Honors Study Abroad

The Honors Program partners with the Office of International Studies and Programs to offer short-term, faculty-led, study abroad experiences using the interdisciplinary City as Text model. Through the application of the Honors Learning Framework, students from a variety of majors investigate the destination from multiple perspectives as they prepare to explore the city firsthand.

Students experience the culture of the destination through an immersive exploration of major attractions and off the beaten path places. Participants make sense of their experiences through interactions with local guides and instructors, as well as through planned and spontaneous conversations with faculty and peers.

This transformational experience offers students a deeper understanding of the global community, while also strengthening the community of Honors students and staff who participate.

Information Meetings for 2025 Trips:

• Tuesday, April 9, 2024; 5 - 6 pm in the Honors Program Building
• Monday, April 15, 2024; 7 - 8 pm in the Honors Program Building
• Additional meetings will take place early in the Fall 2024 semester

2025 Spring Break: Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

Program components:

• Mandatory Pre-Trip meetings in Spring 2025. Thursdays, 6 - 8 pm in the Honors Program Building
  • January 30, February 6, February 13, February 20, February 27, March 6
• Travel over Spring Break: Saturday, March 8 - Sunday, March 16, 2025 (9 days) 
• Class options:
  Students will choose one of the following classes associated with this trip. Both classes require attendance at the pre-trip meetings as well as assignments before, during, and after travel. Students are encouraged to consult with their Honors Advisor regarding which option would be most beneficial.
  
  • Spring 2025 Honors Section: IDS 121a14
    • Class will meet in person prior to Spring Break and then will be online, asynchronous after Spring Break
    • General Education - Language in the Humanities
    • AMALI
  • HON 299
    • Class will meet in person prior to Spring Break and then will be online, asynchronous after Spring Break
    • 1 - 3 credit hours
      • 1 hour = 1 assignment post trip
      • 2 hours = 2 assignments post trip
      • 3 hours = 3 assignments post trip

Highlights:

• Quito, Ecuador: Walking tour; excursion to the equatorial line; Otavalo Market (indigenous goods); waterfall
• Galapagos Islands: view wild tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, birds; Charles Darwin research center; snorkeling.

The application should be submitted by the following deadlines:

• Priority: October 14, 2024
• Final: November 1, 2024

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2025 Summer: South Africa

Program components:

• Mandatory Pre-Trip meetings in Spring 2025. Thursdays, 6 - 8 pm in the Honors Program Building
  • March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24
• Travel: Monday, May 12 - Thursday, May 22, 2025 (11 days)  
• Class options:
  Students will choose one of the following classes associated with this trip. Both classes require attendance at the pre-trip meetings as well as assignments before, during, and after travel. Students are encouraged to consult with their Honors Advisor regarding which option would be most beneficial.
  • Summer 2025 Honors Section: IDS 121a13
    • Online, asynchronous
    • General Education - Language in the Humanities
    • AMALI
  • HON 299
    • Online, asynchronous
    • 1 - 3 credit hours
      • 1 hour = 1 assignment post trip
      • 2 hours = 2 assignments post trip
      • 3 hours = 3 assignments post trip

Highlights:

• Guided tour of Johannesburg; visit the former home of Winnie and Nelson Mandela; Apartheid Museum
• Cradle of Humankind; Sterkfontein Caves
• 2.5 days in Kruger National Park with a safari and bush walk
• Guided Tour of Cape Town; prison where Nelson Mandela was held; market; Penguin Colony; botanical garden

The application should be submitted by the following deadlines:

• • Priority: November 1, 2024
  • Final: January 15, 2025

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2024: Ireland, London, and Scotland

Program components:

• Mandatory Pre-Trip meetings in Spring 2024. Thursdays, 6 - 8 pm in the Honors Program Building
  • March 21, March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25
• Travel: May 21 - June 1, 2024
• Summer Honors Section: IDS 121a72 (online, asynchronous; General Education - Language in the Humanities)

Highlights:

• Start in Dublin, Ireland, with several days exploring the city.
• A day trip into Northern Ireland to see the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Fly to London, England, to explore the city and Windsor Castle.
• Train ride to Edinburgh, Scotland, where we will see the city sites and take a trip into the Highlands.

Past Locations

• 2023: Ireland

• 2020: Barcelona

• 2019: Cuba

• 2018: Panama

• 2017: Merida, Mexico

• 2015: Peru

• 2015: Germany

• 2014: Florence