Instructor: Multiple sections/instructors

Class Meetings: Asynchronous Online

HONR credits: 1 or 2

“Exploring Place” is an examination of the cultural, social, and historical dynamics that influence communities and relationships of a site. Blending independent study and distance learning, in this experiential learning course, the student and the instructor work together to design an individualized, in-depth study of the place in which the student is located. This study will be attentive to the social, cultural, political, economic, and other forces that have shaped this place historically and today, while also focusing on community life and the relationships between residents, institutions, organizations, and others. Exploring Place offers students the opportunity to better understand the people and places around them, expand their worldviews, and increase their self-awareness as they engage within these spaces and understand their place in them.

This course meets the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Chicago, Illinois

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Muiris MacGiollabhui

Number of credits: 1 HONR credit

This fall break course will bring students back to the nineteenth century in Chicago at a time of steam engines, robber-barons, and railway strikes. In Chicago, we will explore the lives of laborers, who were often migrants newly arrived in the United States, as they navigated the crushing economic inequality of the Gilded Age. We will explore the rise of labor unions and radical agitators who faced off with men like Rockefeller and Carnegie. This is a three-day, two-night trip back in time.

There is an additional fee for this course, estimated at $690, which includes transportation, lodging, and some meals.

Instructor: Multiple sections/instructors

Class Meetings: Asynchronous Online

HONR credits: 1 or 2

“Exploring Place” is an examination of the cultural, social, and historical dynamics that influence communities and relationships of a site. Blending independent study and distance learning, in this experiential learning course, the student and the instructor work together to design an individualized, in-depth study of the place in which the student is located. This study will be attentive to the social, cultural, political, economic, and other forces that have shaped this place historically and today, while also focusing on community life and the relationships between residents, institutions, organizations, and others. Exploring Place offers students the opportunity to better understand the people and places around them, expand their worldviews, and increase their self-awareness as they engage within these spaces and understand their place in them.

This course meets the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Dingle, Ireland

Program Dates: March 13–21, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Muiris MacGiollabhui

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits

Have you ever wondered what has inspired such intrigue about a small island on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean? This study away class will bring the island of Ireland, past and present, to life for students. Whether walking the same paths taken by James Joyce’s characters in Dubliners or witnessing the social phenomena that inspired Sally Rooney’s Normal People, students will be immersed in the culture and identity of Ireland. This class will dive into the history of the Republic of Ireland and ask a pertinent question: What does it mean to be Irish? Over nine days, students will visit the four corners of Ireland, learning the history of Ireland, its colonial past, and also envisaging the future of Ireland.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Estimated Program Fee: $2,700

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 17 (6.00pm, Zoom) and October 1 (6.00pm, Zoom)

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Panama City and Colon Free Trade Zone, Panama

Program Dates: March 13–20, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Felisa Higgins

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits + 1 HONR credit for asynchronous pre-departure course

This study away program invites students to explore how global systems of trade, politics, and culture intersect in Panama, one of the world’s most important gateways. Supply chain management has emerged as a defining element of competitiveness and geopolitical influence, and Panama, bridging the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Panama Canal, provides a unique vantage point for examining these dynamics. Through visits to the Canal, government agencies, and multinational companies, students will see firsthand how global logistics networks operate and how they shape economic and social life. By linking business, history, politics, and culture, this program highlights Panama’s unique role as a global hub while fostering intercultural understanding.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Estimated Program Fee: $2,200

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 30 (5.00pm, LEES 1145) and October 27 (5.00pm, LEES 1145)

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Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Program Dates: March 13–21, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Nathan Swanson

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits

Designing and implementing solutions to major global challenges requires interdisciplinary thinking, collaboration skills, and intercultural competencies. Participants in this program put each of these into practice through an exchange experience with peers from Unisinos University, located in Porto Alegre and São Leopoldo, Brazil. In November 2026, students enrolled in this study away program will help host students from Unisinos during a week-long visit to Purdue. They will attend workshop sessions led by their visiting peers related to a contemporary global challenge; they will accompany their Brazilian peers to campus events and locations; and they will engage in cross-cultural learning through unstructured activities. During our Spring Break program in Brazil, participants will learn about student life in Porto Alegre and São Leopoldo, interact with Brazilian peers inside and outside the classroom, explore the city and local region, and be immersed in Brazilian culture through homestays and program activities. The program concludes with a visit to Rio de Janeiro, a city rich in history, culture, and nature.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Estimated Program Fee: $750

Not included in estimated cost: airfare, visa, and some meals

Callout Dates: September 22 (5.00pm, HCRS 1076/STEAM Lab) and October 19 (5.00pm, HCRS 1054)

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New Orleans, Louisiana

Program Dates: March 13–20, 2027

Faculty Program Leaders: Dr. Jason Ware

Number of Credits: 2 HONR credits

“Jazz happened in America...” In this program we will investigate the social, economic, and intellectual conditions that influenced the inception, growth, and dissemination of jazz, and the extent to which it contributed to a better quality-of-life in the city of New Orleans. During this place-based investigation, we will access oral histories, photos, and scores within Tulane’s Hogan Jazz Archives to get a sense of how the unique demographics and geography of New Orleans enabled and nurtured the development of its musical culture and creative place-making. Our time in the archives will lay a foundation for understanding black (Creole/Latina/o) sub-cultures that developed in the South in response to oppressive life circumstances, and that directly influenced jazz as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Program activities will include guided tours, live music, local food stops, and visits to parks and neighborhoods where we will be fully immersed in jazz culture. We will make sense of and synthesize our experiences in this great city by composing a mixed-media storyline that illustrates how jazz influences/d quality-of-life in NOLA. This will be a whirlwind trip over Spring Break 2027 and an experience you will not want to miss!

