Faculty Directed Study Abroad Programs
Through these programs, small groups of students led by professors of The University of Montana explore the cultures, languages, literatures, and history of other countries, in most cases earning credits toward their degrees at The University of Montana as they do so. Cost and length of these programs vary, depending on location and time of year. Students apply directly to the faculty member leading the program.
AUSTRALIA
Earn 6 credits while studying the relationship between societies and the environment during this 4 week course in northern Queensland. Attend lectures at James Cook University, explore the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback and tropical rainforests, and learn about Aboriginal culture and communities. Contact: Dr. Kari Gunderson, kari.gunderson@umontana.edu or www.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad . Next Program: May 13–June 9, 2012. More details...
AUSTRIA and GERMANY
Following a three-week orientation period at UM, students spend two weeks exploring various historical and cultural sites in Berlin, Germany. Students also visit nearby Potsdam, and the University of Potsdam, which is UM's Partner University in Germany. For the final two months students will stay in Vienna, Austria and enroll in a total of 5 courses (16 UM credits). Contact: Marton Marko, Marton.Marko@umontana.edu, 243-5418. Next Program: Spring 2011. More details...
BELIZE
The UM archaeological field school in Belize focuses on Cahal Pech, an important Mayan ceremonial center located on an imposing hill overlooking the western Belize Valley. Beyond hands-on filed training, the class will feature pre-trip planning/background lectures, evening lectures on Mayan archaeology, and field trips to other major Mayan sites. Contact: John Douglas, john.douglas@umontana.edu, 243-4246, and Linda Brown, linda1.brown@umontana.edu. Next Program: January 2012. More details...
CHILEAN PATAGONIA
This is an archaeological field course. Students will participate in archaeological survey and excavation in the Rio Ibanez Valley of Chilean Patagonia. Contact: Dr. Anna M. Prentiss, Anthropology, anna.prentiss@umontana.edu, 243-6152. Next Program: January 2012. More details...
COSTA RICA
Earn 15 credits spending one month in Costa Rica and one month in Montana with Aerie's Semester in Wilderness Medicine program. This is a unique program in the wilderness medicine filed, providing students with industry-leading certifications earned through unparalleled experiential learning opportunities. Contact: David McEvoy, david@aeriemed.com, 542-9972; and Adrienne Corti, adrienne.corti@umontana.edu, 243-4206. Next Program: January-April 2012. More details...
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
This 2-week 3-credit wintersession course will deepen your understanding of Hispanic culture by exploring issues of education and poverty and completing a series of service learning projects in the southwestern region of the Dominican Republic. Contact: Dr. Lisa Blank, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, lisa.blank@umontana.edu, 243-5304. Next Program: January 2012. More details...
FIJI
Over 10 days, students will receive 3 credits while examining the conservation and management of Fiji's unique marine, coastal, and mountain/rainforest regions. Students will attend lectures at the University of the South Pacific and experience Fiji’s natural beauty and traditional culture. Contact: Dr. Keith Bosak, College of Forestry and Conservation, keith.bosak@umontana.edu or www.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad/ . Next Program: June 10-19, 2012. More details...
INDIAN HIMALAYA
Students will earn 6 UM credits trekking through the remote parts of the Himalaya, living in a remote mountain village, meeting with development officials, sustainability activists and stakeholders in the region, and learning through readings, discussions and field experience. Contact: Dr. Keith Bosak, College of Forestry and Conservation, keith.bosak@umontana.edu; or www.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad/. Next Program: May 14-June 6, 2012. More details...
IRELAND
Spend winter session in Ireland and earn 1 credit exploring the history, literature, religion, politics, and other elements of Irish culture. We will visit ancient ruins, medieval monasteries, beautiful sea cliffs, and historical sites. There is a 2-credit mandatory preparatory course offered during Fall semester. Contact: Laure Pengelly Drake, laure.pengellydrake@umontana.edu , 243-6140. Next Program: Wintersession, January 2012. More details...
IRELAND
This 3-credit program investigates how brain function is related to literary creativity by examining 20th century Anglo-Irish writers and analyzing language and literature using literary theory, evolutionary biology, and cognitive neuroscience. Students experience Irish culture and the arts using Dublin’s abundant resources. Contact: Dr. Christopher Comer, Christopher.comer@umontana.edu , 243-2632. Next Program: May 24 -June 9, 2012. Apply Now! More details...
