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.
Travel Courses
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Azores
SLM 290: Latin American Sport & Gender
Spring 2025
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., CPRP
- Application Deadline:
In this spring semester course, you will travel in late May to São Miguel Island in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. In addition to hiking and exploring the natural wonders of São Miguel’s geothermal pools, colorful lakes, and verdant forest sanctuaries, you will tour sports facilities and meet female athletes who play basketball, surf, and contribute to the culture of sport on the archipelago. Other activities include meeting with local university students and learning about the agricultural and culinary traditions of this vibrant Atlantic island group.
![Azores Travel Course](/sites/default/files/2024-08/global-education-azorez_1400x600_08222024.jpg)
Belize
BIO 422/422L: CORAL BIOLOGY
Fall 2024
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Jeri L. Fox, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
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.
![Snorkeling in Belize with Sea Turtle](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/belize.jpg?itok=dm-GYJfC)
![Snorkeling in Belize 2019](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/belize-2019-web-1.jpg?itok=4ABZQS2G)
![Sunset in Belize](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/belize-2019-web-3.jpg?itok=aFsfr1fB)
![Snorkeling in Belize on the Surface Under a Rainbow](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/belize-2019-web-4.jpg?itok=c3UrJf_Z)
![Ambergris Caye Belize](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/belize-2019-web-5.jpg?itok=QlqzczhV)
Costa Rica
BIO 257/257L or BIO 457/457L: TROPICAL FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
Spring 2025
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Gregory P. Zogg, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
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. Students 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, students 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., students will spend the rest of the semester drawing upon their travel experience to help them 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.
Guatemala, Occupational Therapy
OTR 699: OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE IN GUATEMALA
Spring 2025
- Open to: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Faculty: Elizabeth Cyr, PT, D.P.T., DHSc, PCS
- Application Deadline:
In this collaborative experience, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Masters of Occupational Therapy students will spend one week in Guatemala learning more about PT and OT practice around the world visiting a wide variety of organizations providing service to people with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Students will have the opportunity to meet local therapists and care providers to discuss disability issues. All participants will observe therapies, interview care recipients, assist with wheelchair distribution, and participate in many other professionally enriching opportunities. Several cultural activities will be included. Evening debrief sessions and group meals add to the learning and the richness of the experience. Preparatory class meetings will take place and will include assigned readings, discussions, and planning.
![OT Guatemala Travel Course](/sites/default/files/2024-06/ot-guatemala-travel-course.jpg)
Guatemala, Physical Therapy
PTH 699: REHABILITATION IN GUATEMALA
Spring 2025
- Open to: Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Faculty: Elizabeth Cyr, PT, D.P.T., DHSc, PCS
- Application Deadline:
In this collaborative experience, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Masters of Occupational Therapy students will spend one week in Guatemala learning more about PT and OT practice around the world visiting a wide variety of organizations providing service to people with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Students will have the opportunity to meet local therapists and care providers to discuss disability issues. All participants will observe therapies, interview care recipients, assist with wheelchair distribution, and participate in many other professionally enriching opportunities. Several cultural activities will be included. Evening debrief sessions and group meals add to the learning and the richness of the experience. Preparatory class meetings will take place and will include assigned readings, discussions, and planning.
![PT Guatemala Travel Course](/sites/default/files/2024-06/pt-guatemala-travel-course.jpg)
Iceland
MAR 436/436L: NATURAL HISTORY OF ICELAND
Spring 2025
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Markus Frederich, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
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.
![Iceland Natural History Travel Course](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-07/Iceland-Natural-History.jpg?h=790be497&itok=-p3w9sDp)
![On a boat in Iceland Travel Course](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/iceland-spring-2018-73.jpg?itok=sb2ApxCk)
![Students near a waterfall in Iceland during Travel Course](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/iceland-spring-2018-32.jpg?itok=At-z93t2)
![Students petting horses while on travel course to Iceland](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/iceland-spring-2018-28.jpg?itok=EVgZm9uM)
![Geothermal Pools in Iceland](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/iceland-spring-2018-44.jpg?itok=0HonOlV7)
Ireland
EDU 242/242L: COMPARATIVE EDUCATION IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT
Spring 2025
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Lane Whitney Clarke, Ed.D.
- Application Deadline:
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, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, and the EPIC Museum. Other highlights include the Ring of Kerry, Galway, Kinsale, Killarney and Dublin.
