Follow Your Passion
Have you ever wanted to study medicine and healthcare in the Netherlands or go behind the scenes of the Smithsonian's many museums? What about exploring the economy of Cuba while visiting Havana or meeting your pen pal in Paris? There are many exciting opportunities available for study away through the University of South Carolina.
Study Away in a Way That Works for You
Short-term summer programs are a popular option, but our students are increasingly opting to study away for a semester, full year, or more. The Honors College sponsors a few USC faculty-led Maymester programs each year, with recent trips to Scotland, England, Cuba, France, Belize and The Netherlands.
Earn Credit
Our Honors College Beyond the Classroom requirement can be met by earning college
credit for a study abroad program. Some of our Honors exclusive programs even offer
the chance to complete additional Honors requirements and Carolina Core credits. A
few additional Honors College elective requirements can be met by studying abroad
for a semester or full year.
Secure Funding
Every student can benefit from studying away from campus and the Honors College will make
every effort to help you secure funding. There are several awards available for students
participating in a study abroad program. The Beyond Boundaries Award is a competitive
financial award of $2,000 or more to be used to help fund a Maymester or summer study
abroad experience. The Passport Travel Grant is available to Capstone Scholars, Honors
College students and Carolina/McNair/Provost/1801/Horseshoe Scholars who are studying
abroad during the summer months. Review more travel funding opportunities through
the university's Study Abroad Office.
Recent Courses
There are opportunities across disciplines to study off campus. Here are a few recent examples.
Culture and Identity in the African Diaspora
Brazil (Salvador de Bahia)
Taught by Kim Simmons
This course analyzed the emergence of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-American identities, communities and organizations in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Students also discussed the cultural construction of identities as it relates to issues of race, gender and class as well as the concepts of peoplehood, migration and defining social moments. Students gained an in-depth understanding of Afro-Brazlian culture as they interacted with guest speakers on music and dance, visited an Afro-Brazilian museum, toured the Condomble House and Candomble Market, and a enjoyed a day-long excursion to a Quilombo.
Food, Sustainability and Health-Comparison Between the U.S. and the Netherlands
The Netherlands (Multi-city)
Taught by Pearl Fernandes
This course provided students with an introduction to sustainable food production in the Netherlands and its impact on the country’s health. Students learned about slow food, the “farm to table” concept, and organic food production and how these ideas have made their way from the Netherlands to South Carolina. Students also received an in-depth cultural look at the Netherlands as they participated in lectures, visited organic farms, and toured historical sites and museums in both Amsterdam and Groningen.
The Literature of Scotland
Scotland (Edinburgh)
Taught by Anthony Jarrells
This course gave students the opportunity to immerse themselves into the rich literary heritage of Scotland. Students explored the works of Robert Burns, Irvine Welsh and J.K. Rowling as they traced the path of great literary tradition from the 18th century to the modern day. Students participated in lectures and discussions, visited important historical sites, and immersed themselves into the unique culture of Scotland.
Tracing the Holocaust in Eastern Europe
Poland and Germany
Taught by Ted Rosengarten
Tracing the Holocaust in Eastern Europe attracted students who wanted to explore their own identities and family histories and also those who have no personal connection, but rather an intellectual interest in studying the mass murder of Jews by the Nazi regime under the cover of World War II. Participation in this course gave students access to resources in the field such as the death camps and killing grounds in Poland and planning centers of the "Final Solution" in Germany. We visited major sites of memorialization in both countries. Students were able to understand the Holocaust as a unique event in the history of the Jewish people, and as part of a plan to impose a vision of human selection on all the lands of Europe and across the world.
Global Health in Belize
Belize (Belize City)
Taught by Pearl Fernandes
This program provided students with a global perspective of health care as they visited various health clinics and learned first-hand about the health care disparities among vulnerable populations. Students gained critical organization, communication and teamwork skills as well as improved cultural competency to prepare them for work in the medical and health fields.
Medical Care, History and Culture in the Netherlands
Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Taught by Pearl Fernandes
In this travel course, students compared and contrasted the public health system in the United States with that of the Netherlands. The course touched upon culturally sensitive issues such as euthanasia and home birth, as well as global issues such as elderly care and children's health.