Short Trip Abroad

Join Dr. Sandy Hamar on this 8-day service learning trip to Falmouth. There you will help teach school age children, and contribute to service projects on the Falmouth campus. While this is a volunteer-focused trip, you will experience Jamaican culture and partake in some tourist attractions.

Professor McMahon will lead students through Rome and Florence as students get to go exploring on tours and cultural experiences. Successful completion of this trip along with the related courses will make the student eligible to waive one general education elective.

Explore different regions of Costa Rica with trip lead Professor Yngve where students will have the chance to experience rainforests, volcanos, saunas and more. Students will get to try new cuisine and meet new people living in the communities they will be apart for the duration of their stay.

Treat your palate to the vibrant tradition of French food, from rustic fare to haute cuisine. Sample regional dishes in the French Riviera and Provence, and attend a chef’s demonstration in Lyon for some authentic inspiration for your own creations. Get a taste of Paris with visits to its most iconic structures before expanding your palette at a colorful city market and cooking lesson.

You'll live in the heart of Oxford, within walking distance to all important sites and take two to three courses, including tutorial or creative writing course with an Oxford Don (professor). Courses will be available in health professions, social sciences, humanities, education and science. There will be several excursions to London, plus to Windsor Castle, Blenheim Castle and Stratford-on-Avon.

Course lists subject to change (in the past, approximately 90 percent of courses have made enrollment). There may be a processing fee, as well.

Oxford Course List

Introduction to Irish History and Culture — Dublin Faculty

This course is taught through short talks and excursions throughout Dublin. It focuses on an overview of all things Irish, with an emphasis on its history, culture and geography.

Botanical Wonders of the Emerald Isle — Kyra Krakos (Maryville)

Human civilization is heavily impacted by the plants that are available to its people. Clothing, housing, furniture, music, art, medicine and food are all shaped by the available botanical world. This course is an examination of the relationship between human beings and the plant world. There is an emphasis on the role of botany in the past and present culture of Ireland. Topics include basic scientific botany such as morphology, reproduction, and evolution. We will also study economically important plant products such as peat, medicinal and wild plants. Additionally, explore how plants impact history, music, and culture. We will be using the book Ireland’s Generous Nature by Dr. Peter Wyse-Jackson, in addition to many hands-on field trips and activities.

Sustainability Expedition — Kyra Krakos

This education abroad centered course introduces students to the sustainability of ecosystems and human interactions in a broader context. The course includes travel to locations in Ireland including Belfast, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry. We will also explore locales that highlight the challenges of ecosystems that have been inhabited by human civilization for many eras. Students will gain an expanded perspective on the role of sustainability in communities, specifically concerning resources, land use and management. This course is part of the experiential coursework of the Sustainability concentration.

The Gift of Gab: Irish Songs, Lore and Literature — Jesse Kavadlo (Maryville)

According to folk tales, kissing the Blarney Stone endows the kisser with “the gift of the gab”—a special expressiveness with words. The legend is surely intertwined with the long tradition of Irish storytelling, in the form of ballads, songs, poems, and literature. In fact, Irishman James Joyce, who we will read, is generally regarded as the greatest writer of the 20th Century. And Ireland boasts four Nobel Prize winners in Literature. We will read and discuss Irish poetry, short stories, folk tales and songs in order to consider how Irish literature reflects Ireland—and how Ireland reflects Irish literature.

Women in 20th Century Ireland — Tracey Weis (Millersville)

This course investigates select historical experiences of Irish women, both native born and those living in the diaspora. We will begin with the Great Hunger that resulted in the death and emigration of millions of Irish between 1845-1852. Topics include emigration, education, work, nationalism, female republican activism as well as contemporary debates on contraception, abortion and same-sex marriage.

Exploring the Culture of Ireland — James Harf (Independent Study)

This 3-credit course allows students to prepare for and reflect upon group and individual excursions during their time in Ireland.Students will participate in several day-long excursions, including city-wide excursions in Dublin. Additionally, students will select other sites, activities, events, and programs to experience. In total, students will select 15 excursions prior to departure for Dublin. Students may change a handful of sites/activities after arrival abroad. To begin the process of selecting sites and activities, search for top tourist, historical, cultural sites and activities in Dublin and surrounding areas. Then peruse the various lists and read the descriptions of each site/activity. In 30 minutes you will have an abundance of ideas that will form the basis of your initial list of 15 sites and activities. These latter 15 locations could represent a variety of student interests and would be simply used by the student to fulfill the total number of elective credits toward graduation; or may be tied closely to a student’s general education requirements; or may be tied to a student’s major/minor.

In the latter two cases, the student should also seek prior approval of the list of 15 sites from his/her academic advisor. The selected sites in these cases will relate to the specific discipline(s) of the general education area or the major/minor program. The student will write two short papers for each excursion. In the “before excursion” paper, the student will describe the reason for the choice and what he/she expects to find. It is due prior to arrival in Dublin. In the “after excursion” paper, the student will reflect on his/her experience. The “after excursion” paper must be accompanied by proof that you visited the location so described. It may be an admission ticket receipt, a digital camera photo or some other piece of evidence.

The program begins with a four-day excursion to Amalfi Coast, Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii, island of Capri and ends with an optional three-day end-of-trip excursion to Rome. There will be excursions throughout Florence, to Venice and to the medieval city of Siena. You'll live in the heart of Florence, within walking distance to all important sites, and take two or three courses in art-related, social science, humanities, science and education fields.

Florence Course List

Florence and its Contributions to Italian Life — Florence Faculty

Taught by a local faculty member, this course focuses on the history and political and social culture of Florence.

