Skip to main content

Explore the world through the liberal arts

13 off-campus programs committed to academic excellence and cultural immersion

  • I entered the London & Florence program for its art classes, but I left with not only new skills in the arts but with inspiration, new insights of the world, the true understanding of "liberal arts," and the ability to connect with different people.

    —HaYe Jun, St. Olaf College

  • The Oak Ridge Science Semester was an amazing and extremely rewarding experience for me. I had the opportunity to participate in world-class research with some of the top researchers in the country.

    —Lee Pedzisa, Colorado College

  • The Newberry Seminar was an excellent preparation for making the transition from undergraduate to graduate scholar. Even now, as a PhD candidate in history, I am using skills learned at the Newberry Library to facilitate research at national repositories.

    —Katrina Jagodinsky, Lawrence University

Begin your adventure

Request more information

Apply now »

Find a program that’s right for you

China

  • Shanghai: Perspectives on Contemporary China

    Shanghai, China

    Live in a rapidly expanding global city, take a variety of courses in the social sciences and humanities, and conduct research on a topic related to Chinese society.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (early September–mid-December)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Host institution: East China Normal University (ECNU)
    • Living arrangements: ECNU residence halls for international students
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for the required Chinese language courses, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 15, 2018

All countries

Costa Rica

  • Costa Rica: Community Engagement in Public Health, Education, & the Environment

    San José, Costa Rica

    Explore Costa Rica’s beautiful environment, study Spanish language and culture, and volunteer at community sites related to your academic interests.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (late August–early December)
    • Host institution: Optional dual enrollment at the University of Costa Rica (UCR)
    • Living arrangements: Homestays with Costa Rican host families
    • Language requirement: Second-year college-level coursework in Spanish. All courses are taught in Spanish.
    • Application deadline: This program is no longer accepting applications.

  • Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities

    San José & field sites, Costa Rica

    Draw from Costa Rica’s rich resources to conduct your own independent field research project in the natural or social sciences, and travel to diverse ecological sites throughout the region.

    • Schedule: Spring semester (late January–late May), spring quarter/trimester (early April–mid-June)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Homestays with Costa Rican host families
    • Language requirement: Second-year college-level coursework in Spanish. All courses are taught in Spanish.
    • Application deadline: Spring semester 2019 deadline – October 15, 2019; Spring quarter/trimester 2019 deadline – November 15, 2018

    Learn more Apply now »

All countries

India

  • India: Social Entrepreneurship & Development

    Pune & Jaipur, India

    Intern with a community organization that aligns with your academic interests and learn about Indian culture by living with a host family.

    • Schedule: Spring semester or winter quarter/trimester
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Homestay with an Indian host family
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for the required Hindi language study, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Winter/spring 2019 deadline – October 15, 2018

All countries

Italy

  • Florence: Arts, Humanities, & Culture

    Florence, Italy

    Immerse yourself in the art and history of the Renaissance by taking courses and workshops that are integrated with famous historical sites in Italy.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (late August-early December)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Homestay with an Italian host family
    • Language requirement: Except for the required Italian language course, all courses are taught in English.
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 15, 2018

  • London & Florence: Arts in Context

    London, U.K. & Florence, Italy

    Explore art, architecture, theatre, and literature in two of the world’s most exciting cultural capitals, and explore other regions in Europe during a week of independent travel.

    • Schedule: 15- to 18-week spring semester or 10-week winter quarter/trimester
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Students live together in residential flats in London and in homestays with Italian host families in Florence.
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for the required Italian language course, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Winter/spring 2019 deadline – October 15, 2018

All countries

Japan

  • Japan Study: Cultural Immersion with Classes at Waseda University in Tokyo

    Tokyo, Japan

    Become an international citizen as you explore Japanese culture, build your language skills, and experience daily life in the traditional yet dynamic city of Tokyo. 

    • Schedule: Fall/spring semesters or full academic year
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Host institution: Waseda University
    • Living arrangements: Homestay with a Japanese host family
    • Language requirement: One semester/term, or the equivalent, of Japanese language study prior to departure. Except for the required Japanese language course, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: 2018-19 academic year deadline – January 3, 2018

    Learn more Apply now »

All countries

Jordan

  • Jordan: Middle East & Arabic Language Studies

    Amman, Jordan

    Gain greater perspective on the Middle East through independent research and elective courses related to politics, economics, international relations, religion, and culture.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (late August–mid-December)
    • Who can apply: Only students from the 14 colleges in the ACM consortium
    • Host institution: AMIDEAST, a leading non-profit organization in international education
    • Living arrangements: Homestay with a Jordanian host family
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for the required Arabic language courses, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 15, 2018

All countries

The Netherlands

  • Amsterdam: Sciences, Global Health, & Interdisciplinary Studies at VU Amsterdam

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Fall into the daily rhythm of Dutch culture! Take elective courses across a wide range of disciplines and research a topic in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (late August–early December)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Host institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
    • Living arrangements: Student apartments near the VU Amsterdam campus
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for the optional Dutch language course, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 1, 2018

All countries

Tanzania

  • Tanzania: Ecology & Human Origins

    Arusha, Tanzania

    Venture to eastern Africa, where you'll explore some of the world’s most famous ecological and paleoanthropological sites and complete a special project in your area of interest.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (late August–mid-December)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Host institution: MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (TCDC) and Nyayo Discovery
    • Living arrangements: Homestay with a Tanzanian host family
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for Swahili language courses, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 15, 2018

All countries

United Kingdom

  • London & Florence: Arts in Context

    London, U.K. & Florence, Italy

    Explore art, architecture, theatre, and literature in two of the world’s most exciting cultural capitals, and explore other regions in Europe during a week of independent travel.

    • Schedule: 15- to 18-week spring semester or 10-week winter quarter/trimester
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Students live together in residential flats in London and in homestays with Italian host families in Florence.
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites. Except for the required Italian language course, all classes are conducted in English.
    • Application deadline: Winter/spring 2019 deadline – October 15, 2018

All countries

United States

  • Chicago Program: Arts, Entrepreneurship, & Social Justice

    Chicago, Illinois

    Gain hands-on internship experience in a major US city! Enroll in seminar-style courses, explore different neighborhoods, and conduct independent research within an urban context.

    • Schedule: Fall semester
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Suite-style student housing
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 15, 2018

  • Newberry Seminar: Research in the Humanities

    Chicago, Illinois

    Take an in-depth seminar with other student scholars at a renowned humanities library. Gain access to rare primary resources as you complete a substantial independent research project.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (early September–mid-December)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Living arrangements: Furnished apartments in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 15, 2018

    Learn more Apply now »

  • Oak Ridge Science Semester

    Oak Ridge, Tennessee

    Conduct real-world laboratory science research in your area of academic interest and work alongside career scientists at the prestigious Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

    • Schedule: Fall semester (late August–mid-December)
    • Who can apply: Undergraduates from any four-year US college or university
    • Host institution: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Living arrangements: Apartment complex in the Oak Ridge area
    • Language requirement: No prerequisites
    • Application deadline: Fall 2018 deadline – March 1, 2018

    Learn more Apply now »

All countries

Begin your adventure

Request more information

Apply now »     Meet us on your campus »

Off-Campus Study

Facebook »

Associated Colleges of the Midwest

Twitter »

Instagram »