Short Term Study Abroad Opportunities

(De)Constructing Community Development in Mexico (Housing Justice with Fundación Esperanza de Mexico), 1-3 variable credit
Dr Hudgins

The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." The challenges families face in Tijuana of finding stable and dignified housing are being addressed by Fundación Esperanza de Mexico (FEM), a Mexican non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on community development and empowered citizenship. This variable credit course immerses you in the complexities of community development in the borderlands, with a focus on empowering community members for lasting social change. The immersion also provides a personal lens through which to critically reflect on your own aspirations for social change and global citizenship.

(De)Constructing Community Development in Mexico (Migration Justice with Kino Border Initiative), 1-3 variable credit
Dr Hudgins

The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." While migration is more a natural phenomenon in response to social, economic, political, and environmental drivers than a ‘common problem,’ this describes the emergence of the Kino Border Initiative and its work with migrants in Nogales. This variable credit course immerses you in the complexities of migration in the borderlands, with a focus on making humane, just, workable migration between the US and Mexico a reality. The immersion also provides a personal lens through which to critically reflect on your own aspirations for social change and global citizenship.

Urban (Re) Development In Berlin and Amsterdam
Dr Woods

Germany and the Netherlands are fascinating places to explore urban development and neighborhood change, and there may be no better place to visit than the selected cities of Berlin and Amsterdam. During WW2, Berlin was severely destroyed, leading to one of the most fascinating questions any urban student or citizen could ask, "If we were able to start all over in building our cities, what would we do differently?" Facing this challenge over the last few decades, coupled with a divided Germany (and Berlin) into East and West, has caused Berlin to go through massive transformation, at a much later time than many other European cities. During this same timeframe, Amsterdam was also facing competing forces of transformation. Once a city destined to be clogged with personal cars, Amsterdam’s residents forced a dramatic shift toward being a city center on humans instead of automobiles through direct civic engagement, setting the path to be a cycling mecca ready for a greener future.

The London Eye
Dr Smith

This is a three-week study abroad immersion experience with London as the intellectual, cultural, and social justice site for classroom and excursion activities. Course content is intersectional and interdisciplinary in its approach, first, to themes centered on the roles that culture, race, gender, social relations, class stratification, sociopolitical issues, and more, have played in literature, history, art, scientific endeavors, imperialistic ventures, colonization, etc. and, second, to how various models of social justice advocacy have been enacted by the British across time. While some course content is drawn from readings, history, art, and activism from prior centuries, the primary focus of this course is on contemporary immigration and human trafficking issues in Britain, with particular focus on race, class, gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, cultural challenges, and more faced by victims of these practices.

Writers’ Workshop in Ireland
Dr McDowell

IRELAND! A place of incomparable beauty, with a deep, troubled past and some of the friendliest (and funniest) people you’re likely to meet. Since 1994, undergraduates from all majors have joined the Writers’ Workshop to explore the craft of creative travel writing and to experience Ireland, its people, and their culture for themselves. Ireland is a wonderfully rich place. Its history is full of invasions, migrations, and immigrations; its literature often features journeys, exiles, and considerations of home; and its people are great storytellers. We’ll learn from them. Everyone has stories to tell. See what yours might be.

The Unlikely Rise of India
Dr Rao

• With one of the youngest populations in the world and an increasingly wealthy middle class, India is a part of the world that every business student must understand. There is no better way to do that than visit the country with expert faculty, interact with Indian business executives and students, and experience the culture and diversity firsthand.
• India gives the opportunity to see how nearly 20% of the world actually lives and to understand the challenges facing a nation that is both technologically developed, but also deeply traditional and tied to a culture that spans 10,000 years.
• Compared to other countries or locations that have a similar Western culture as the United States, India offers the opportunity to experience a part of the world that is very different. Traveling with a group of your peers and two highly knowledgeable and experienced faculty members is a great way to experience and learn about a stunning part of the world. You will forever be changed