![Cliffs of Moher in Ireland](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-07/ireland-cliffs-of-moher.jpg?h=73c22c0b&itok=PyQNem4t)
![É«ÏãÊÓƵ Students overlooking Kylemoor Abbey in Ireland](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/ireland-spring-2018-9.jpg?itok=zBU4j5nb)
![A student sits overlooking Ireland cliffs on the ocean](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2022-12/Ireland-Spring-2018-3-gallery.jpg?h=2528558c&itok=uN5tnmsl)
![A group of U N E students sit on a stone wall at a rolling hillside cemetery in Ireland](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/Lane-Clarke-photo4_0.jpg?itok=XGzMQJUP)
![Kylemore Abbey](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/ireland-spring-2018-6.jpg?itok=jmsL5hDk)
Ireland, Physical Therapy
PTH 799: PHYSICAL THERAPY GLOBAL HEALTH IRELAND
Summer 2024
- Open to: Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Faculty: Scott Stackhouse, PT, Ph.D. | Dana Tischler, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
This summer course will provide you with knowledge regarding cultural competency and sensitivity through classroom learning and clinical observations in Ireland. You will begin on campus in Portland by researching and examining some of the differences between the U.S. and Ireland in the areas of PT education, health care, and culture. You will then travel to Ireland for clinical visits and meetings with PT leaders. You will also travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
![Ireland, Physical Therapy Travel Course](/sites/default/files/2024-01/ireland-pt.jpg)
Italy, Occupational Therapy
OTR 699: OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE IN ITALY
Spring 2025
- Open to: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Faculty: Jennifer G. Audette, PT, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
In this collaborative experience, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Masters of Occupational Therapy students will spend two weeks in Italy visiting unique programs serving people with physical disabilities and discussing disability issues with Italian health professionals, clients, and students. Visits will occur in Siena, Bologna, and Biella, and Milan. Cultural experiences will be included in all aspects of the course. Preparatory class meetings will take place and will include assigned readings, discussions, and planning.
![Occupational Therapy Italy Travel Course](/sites/default/files/2024-06/ot-italy-travel-course.jpg)
Italy, Physical Therapy
PTH 799: PT AND REHABILITATION IN ITALY
Spring 2025
- Open to: Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Faculty: Jennifer G. Audette, PT, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
In this collaborative experience, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Masters of Occupational Therapy students will spend two weeks in Italy visiting unique programs serving people with physical disabilities and discussing disability issues with Italian health professionals, clients, and students. Visits will occur in Siena, Bologna, and Biella, and Milan. Cultural experiences will be included in all aspects of the course. Preparatory class meetings will take place and will include assigned readings, discussions, and planning.
![Italy PT Travel Course](/sites/default/files/2024-06/pt-italy-travel-course.jpg)
Panama
BIO 459/459L: CONSERVATION & ECOLOGY OF A CARIBBEAN ISLAND
Spring 2025
- Open to: Undergraduate Students
- Faculty: Jeri L. Fox, Ph.D.
- Application Deadline:
This spring semester course covers topics in history and geology of the Caribbean with an emphasis on the island of Bocas del Toro in Panama. You will study topics such as terrestrial, island, and marine biodiversity, and the ecology and evolution of populations. You will explore both Panama City and the Bocas del Toro, where you will stay at a field station for the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation. Highlights include a boat tour of the Panama Canal, a cacao farm tour, and snorkeling and hiking in Bocas del Toro.
![Panama Travel Course](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-07/panama-travel-course.jpg?h=73c22c0b&itok=bhihzOHS)
![Tree Climibing in the Rainforest Panama](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/panama-spring-2018-12.jpg?itok=bq4uQ2G1)
![É«ÏãÊÓƵ students near Panama Sign](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/panama-spring-2018-9.jpg?itok=iXYtcWCs)
![Snorkeling in Panama 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/panama-spring-2018-14.jpg?itok=Xd5K1ykD)
Spain, Pharmacy (APPE)
PHP 405: Global Health
Summer 2025
- Open to: Doctor of Pharmacy Fourth Year
- Faculty: Kerry Martin
- Application Deadline:
This Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience 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.
![Spain, Pharmacy Travel Course Banner](/sites/default/files/2024-02/spain-pharm-appe.jpg)