ITALY
Earn UM credit over winter session while touring Rome and Florence. No previous language experience required, but an orientation class during the fall semester prior to departure is mandatory. For more information contact: Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at:mcll@mso.umt.edu, 243-2401. Next program January 2013
ITALY
This intensive, study abroad session with mix art history (Medieval through Renaissance Florentine history) with workshops in land-scape painting, photography, and figure drawing through fieldwork in the Tuscan region and ongoing, lectures, and guided tours to sites of great historical and artistic significance. Sites include the world famous Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Galleries, the Sistine Chapel, and the Pantheon. Additionally, seaside outings and cooking classes are available. Students from all areas of the university are encouraged to apply. There are no prerequisites for this course. Contact: Matt Hamon, Fine Art,
matt.hamon@mso.umt.edu, 243-6074. June-July 2011.
More details...
MEXICO
This 6-week program provides students with the opportunity to study Spanish and aspects of contemporary Mexico while living in Mexico. Students take 3 academic courses, live with Mexican families, and go on a number of field trips related to the themes of sustainable development and immigration. The program is in its 12th consecutive year. Pátzcuaro, known for its colonial architecture, large indigenous population and culture, and its natural beauty, has a population about the size of Missoula, located approximately 200 miles to the west of Mexico City. Students interested in the program who have safety concerns regarding travel in Mexico should speak with the director. Visit www.cas.umt.edu/mexico/default.html or contact: Dr. Paul Haber, Political Science, paul.haber@mso.umt.edu, 243-4862. Next Program: Late May-Early July 2012. More details...
NEW ZEALAND
This 3.5-week, 6 credit program will examine issues such as natural environments, sustainable business development, international trade, and local New Zealand and Australian culture. Take classes from prestigious universities in Christchurch and embark on a multi-week study tour of New Zealand’s magnificent South Island. Contact: Dr. Jerry Furniss, School of Business Administration,jerry.furniss@business.umt.edu. Next Program: December 2011-January 2012. More details...
NICARAGUA and EL SALVADOR
EEarn 3 credits (graduate or undergraduate) during this 2-week program in Nicaragua and El Salvador. Students will focus on the environment, human rights, and efforts towards sustainable development in Central America. No previous language required. Contact: Dr. Dan Spencer,
daniel.spencer@umontana.edu or 243-6111. Next Program: Next Program: May-June 2013?
More details...
RUSSIA
This intensive 3-week program will be based in Moscow, Russia. The program is primarily a cultural tour and students will be staying in hostels. Cultural programs may include: a few days in Petersburg and a trip to Tolstoy's estate or to the ancient Golden Ring cities; in addition, students will attend ballets, plays, art museums, and monasteries. No knowledge of Russian is necessary. All participants will be required to register for and attend a 1-credit orientation course the semester previous to the trip. Contact: Ona Renner-Fahey, ona.renner@mso.umt.edu, 243-4602. Next Program: Either Summer Session 2012 or Wintersession January 2013. More details...
SPAIN
A spring semester program in Salamanca that alternates with the semester in Oaxaca, Mexico. Students will take an orientation class and leave for Spain at the beginning of Spring Semester. Students stay in private homes and attend language and culture classes at the host institute, which are taught by native Spanish instructors. Participants register for a full course load as well as participate in scheduled trips and activities. Three semesters of university-level Spanish required. Contact: Professor Eduardo Chirinos, email: eduardo.chirinos@mso.umt.edu, 243-5879. Next Program: Spring 2011.
VIETNAM
This 4-week, 6 credit program will explore climate change in Vietnam and study the river deltas, beaches, and city life. Spend your winter break in areas of incredible ecological diversity gaining experiences of lifetime. Lively floating markets, quiet riverside villages, national parks, experiential research sites, and the big city of Saigon: the Mekong Delta is the captivating backdrop for this field-based program on climate change issues as well as the culture, ecology, economy, and history of Vietnam. Classes include: Society, Economy, and Environment of the Mekong Delta, and Effects and Mitigation of Climate Change in the Mekong Delta. Contact: Ms. Nicky Phear, College of Forestry and Conservation, nicky.phear@cfc.umt.edu, or Deena Mansour, Mansfield Center, deena.mansour@mso.umt.edu. Next Program: Dec 27 2011-Jan 19 2012. More details...
Other Faculty Directed Programs
From year to year, other programs may be made available that are usually one-time-only experiences. Students should check with the International Programs to see what may be offered during a given academic year.
Aerie’s Semester in Wilderness Medicine is a unique program in the wilderness medicine field, providing students with industry-leading certifications earned through unparalleled experiential learning opportunities. Our rigorous academic program employs realistic scenarios, interactive lectures, as well as clinical observations in a variety of settings, including an urban American emergency room and advanced life support ambulance service, as well as in a developing-world rural health clinic to ensure a well-rounded, challenging and rewarding educational experience. Students register for the following classes: HHP 395 Emergency Medical Technician and Incident Management; PTRM 395 Wilderness Rescue and Survival Skills; PTRM 395 Wilderness Medicine and Risk Management.