Study Abroad
The College of Sciences and Mathematics is proud to support study abroad opportunities that help students expand their academic, professional and cultural perspectives.
Through study abroad, students can explore topics such as health care delivery, global science, cultural differences and community needs through coursework, readings, site visits and hands-on experiences.
These programs give students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in new settings while developing a broader understanding of the world and their future fields.
Location: South Africa
Timeframe: December
Students in this program explore the South African health care system and compare it with health care delivery in the United States. Through guest lectures, tours of health care facilities and shadowing opportunities with clinicians in Cape Town, students gain firsthand insight into global health, patient care and cultural approaches to medicine.
The program also includes cultural excursions that introduce students to the history, landscape and communities of South Africa. Planned experiences may include a full-day safari, penguin watching at Cape Point, a visit to the Robben Island Museum and more.
Location: Iceland
Timeframe: Spring Break
Students in this program visit Iceland, often described as one of the world’s most important settings for genetic research. The experience introduces students to the country’s unique role in advancing medical and genetic science.
Students will meet with faculty in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Iceland and learn about the history of genetic testing among native Icelanders. The program also includes exploration of deCODE genetics, a Reykjavik-based genetic sequencing company that has analyzed thousands of Icelandic genomes for more than 20 years to support medical and genetic research.
Location: England
Timeframe: May (every other year)
Students in this program explore more than 500 years of health care history and examine how medicine has developed into the modern health care system we know today.
The experience includes access to private medical museums that are typically available only to qualified practitioners and students enrolled in recognized medical courses. Students will also participate in medical-themed walking tours, guest lectures by medical professionals and tours of the medical schools at King’s College London and the University of Sheffield.
Through these experiences, students gain historical, cultural and professional context for the study and practice of medicine.
Location: Scotland
Timeframe: May, every other year
Students in this program explore the origins of health care and the ways medical history continues to shape modern medicine. Through access to medical museums, anatomy-focused learning experiences and historical sites, students gain a deeper understanding of the development of medical education and practice.
The program includes opportunities to participate in an anatomy workshop, learn about Scottish medical history at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Dundee medical schools, and explore Edinburgh through medicine-themed walking tours.
Students will also examine topics such as grave robbing in the 1800s and how the shortage of cadavers for medical schools contributed to unethical practices in the history of medical education.
Location: Spain/Morocco
Timeframe: June-July, every other year
Students in this program gain hands-on exposure to health care systems in Spain and Morocco through clinical shadowing, cultural immersion and travel experiences.
Participants spend at least 20 hours per week shadowing in a wide range of medical specialties in both public and private hospital and clinical settings. The program is open to students of all language abilities, though some Spanish language experience is helpful.
The experience includes one week of shadowing and travel in Morocco, excursions to locations such as Málaga and Casablanca, and a one- to two-day EMT bootcamp training. Students also participate in a homestay experience, living with local families for a deeper understanding of the culture, language and community.
Location: Italy
Timeframe: June-July, every other year
Students in this program explore the history, culture and modern practice of mathematics and technology in Greece. Through site visits, cultural experiences and academic activities, students examine the historical significance of math and technology while connecting those ideas to their continued influence today.
Featured experiences may include visits to the National Archaeological Museum, ancient Olympia, Katakolo’s Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, the Hellenic Mathematical Society, the Acropolis, Pythagorio, Samos Island and the Temple of Hera. The program also includes cultural activities such as a cooking class in a Greek tavern.
Students will complete at least 20 hours of shadowing each week across a range of medical disciplines in hospital and/or private clinical settings. The program is open to students of all language abilities.
Location: Greece
Timeframe: June-July, every other year
Students in this program explore the history, culture and modern practice of mathematics and technology in Greece. Through site visits, cultural experiences and academic activities, students examine the historical significance of math and technology while connecting those ideas to their continued influence today.
Featured experiences may include visits to the National Archaeological Museum, ancient Olympia, Katakolo’s Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, the Hellenic Mathematical Society, the Acropolis, Pythagorio, Samos Island and the Temple of Hera. The program also includes cultural activities such as a cooking class in a Greek tavern.
