Faculty Directed Study Abroad Programs

Through these programs, small groups of students led by professors of The University of Montana explore specific topics while earning credits toward their degrees at The University of Montana. 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 human societies and the natural environment during this 4 week course in southern Queensland. Students will attend lectures at the University of Queensland, explore the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, tropical rainforests, and learn about Aboriginal culture and communities. RECM 345: Sustaining Human Communities and Natural Environments can count as a General Education requirement (Group X: Indigenous and Global Perspectives).  Contact:  visit ww.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad/Australia.html, Dr. Keith Bosak, keith.bosak@umontana.edu, 243-6062. Next Program: May-June 2013.  More details...

AUSTRIA

Six-week music study abroad program in Vienna, Austria, occurring every other year, consisting of a selection of offerings in music, art history, and performance. Walking tours to include Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Schoenberg and museum tours with concerts presented by the world’s most renowned performers. Contact: Maxine Ramey, maxine.ramey@umontana.edu, 243-4518. Next Program: May-June 2014. 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 2013. More details...

CANADA

Students will participate in archaeological excavations at the famous Bridge River housepit village. This ancient village was occupied for over 2000 years and provides a great opportunity for students to contribute to Pacific Northwest archaeology. By enrolling in the course students will learn the basics of archaeological field techniques. They will also develop a stronger appreciation for the relationships between research questions and field data collection procedures. Contact:  Dr. Anna Prentiss, anna.prentiss@umontana.edu, 243-6152.  Next Program:  mid-May-early July 2013.  More details...

CHILE

Students will be enrolled in the Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile. Their registration process will take place in Missoula and will be closely planned by the student in consultation with the Program Director to insure that all credits earned in Chile will count towards the student’s study and graduation plans. Participants do NOT need to be Spanish majors or minors. The University Mayor will provide four field trips in and around the Santiago area. Contact: Clary Loisel, clary.loisel@umontana.edu, 243-2150. Next Program: mid-January-late April 2013. 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, anna.prentiss@umontana.edu, 243-6152.  Next Program:  January 2013.  More details...

CHINA LAW

UM, Gonzaga University and University of South Dakota Law Schools are teaming up with the Law Schools at the China Youth University for Political Sciences (CYUPS) in Beijing, the Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) in Chongqing, and the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) in Shanghai to study Chinese law in a comparative context, allowing law students to study firsthand the Chinese economic, legal, and political systems. As part of their learning experience, students will visit important legal and political institutions in each Chinese city, including criminal and civil courts, pertinent Chinese national and provincial government agencies and private entity participants in China’s legal system. Contact: Andrew King-Ries, andrew.king-ries@umontana.edu, 243-2134. Next Program: late May-early July 2013.  More details...

CHINA SoBA

Earn three credits in China through the School of Business Administration. Prior to leaving China, students will have had two 4-hour weekend classes with Fengru Li to process assigned readings on Business negotiations. The remaining 37 required contact hours will be split between classes in China with the Chinese counterparts from CYU and GUFE and filed trips concerning international business activities. A total of 3-5 field trips will be planned. Contact: Fengru Li, fengru.li@gusiness.umt.edu, 243-2727. Next Program: May 13-29, 2013. 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 2013.  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, lisa.blank@umontana.edu, 243-5304.  Next Program:  January 2014.  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, keith.bosak@umontana.edu or www.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad/ .  Next Program: June 2013. More details...

GERMANY

Students earn two credits participating in a great learning experience about the German and European Economy at the presigious European Business School (EBS), visiting important business and historic sites.  Classes and assignments are held in March and April during Spring semester and travel takes place at the end of May.  Contact:  Nader Shooshtari, nader.shooshtari@business.umt.edu.  Next Program:  Spring-late May 2013.  More details...

GREECE

Travel throughout Greece studying the art, archaeology, and culture of Ancient Greece. Students will encounter ancient culture (from the Bronze Age to the Classical Age) through extensive visits including Minoan sites (Knossos, Phaistos, Chania), Mycenaean sites (Mycenae, Tiryns), and major sites of the classical period in Athens, Olympia, and Delphi. Class will be conducted in museums and archaeological sites. No knowledge of Greek is necessary. All participants will be required to register for and attend a 1-credit orientation course during the Fall semester. Contact: Matthew Semanoff, matthew.semanoff@umontana.edu, 243-5637. Next Program: Winter session 2013 More details...

INDIAN HIMALAYA

Students 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, keith.bosak@umontana.edu; or www.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad/.  Next Program: May-June 2013. 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: January 2014. 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 -June, 2013.  Apply Now!  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, paul.haber@mso.umt.edu, 243-4862.  Next Program: late May-early July 2013.  More details...

NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA

This program introduces students to alternative energy projects, carbon emissions trading, and the film/music industry. Students get a behind the scenes look at a tourism operation, sustainable communities and businesses, sustainable agricultural practices, managing sustainable tourism enterprises, international business, and marketing throughout New Zealand and Sydney, Australia. Contact: Dr. Jerry Furniss, jerry.furniss@business.umt.edu.  Next Program: December 2012-January 2013. More details...

NICARAGUA

Earn 3 credits (graduate or undergraduate) during this 2-week program in Nicaragua. 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...

PERU

The Peruvian Andes exploration course takes place in the high sierra region of Peru within the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountains) in Huascaran National Park.  The area provides bountiful educational opportunities in both the environmental and cultural arenas, pertaining to topics like water quantity and quality from both climate change and a prominent mining economy, eco-tourism as a means of generating income and protecting natural resources, cultural history and pride in a time of ‘modernization’, amongst others. Contact: visit www.cfc.umt.edu/studyabroad/Peru.html, Dr. Keith Bosak, keith.bosak@umontana.edu, 243-6062. Next Program: July-August 2013.  More details...

RUSSIA

This intensive 3-week program will be based in Moscow, with a few days in St. Petersburg. The program is primarily a cultural tour and students will be staying in hostels. Cultural programs may include: attendance at ballets, plays, concerts, 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: 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, eduardo.chirinos@mso.umt.edu, 243-5879. Next Program: Tentatively scheduled for Spring 2014.

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: Dan Spencer, daniel.spencer@umontana.edu, or Deena Mansour, deena.mansour@mso.umt.edu. Next Program: December 2012-January 2013. 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.