Summer study abroad programs offer an ideal way to fulfill course requirements, improve language skills, discover a new area of interest or get a taste of studying abroad without making a long-term commitment. Furthermore, recent research suggests that short-term trips like summer study abroad programs can actually increase openness and sensitivity towards diversity.
Finding the appropriate program can be challenging. Review sites can be useful, but keep in mind that their rankings reflect only a handful of opinions and may not match up with what students experience during study abroad.
Many universities provide semester-long summer study abroad programs. Duke University’s new India Semester allows students to immerse themselves in both rural and urban life while exploring global issues like poverty, healthcare, and sustainable development. Wake Forest University’s Venice Semester takes place at Casa Artom, a historic site along the Grand Canal at the heart of Venice where courses in both English and Italian are offered and students attend Film Festival/Carnevale events as well as explore Italy.
Goshen College’s Study-Service Team (SST) provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to experience both culture and language immersion through living with local families in remote villages while working on service projects designed to benefit the community. For more information, visit their webpage.