERITAGE TRAIL IN PERU: TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE CULTURE

Lima, Cusco, and Macchu Picchu, Peru

Program Dates: May 11–25, 2025

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Ashima Krisha

Number of Credits: 3 HONR credits

Join us on the Inca heritage trail! In this Maymester course, we will explore tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Peru and the challenges of preserving cultural sites and traditions. We begin in the historic city of Lima, Peru's capital and largest city, located on the Pacific coast. We then travel into the Andes Mountains to focus our studies on Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire, and Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through visits to cultural sites, workshops at our partner university, and participation in hands-on activities, we will learn about Incan, Quechuan, and Peruvian cultures, building traditions, and ways of life.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Estimated Program Fee: $2,700

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 20 (6.30pm, HCRN 1143) and October 18 (6.30pm, HCRN 1143)or view the callout on-demand here!

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1961

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES: INNOVATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN MEDELLÍN

JMHC Signature Program for Rising Juniors and Seniors

Medellín, Colombia

Program Dates: May 17 – June 29, 2025

Program Contact: Dr. Nathan Swanson or Dr. Natasha Duncan

Number of Credits: 9 HONR credits

The John Martinson Honors College Signature Program for Rising Juniors and Seniors brings together global learning, cultural immersion, and professional and leadership development, all in one unique study away program! During this six-week summer experience, students will gain hands-on professional experience each day through placement with a local business or organization in Medellín, while also studying innovation and sustainability with faculty at Universidad EAFIT. Intercultural activities and Spanish language instruction will enhance the Colombian cultural experience and provide participants the tools to build an international professional network. Program activities will also include community visits, industry tours, and field trips in the local area. In addition to earning HONR credits for the program courses, students will fulfill UCC core requirements, and students who have not yet completed their scholarly project can enroll in HONR 22100 (Exploring Place: Internship) during the Fall 2025 semester to complete that requirement of the JMHC curriculum.

The courses completed through this program fulfill the university core requirements for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS) and Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Program Requirements: To participate in this program, students must be rising third- or fourth-year students in the John Martinson Honors College, they must be in good standing, and they must have completed 12 or more honors credits by the start of the program.

Estimated Program Fee: $1,500

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 17 (5.00pm, STEAM Lab), September 25 (5.30pm, HCRN 1145), and October 22 (5.00pm, HCRN 1145). You can view the September 25 callout here: Part I, Part II, Q&A.

Learn More and Apply: https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/flyer.cfm?flyer=1962