History of Italians and Their Food — Bob Cunningham (Maryville)

Art, architecture and history are often the markers of a country’s development. The epic history of Italy can also be told through the flavors and character of its cities. For centuries, Italy's cities have been magnets for everything that makes for great eating: ingredients, talent, money and power. We will experience this in the food we eat and through artifacts. Specifically, we will examine the Etruscans, the Romans, the Renaissance, the Baroque, the Fascists and the contemporary. We will see how taste, creativity and civic pride blended with princely arrogance, political violence and dark intrigue. We will discover how this recipe led to magnificent palaces, breathtaking cathedrals and the world’s favorite cuisine. We will follow the Arabic origins of pasta. We will seek out the medieval recipes that reveal Italy's long love affair with exotic spices. Food demonstrates Italy’s class struggles from Renaissance wedding banquets to thin soups that drove millions to the New World. Modern Italy has evolved to a center of sustainable agriculture. Italians live much closer to their sources of food than we do in the United States. The markets are beautiful in their celebration of the locally grown produce, regional cheeses and cured meats. We will cook and visit restaurants of traditional cuisine. In the museums, we will see the visual record of each era. We will visit farmland and vineyards that still feed Italy. This course will be documented in a journal or blog of pictures and reflections on the historical and epicurean experiences. A research paper will be completed after we return.

Business and Culture in Italy – A View from the Streets — Karen Tabak (Maryville)

Italy's history — complete with murder, mystery, monopoly and the mafia — impact business in Italy today. We will explore a wide variety of businesses including the healthcare industry, tourism industry, wine industry, cheese industry and much more. We plan to meet with representatives of the city of Florence to discuss the impact on current events, from Brexit to the refugee crisis on the city.

Comparative Healthcare Systems (United States and Italy) — Charles Gulas and Ashlyn Cunningham (Maryville)

This course will focus on a comparison of the healthcare systems in the United States and Italy. It will be team-taught by a physical therapy professor and an occupational therapy professor.

Comparative Healthcare Systems (United States and Italy) — Charles Gulas and Ashlyn Cunningham (Maryville)

This course will focus on a comparison of the healthcare systems in the United States and Italy. It will be team-taught by a physical therapy professor and an occupational therapy professor.

Science, Magic and Medicine in Renaissance Florence — Lisa Lillie (Maryville)

You'll live in the heart of the world's most cosmopolitan city, close to all important sites and be able to take business, art, architecture and humanities courses.

London Course List

Globalization: A View from London — Felix Kwan (Maryville)

A study of how international economic and socio-cultural linkages have made the nations in the world so tightly integrated. London, a leading global city, is the perfect venue for experiencing and learning about globalization —its good and bad effects. Learn who gains and who loses and the hopes and challenges that globalization brings.

Business Practicum — London Faculty

Work in teams on a problem for a real firm. Students will undertake a research project for a London-based client with interests which reflect the students’ field of study. Projects vary. You might conduct field research into a marketing problem or create a fundraising project for a major charity. The team often brings a fresh perspective to management issues. The project culminates in a presentation of research findings and recommendations to the client.

British Life and Culture — London Faculty

Through guest lectures and field trips, students will survey British culture. Study the various institutions and historical sites and perspectives which contribute to the ‘British way of life.' This course will unravel the complex economic, social and political issues which have created modern Britain.

Discovering London: Architecture and Design — Darlene Davison

London is home to some of the most striking examples of modern architecture along with many historically important structures. Learn how London’s new innovative architectural styles are integrated with their past. The importance of sustainability in London’s architecture and how it’s implemented will be examined. Students will journey down the Thames looking at iconic landmarks that make London so architecturally diverse. Visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in its post-Olympic form. See Westfield Stratford City, Europe’s largest urban retail center. We’ll visit King’s Cross area, Europe’s largest city centre regeneration plan. This is an opportunity to explore London’s rich industrial past and ambitious plans for the future. In Bath, a World Heritage Site, we’ll see one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture at the Royal Crescent. We'll explore the Roman-built baths. Day trips to Cambridge and Oxford will be part of our explorations.

Professional Photo/Video Media Campaign — Scott Angus (Maryville)

For advanced photography/design/communications students.

Nutrition and Exercise Management in England — Victor Kiser (Maryville)

The course examines body mass regulation, food, digestion, metabolism and intervention strategies such as diet and exercise. Students learn assessment and prescription principles and techniques. The course partners with the British organizations Guru Performance Institute, the International Society of Sports Nutrition, and lab facilities at Middlesex University. Students will also visit both professional and semi-professional sporting organizations.

Exploring the Culture of London & England — (independent study)

This course allows students to prepare for and reflect upon a wide range of excursions during their program in London. Students participate in excursions such as Stonehenge and Bath, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court, and Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon. Additionally, students will select 15 individual excursions approved by the program’s head professor at least one month prior to departure. These latter 15 locations:

Could represent student interests and would be used to fulfill the total number of elective credits toward graduation; or

May be tied to a student’s major/minor.

Seek approval from your academic advisor if the course is to be used for general education or major/minor academic program. The selected sites in these cases will relate to the specific discipline(s) of the general education area or the major/minor program. The student will write two short papers for each excursion. A “before excursion” paper will describe the reason for the choice and what the student expects to find. The 15 “before excursion” papers are due prior to arrival in London. An “after excursion” paper allows the student to reflect on his/her experience. The 15 “after excursion” papers are due one month following the end of the London portion of the program. This allows you expanded time beyond your time in London to complete the work.