Faculty-Led Travel Courses
Faculty-led short term travel courses are an exciting, enriching way to study abroad. You will meet with faculty throughout the semester to prepare for travel through readings, lectures and coursework; then you'll travel during a semester break or during the summer to enhance your learning.
Summer 2022
Iceland, Physical Therapy
PTH 799: CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Open to: Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Faculty: Erin Hartigan, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D., LAT, ATC
Application Deadline: April 1, 2022
Iceland Course Description
This summer course will provide you with knowledge regarding cultural competency and sensitivity through classroom learning and clinical observations in Iceland. You will begin by researching and examining some of the differences between the US and Iceland in the areas of PT education, health care, and culture while on campus in Portland. You will travel to Iceland for 9 days in late August to visit the University of Iceland, attend a classroom learning activity with the PT students from Iceland, a PT clinic, ÖSSUR Motion Lab, and other clinical and cultural opportunities as available. These experiences will provide you with knowledge about PT education and practice in Iceland.
Fall 2022
Belize
BIO 422/422L: Coral Biology
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Jeri Fox, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2022
Belize Course Description
This fall semester course presents an in-depth study of the biology and taxonomy of corals while examining the ecology of the coral reef system and the future of reefs, concluding with a field lab. You will snorkel in the beautiful lagoons of Ambergris Caye, the Hol Chan and Bacalar Chico Marine Reserves. The group is housed in a field station on the northern tip of Ambergris Caye with access to the reef ecosystem, mangroves, seagrass beds, and jungle.
Cuba
CIT 420: Global Citizenship Seminar: Cuba
Fall semester course with travel in January.
- Faculty: Sam McReynolds, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2022
Cuba Course Description
Travel to Cuba to explore an exciting new era of U.S.-Cuba relations, while simultaneously fulfilling the Citizenship graduation requirement. During the course, you will learn about Cuban history, society and culture with a focus on the impacts of the Cuban Revolution. Highlights of your time in Cuba include engaging in cultural learning through discussions with Cuban people, visiting an organic farming cooperative and a local elementary school, and sharing in popular Cuban pastimes of music, dance, and dominoes.
Spring 2023
Costa Rica
BIO 257/257L OR BIO 455/455L: TROPICAL FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Greg Zogg, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
Costa Rica Course Description
This is a spring semester course that includes travel to Costa Rica for nine days over spring break, where you will explore the amazing biodiversity of both tropical rainforests and so-called dry forests. You will conduct fieldwork examining how human-induced changes in the environment — such as defaunation, invasive species, and global warming — impact these two forest types. In addition, you will have the opportunity to zipline through the forest canopy, spend some time at the beach, and simply enjoy the sights and sounds of tropical forests. Upon return to the U.S., you will spend the rest of the semester drawing upon your travel experience to help identify strategies to protect these natural systems from further human disturbance. Note that this course can be taken at either the 200- or 400-level, with students enrolling at the 400 level having greater expectations in terms of both depth of study and workload, and serving as research team leaders on group projects before, during, and after travel to Costa Rica.
Iceland, Arctic Adventure Tourism
ORM 2XX: Arctic Adventure Tourism
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Aimee Vlachos, M.S., Ed.D., CPRP
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
Arctic Adventure Tourism Info Description
Tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in the world, thus the demand for proficient workers is increasing continuously. In its 2017 Global Economic Impact Report, the World Travel and Tourism Council reported that, "Over the next 10 years, the sector will support 23% of new jobs created." This course will focus on Arctic marketing, management and communication relevant to the adventure tourism industry. You will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to design and produce sustainable nature-and culture based experiences. The program's values are based on respect and concern for nature and culture. This course has a travel component which includes travel to Iceland in May where you will participate in activities related to Arctic adventure tourism and meet with local business owners in this field.
Iceland, Natural History
MAR 436/436L: NATURAL HISTORY OF ICELAND
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Markus Frederich, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
Natural History of Iceland Course Description
This spring semester course provides an in-depth study of the unique ecosystems for marine and terrestrial organisms, as well as the unique human history and culture of Iceland. You will explore geological features like volcanic craters and geysers, hike in the fault line between the American and the European plate and learn about adaptations to a subarctic climate. You will also explore the Viking history of Iceland, which is tightly related to the discovery of America, and Iceland's sustainable energy production.
Ireland
EDU 242: COMPARATIVE EDUCATION IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Lane Clarke, Ed.D.
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
Ireland Course Description
This spring semester course will investigate comparative education theories and philosophy to examine education in different contexts. By investigating contexts locally, nationally and globally, you will extend your knowledge about society and how this is enacted through the institution of its schools. In Ireland, students will visit schools and learn about Irish culture by touring castles, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands. Other highlights may include the Ring of Kerry and the areas of Galway, Cork, Kinsale, and Killarney.
Panama
BIO 459/459L: CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY OF A CARIBBEAN ISLAND
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Jeri Fox, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
Panama Course Description
This spring semester course covers topics in history and geology of the Caribbean with an emphasis on the island of Boca del Toros in Panama. You will study topics such as terrestrial, island, and marine biodiversity, and the ecology and evolution of populations.
Spain
ENG/SPA 3XX: Spanish Golden Age Literature and Culture
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Steven Byrd, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
Spain Course Description
This spring semester multidisciplinary travel course aims to enhance your literary and cultural knowledge of Spain and Golden Age Spanish Literature (in English translation), including reading a portion of Cervantes' masterpiece, Don Quixote. The course satisfies an ADV requirement of the core curriculum, and counts toward the Latin American Studies Minor, Global Studies Major, and English Major. Travel to Spain will be over spring break and includes visiting cosmopolitan Madrid, and the historic cities of Toledo and Salamanca.
Summer 2023
Spain
PHP 405: GLOBAL HEALTH
- Open to: Doctor of Pharmacy students, fourth year
- Faculty: James Krebs, Pharm.D.
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
Spain Course Description
This Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) provides you with a Spanish language and cultural immersion experience, as well as two courses at the University of Granada. Through lectures and experiential learning, you will examine the Spanish healthcare system within the European and U.S. context and reflect upon the changing healthcare landscape in the U.S. and abroad.