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Estimated Program Fee: $1,850

Not included in estimated cost: airfare, some public transportation, and some meals

Callout Dates: September 17 (5.00pm, HCRS 1054) and October 21 (5.00pm, HCRS 1076/STEAM Lab)

Apply now for Jazz in NOLA!

Madrid, Spain

Program Dates: May 10–14, 2027 (online); May 16–30, 2027 (Spain)

Faculty Program Leaders: Dr. Silvia Mitchell

Number of Credits: 6 HONR credits

With a high concentration of some of the most iconic masterpieces of western art, architectural landmarks, and historic buildings, this Maymester program aims to introduce students to the history, urban development, and cultural significance of the city of Madrid transformed by the ruling dynasty of Spain—the Spanish Habsburgs—from a medieval fortress into the court and capital of the first global empire. With a historical and cultural legacy made possible by the Spanish Habsburgs' power, building program, and collecting, the course has been organized under the premise of using the city as a classroom. Students will recreate what 17th century madrileños experienced as residents of the court and capital city, where they would go to buy bread, where they gathered to drink chocolate (a new drink that came from the New World), where they attended bull fights (a favorite pastime), and how they saw their kings and queens.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Estimated Program Fee: $5,700

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 22 (6.00pm, LEES 1143) and October 20 (6.00pm, HCRS 1076/STEAM Lab)

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Taipei, Hsinchu, and Tainan, Taiwan

Program Dates: May 16–29, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. I-Fan Lin

Number of Credits: 3 HONR credits

Taiwan is a global center for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced research, smart mobility, and technology entrepreneurship. In this immersive Maymester course, students will investigate how engineering decisions are shaped by culture, geography, resource constraints, supply-chain pressures, and social needs. Through university collaboration, industry visits, cultural fieldwork, and a team design challenge, students will examine how Taiwan uses engineering to build resilient technological and urban systems.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Science, Technology, and Society (STS).

Estimated Program Fee: $3,300

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 29 (6.00pm,HCRS 1076/STEAM Lab) and October 29 (6.00pm, HCRS 1066)

Applications Open Soon!

Puerto Plata, Jarabacoa, and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic

Program Dates: July 23–28, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Rebecca Johnson

Number of Credits: 3 HONR credits

This summer study away course will be focused on the link between climate change and public health. With the increase in flooding, drought, temperature changes and natural disasters, climate change is frequently affecting the health and well-being of populations. Island nations like the Dominican Republic are even more susceptible to adverse events, as their resilience can be lower than that of other countries.

The course completed through this program fulfills the university core requirement for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Estimated Program Fee: $3,100

Not included in estimated cost: airfare, visa fees, and lunches

Callout Dates: September 22 (12.00pm, HCRS 1054) and October 19 (4.00pm, HCRS 1066)

Applications Open Soon!

Venice, Florence, and Milan, Italy

Program Dates: May 10–29, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Dino Felluga

Number of Credits: 6 HONR credits

“Italian Discoveries" combines two courses, “HONR 315—Across Differences: Da Vinci’s Renaissance” (an investigation of interdisciplinary genius and of the scientific and artistic revolutions of the Italian Renaissance) and “HONR 313—Science, Technology, and Society: Our Postmodern Present” (an exploration of the scientific and artistic revolutions of our present). This program brings together the best of Italy, from the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany to the fishing villages of Le Cinque Terre—from famous cities to small villages known only to locals. We begin in the incomparable city of Venice, where we will complete all our in-class instruction while discovering why this unforgettable city is unique in all the world. We then visit the postmodern city of Milan before enjoying a two-day break that gives students an option to explore other areas of Italy on their own or to join a group heading to Le Cinque Terre. After our vacation, we move to Florence, the epicenter of Renaissance art and science. During this last week, we will enjoy a day trip to the most perfectly preserved medieval jewel of Italy, San Gimignano, where we will celebrate our last supper before returning for a last free day in Florence.

The courses completed through this program fulfill the university core requirements for Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and for Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM).

Estimated Program Fee: $6,500

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: October 22 (12.00pm, Zoom) and November 11 (12.00pm, Zoom)

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Tokyo, Tsukuba, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima, Japan

Program Dates: May 13–27, 2027

Faculty Program Leader: Dr. Ximena Bernal and Hanae Sakata

Number of Credits: 4 HONR credits

Have you ever wondered what Pikachu's real-world cousins look like? Join us in Japan, the birthplace of Pokémon, for a study abroad adventure where gaming meets ecology. Using Pokémon GO as your field guide, you'll trek through Japan's stunning ecosystems, spotting the endemic flora and fauna that inspired generations of beloved creatures. Discover how Pokémon's DNA is woven from Japanese culture: seasonal play traditions, stamp-collecting customs, and a deep-rooted respect for nature and community. Along the way, you'll collect real data, tackle pressing biodiversity threats, and swap ideas with Japanese university students while exploring iconic cultural landmarks. This course is part biology course, part cultural immersion, part gamer's pilgrimage. No previous knowledge of Pokémon is required, but appreciation for this fictional world is a must. You'll leave this course with sharper scientific thinking, cross-cultural communication skills, and a whole new lens on ecology, evolution, and the surprising power of play. Adventure and academic credit await you!

The courses completed through this program fulfill the university core requirements for Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and for Human Cultures: Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS).

Estimated Program Fee: $5,500

Not included in estimated cost: airfare and some meals

Callout Dates: September 30 (5.00pm, HCRS 1076/STEAM Lab), October 20 (5.00pm, HCRS 1066), and November 12 (5.00pm, HCRS 1066)

Applications Open Soon!