Global Learning Opportunities

The study abroad course offers students an interdisciplinary exploration of the rich cultural, spiritual, and natural landscapes of Bali. Through an immersive experience, students will engage with Bali’s sustainable living practices, holistic wellness traditions, and deep spiritual connections that permeate every aspect of life on the island. The course is designed to foster a comprehensive understanding of how nature, mental health, child development, and spirituality are intricately linked. Students will participate in activities such as visits to an eco-school, Indigenous community engagement, yoga, mindfulness mediation and snorkeling, all of which will deepen their appreciation of the interconnectedness between people, nature, and the environment. This course invites students from all disciplines to reflect on their personal growth and apply the insights gained to their respective fields. The academic objective is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to integrate these practices into their professional and personal lives, enhancing their ability to contribute to global well-being.

*0.5 General Elective Credit 
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Nikki Martyn, Chair, Early Childhood Studies

Participating in a study tour of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands,  students will learn about what the environmental and psychological sciences can tell us about human responses to the climate crisis. Partnering with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, students will experience Cumbayá in Quito and San Cristobal Island in the Galápagos Archipelago, engaging with scientists, conservationists, and local communities actively seeking climate solutions. Students receive an experiential learning experience, combining lectures from USFQ professors, expert-guided tours, insights from Parque Nacional Galápagos Island rangers, and community-engaged activities. These experiences will enable students to better understand the impact of human behaviors and institutions on Earth's resource preservation. Ultimately, the course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to navigate an uncertain future and contribute to sustainability.

*0.5 General Elective Credit
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Adam Sandford, Associate Head of Psychology

This course offers an exploration of social media marketing and branded content, using the TV series "Welcome to Wrexham" and Manchester City F.C.’s innovative social media, as primary case studies. Through a study tour in the United Kingdom, students will immerse themselves in the culture of soccer and gain insight into how video and social media are used to engage audiences and create global brands. The study tour will start in London, where students will take in the city’s unique culture and sights, and visit professional organizations to learn about social media strategies. Afterwards, students will travel to Manchester where they will visit the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City Football Club, to learn about the team and its unique approach to branded content. The study tour culminates in a visit to the town of Wrexham in Wales, in which students will learn about the real-life impact of “Welcome to Wrexham”, learning how a TV series can transform a team and the community that supports it. By the end of the course, students from all disciplines will have developed key insights into how content creation and a well-planned strategy can engage an audience and increase brand recognition.  No prior experience in digital marketing or content creation is needed to succeed in the course. 

*0.5 General Elective Credit 
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Marc Tavares, Associate Head, Media Studies

This course invites students to explore the archaeological, historical, social, cultural, and political origins of Western Civilization by exploring two key cities: Athens in Greece and Rome in Italy. Students will explore ancient Western philosophic, political, and aesthetic notions of democracy, government, justice, truth, and beauty that support the idea of Western civilization. This will be combined with observing the archaeology, engineering, and construction of ancient societies. Sites explored will include the Acropolis, Roman Agora, Aristotle’s Lyceum, and Plato’s Academy in Athens as well as the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican in Rome. Students will learn about the interconnectedness of the ancient civilizations and gain a broader historical lens through which to think about contemporary notions of democracy, governance, justice, beauty, social inequality, and city life. The course is interdisciplinary in spirit, drawing from the classics, archaeology, architecture, art history, urban planning and political philosophy.

*0.5 General Elective Credit
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Nitin Deckha, Interim Associate Head of Liberal Studies

In this course, students will participate in a study tour of the Big Island of Hawai’i (USA), exploring the interplay between sport, fitness, health, Indigenous Hawaiian culture, and sustainable farming practices in Hawaiian society. Students will explore the Big Island and become immersed in sports science, outdoor physical activity and exercise, sport and culture, and sustainable nutrition (fishing and farming). This course will consist of assigned readings and group discussions, through which students will be expected to acquire an understanding of the subject matter associated with the study tour. The study tour will consist of an intensive applied academic curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that will inform a research paper completed upon completion of the course. Key outcomes of the course and study tour will include outdoor physical activity and exercise, Indigenous cultural experiences, as well as insights on sustainable nutrition.

*0.5 General Elective Credit
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Robert Gumieniak, Interim Associate Head of Kinesiology

This course offers students a unique opportunity to explore the multifaceted tapestry of Japan’s society and economy. Students will participate in a study tour involving visits to Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Nara.  Through a combination of classroom instruction, field trips, and cultural experiences, students will gain a deep understanding of Japan's rich history, its dynamic economy, and unique culture.  Engaging with leading Japanese corporations and interacting with academic and industry professionals, students gain invaluable firsthand insights into distinct management styles, business practices and consumer behavior.  By exploring Japan's rich history and traditions, the course will help students gain a deeper understanding of the country’s core values that have enabled it to succeed on the global economic stage.  The course and study tour will broaden students' global perspectives, enhance their intercultural competence, and equip them with the skills essential for success in today's interconnected world.

*0.5 General Elective Credit or 0.5 Business Restricted Elective Credit
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Directors: Farkhanda Shamim, Interim Associate Head, Business & Adam Sandford, Associate Head, Psychology

This course explores the history and rich culture of Morocco, the westernmost country of the Maghreb in North Africa. Students will learn about the evolution of Indigenous, religious, and governmental relations in Morocco and compare these to the Canadian situation.  Students will visit Casablanca, Fes, Merzouga, and Marrakech, where they will have the opportunity to visit the Hassan II Mosque, enjoy traditional Moroccan meals, visit a Berber family encamped in the Sahara Desert, ride a camel, and explore high-walled kasbahs. Students will also explore the labyrinthine alleys of Morocco’s world heritage sites and take in the breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains. The course and study tour aims to provide a holistic educational experience, blending academic learning with personal development, intercultural competence, and community engagement.

*0.5 General Elective Credit
Projected Dates: TBA 
Course Director: Gary Galbraith, (Incoming) Chair, Justice Studies

This course features a study tour of the two countries that make up the Iberian peninsula, Portugal and Spain, where students will visit Lisbon and the Basque country. The tour will enable students to explore, compare, and critically analyze the economic models prevalent in the Greater Lisbon Area of Portugal and the Basque Country of Spain. In Lisbon, participants will engage with the Nova School of Business and Economics, where students will learn about entrepreneurship and innovation. In the Basque Country, the tour includes visits to Mondragon University’s Business Administration and Management program and the Mondragon Corporation, a globally recognized federation of worker cooperatives. Beyond academic and industry interactions, participants will have the opportunity to visit historical landmarks and cultural attractions, making for an immersive experience shaped by the regions' rich histories, geographic contexts, and societal influences.
 
*0.5 General Elective Credit or 0.5 Business Restricted Elective Credit
 Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Beverley Fretz, Interim Associate Head, Business

In this study abroad course, students visit several old cities in the United Kingdom, famous for their connections to stories about ghosts, legends, and gruesome events. Students will have an opportunity to witness settings of “haunted heritage” up close and first-hand. This course explores the connections between local history, narrative, and commercial tourism in regions of Scotland and England known for their rich supernatural ancestry. Through visits to London, Edinburgh, and York, students will experience the touristic performance of the paranormal. Key concepts from various disciplines will come to life, including tourist and consumer studies, folklore, media studies, performance and theatre, and narratology.

*0.5 General Elective Credit
Projected Dates: TBA
Course Director: Greg Kelley, Instructor, Media Studies