More and more students at Dominican University are taking advantage of our varied study abroad programs, viewing these opportunities as an integral part of their undergraduate education. In Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa, these students are perfecting their language skills and/ or studying the culture, politics, art, literature and social systems of the target country. As a participant in a study-abroad program, you too will not only study, but also participate in a wide variety of cultural experiences and excursions as well as independent travel. You will return to Dominican University with a broader knowledge and understanding of the world and other peoples and also a new sense of self-reliance and independence. We hope that each of you will realize your dream of study and travel abroad through one of our year-long, semester, summer or short-term programs described below.

Year Long or Semester Programs

Semester in London, England

Offered during the fall semester only, the London program is open to juniors and seniors in all majors. With a focus on students’ experiencing as well as studying about Britain, the curriculum is comprised of two parts: an interdisciplinary course in British life and culture (eight credits) and a tutorial/independent study course, generally in the student’s major (eight credits). The interdisciplinary course includes lectures by British experts in a variety of fields, weekly day trips, overnights to Stratford-on-Avon, Bath and Wales and an eight-day study tour to Edinburgh, York and the Lake District. A 10 day break and long weekends provide opportunities for students to travel beyond Britain.

Study Abroad in Milan, Italy

This affiliate program with IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) in the fashion, financial and commercial capital of Italy is intended for students interested in a semester or academic year program in Italy. Students live in apartments with Italian university students and/or young professionals. Students may take a variety of language and area-studies courses in art history, cinema, theater, history, literature, music and political science at the IES center in Milan or at Milan’s major universities. All courses are taught in Italian. Advanced students may apply for internships that have included assignments with fashion designers, photographers, publishers, public relations and communications firms, and international companies. Although students do not need to major in Italian to participate, they must have completed one year of college Italian at the intermediate level or above.

Study Abroad in Nantes, France

This affiliate program with IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) is intended for students who wish to spend a semester or an academic year in France. Students live with a host family and take a variety of language and area-studies courses at the IES center or at the Université de Nantes. All courses are taught in French by native speakers. Internships in local schools, businesses, not-for-profit associations and regional government organizations are available. Nantes is a medium-sized city in western France from which students can easily travel to Paris and other areas in France and the rest of Europe. Although students do not need to major in French to participate, they must have completed one year of college French at the intermediate level or above.

Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

This affiliate program with AIFS (American Institute of Foreign Studies) offers one or two semesters of study at the oldest and most famous university of Spain. Students register for classes in language, area studies or other fields at either the University of Salamanca or the AIFS program, depending upon language preparation All courses are conducted in Spanish. Students live with a host family. Through excursions planned by AIFS and independent travel, students have the opportunity to explore Spain and Europe. Although students do not need to major in Spanish to participate, they must have completed one year of college Spanish at the intermediate level or above.

Study Abroad in Stellenbosch, South Africa

This affiliate program with AIFS (American Institute of Foreign Studies) offers one or two semesters at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest university. Students register for classes taught in English at the university. They can choose from a wide variety of subjects, including African-area studies, South African and African history and politics, theatre arts and South African literature. Students live in a residence hall, homestay or student communal house. The program includes a three-day stopover in London and the Garden Route tour, as well as opportunities for volunteering and optional excursions. Students do not need to major in African/African-American studies in order to participate. Students in all majors are welcome to apply.

Summer Programs

Summer In Florence

The Florence program is a six-week program intended for students interested in Italian language, art, culture and history. As the center of Renaissance civilization, Florence offers students countless opportunities to become intimately acquainted with the artistic, architectural, literary and cultural achievements of Italy’s past. Weekend excursions include the medieval cities of Siena and San Gimignano and the Chianti countryside. Students earn six to seven credits through courses taught in both Italian and English by faculty from Dominican, Arizona State and Florida Atlantic universities.

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Short Term Programs

China: Modernization and Tradition

The next major power and the fastest-growing country in the world also has a 4,000-year-old civilization. All students who are interested in the politics, culture, society and economics of China’s past and future are welcome to participate in this three-credit early summer study abroad program. Students attend classes on DU’s campus before and after the trip abroad. During the two weeks of the study trip, they visit the major historical capitals of China—Xi’an, Nanjing and Beijing—as well as its current economic capital, Shanghai. The program is conducted in English, including lectures at the Contemporary China Research Institute and meetings with public officials in Beijing.

El Salvador: Human Rights, Public Health and Globalization

In the aftermath of the brutal civil war fought in this tiny Central-American country, the struggle for peace with justice continues. This course explores how El Salvador’s particular social history impacts the health and wellbeing of the population. Students interact with non-governmental organizations, politicians, hospitals, doctors and community activists. Utilizing the capital city of San Salvador as home base, students travel to the countryside to learn about health issues affecting the rural poor. In the capital city students are lodged in a guest house (similar to a bed and breakfast), whereas in the countryside, their housing is very rustic. This three-credit course is conducted in English.

Literary London and Beyond Literary

London and Beyond is an optional onecredit study-abroad course offered in conjunction with English 247. Offered during the spring semester break, Literary London is a nine-day, eight-night study tour of London, Canterbury and Windsor, intended to complement texts read in English 247. Students visit sights associated with Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dickens, Samuel Pepys, Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, T.S. Eliot, Thomas Gray and others.

Rome Interim Program— Early Christian History: Focus on Rome

This short-term, three-credit program in Rome, Italy, occurs during the January semester break. The program consists of three phases. Students meet on campus with the director to study the historical context of the course. Then, in early January students spend seven days in Rome visiting the major sites of the Eternal City (Imperial, Christian and Dominican), such as the Coliseum, the Basilica of San Clemente, Santa Sabina, the Catacombs, the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. A final wrap-up session is held a few weeks after returning to campus. The course is conducted in English.

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Service Learning Abroad: Special Topics

El Salvador, Election Observation and Democratic Participation

This study abroad and service learning course is based in the sociology department and is offered for one or two credits. On-campus classroom sessions and orientations are followed by an eight-day trip to El Salvador, during which the students will be trained as volunteer electoral international observers. They will then be paired with United Nation or CIS (Center for Solidarity and Exchange) electoral observers in various towns and villages in El Salvador. Upon returning to campus, participants will produce a journal and lead a community forum at Dominican University. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required, as translators will be provided. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Ghana: A Gateway to Africa

This one-credit study-abroad program occurs during the spring semester. On-campus classroom sessions and orientations are followed by 14 days of travel in the west African country of Ghana in May. While there, participants will stay for three days in the capital city of Accra, where they will visit Parliament and enjoy a dinner with cultural performances. They will depart for the Volta Region where they will observe the timeless art of weaving beautiful fabrics. The Ashanti region will be the next stop and then on to the Mole National Park for a game viewing. The final stop will be at the infamous Cape Coast Castle, the “door of no return” for thousands caught in the slave trade. Students are required to keep a journal of their experiences and to write a term paper.