Students in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) often take advantage of travel and learning experiences to enhance their liberal arts education. Where will you go?
Short-term Travel Study Courses
Typically 1-3 weeks long, short-term travel courses allow students a dip into a new culture while earning credit toward their degrees. UVM runs short-term travel courses during Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. If you’re looking for a travel course that lands closer to home, check out our U.S. based courses here.
Ecuador: Reading Grass Páramo: The High Andes Underfoot
Spring Break 2026, GEOG 2730 – 3 credits
This Spring Break travel course will examine the origin and persistence of grass páramo, a high-elevation Andean savanna. Páramo covers extensive areas of the tropical Andes in an altitudinal belt between the tree line and the snowline.
Deadline: November 18, 2025
England: Literary London
Summer 2026, ENGL 2885 / HCOL 2000 – 3 credits
London, one of the greatest cities on the planet, is in so many ways defined by its relationship to literature. In the four weeks of this course, we will explore multiple facets of that relationship.
Deadline: January 2026
Spain: Barcelona in the Arts
Summer 2026, CAS 2990 – 3 credits
This class will focus on Catalonian art and society, from the turn of the 20th century to the current trends. We will address how Catalan society and the arts intertwined to create one of the most fascinating and influential artistic trends of the 20th century.
Deadline: January 2026
Ecuador: The Politics of Land Use
Summer 2026, GEOG 2730 – 3 credits
Ecuador –the most biodiverse nation in the world– land of the Inca and a center of the Latin American independence movement, is today a fascinating country steeped in incredible ecological and cultural diversity. This course provides students with the opportunity to learn from the incredible social dynamism of Ecuador through volunteer work, community and farm stays in the Andes and cloud forest, agro-ecology practicums, talks with political activists, students, campesino and indigenous organizations, and the rural agrarian people that are the backbone of Ecuadorian and global society.
Deadline: January 2026
Greece: Ancient Greek History & Culture
Summer 2026, CLAS / HST 2990 – 3 credits
In this course students will learn about the history and culture of ancient Greece from the Early Bronze Age through the Classical Period (roughly 3000-323 BCE).
Deadline: January 2026
UVM Semester In…
UVM Semester programs abroad are signature UVM study abroad programs with academic partner institutions, providing options aligning with a wide range of UVM majors. We currently have five UVM semester programs: UVM in Barbados, UVM in Ireland, UVM in New Zealand, UVM in South Africa, and UVM in South Korea. Additional programs are in development.
These are cohort-based one-semester programs in which students take courses across the academic institution abroad as well as one online UVM GRS course. Students live in accommodations arranged by UVM, living either with other UVM/international students or local students, depending on the program. The UVM Semester programs allow students to use federal financial aid, and UVM scholarships, grants, and loans may be eligible to travel with students on these programs.
UVM Semester in New Zealand
As New Zealand’s largest city with over 1.6 million people, Auckland is not only the largest city in Polynesia but also a melting pot, boasting a higher percentage of overseas-born residents than cities like Los Angeles, London, or New York. UVM Semester in New Zealand is one of UVM’s signature study abroad programs hosted at our partner Auckland University of Technology which ranks among the top 1% of universities world-wide.
UVM Semester in South Africa
Although a dense urban center, Cape Town offers ample opportunity to engage with nature. The city sits at the foot of Table Mountain, which locals will refer to as having her “tablecloth on” on overcast days. Cape Town also is known for its vineyards, offering a picturesque backdrop for a sunset. Beautiful beaches and outdoor activities abound. Students will be hosted at our partner the University of Cape Town.
UVM Semester in South Korea
Korea University is located in the Seongbuk-gu neighborhood of Seoul. Seoul is a city full of opportunity to access many elements of South Korea’s soft power, including K-Pop, K-Beauty, and a booming tech industry. Students interested in history and politics will find museums, palaces, and people that weave the narrative of a modern Seoul, and those seeking access to green spaces will find parks within the city with opportunities to hike mountains nearby.
UVM Semester in Barbados
Barbados blends Caribbean and West African cultural influences to offer a unique learning environment for students. This program goes beyond sun, sea, and sand; it represents a terrific opportunity to deepen and complicate one’s understanding of the Caribbean and of Small Island Developing States. Students will attend The University of the West Indies at Cave Hill (UWI).
UVM Semester in Ireland
Study at the University of Galway, an institution with global reach and reputation. Galway, the culture center of western Ireland, a safe, coastal city with vibrant Celtic traditions, is easily reachable from Ireland’s major airports and boasts many shops, restaurants, and a world-renowned music scene.
Still have questions?
Email cas.discovery@uvm.edu — our team would be happy to assist.
