Faculty-Led Study Abroad
Summer Exchange Partner Programs
Washington College has partnered with three universities abroad that permit Washington College students to participate in their summer semesters; these semesters work similarly to a fall/spring semester abroad: students apply through the Global Education Office (either by the fall or the spring deadline, with priority given to fall applicants) and participate in the same mandatory pre-departure workshops required for semester-long study abroad. The three partners are: Lingnan University in Hong Kong, Yonsei University in South Korea, and Universidad San Francisco Quito (USFQ) in Ecuador. (Brief descriptions of each of these schools is provided in the next section below). The coursework completed overseas will transfer back as Washington College credit/value/grades. Because these three programs work outside the regular semester parameters, students who participate will be charged the Summer Exchange Abroad fee of $1,500 in lieu of other Washington College tuition and fees. In addition, summer housing fees will be paid to Washington College and provided at the partner institution in the cases of Lingnan and Yonsei universities.
Short-Term Faculty-Led Study Abroad Courses
Washington College offers intensive two- to three-week travel/study experiences during winter or summer breaks. Led by Washington College faculty, these trips focus on a specific area of study and typically count as one 4-credit course. Policies regarding these courses are below.
Prior to the departure of the trip, students may elect to audit the course. Students may elect to take the course on a Pass/Fail basis, unless it is being used to fulfill a distribution or major requirement. Established Pass/Fail policies still apply: please review the Pass/Fail Option section above for further details.
Because of the brief nature and scheduling considerations related to short-term courses, students may not withdraw after departure; however, students may drop the course prior to departure (not all fees may be refundable).
Special Sessions
Washington College offers several intensive travel/study experiences, conducted under the guidance of professors during times when classes are normally not in session. Successful completion of these summer sessions earns academic credit.
January Session in Cuba: Cuban Music and Culture
Offered during the Winter Break, this course introduces students to anthropological, ethnomusicological, and ethnochoreological ethnographic fieldwork methods, including participant-observation, ethnographic interviews, and audio/video documentation techniques. Students will be exposed to both Afro-Cuban religious and Cuban popular expressive forms. They will learn about the interrelatedness of music, dance, visual arts, ritual, and religious beliefs, as well as with Cuban views on Cuban culture, gender, and race. Students will attend/observe both formal and informal music performances and take music and dance lessons where they will have an opportunity to engage musicians on a one-on-one basis. In addition to music-oriented activities, students will learn about Cuba’s cultural and economic history by exploring Havana’s rich museums, monuments, and plazas.
Summer Session in Bermuda
This summer course will investigate the complex ecology of the Bermuda Islands, the impact that human habitation has had on their natural history, and current environmental concerns and means of mitigating those concerns. Major areas of study will include (but not be limited to) coral reef ecology/symbioses, mangrove community ecology and environmental relevance, architectural and military influences during colonization, fisheries practices (past, present, and future) and current concerns and problems, and ecotourism and associated environmental impacts.
Summer Program in Ecuador
This three-week-long summer course, offered in conjunction with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, will investigate many of the world’s most distinctive species of plants, animals that inhabit the richly diverse ecosystems of Ecuador. Students will gain an understanding of Ecuador’s social and economic issues and the challenges it faces as a developing country while attempting to conserve its natural resources. Topics investigated include conservation of the Amazon rain forest and oil exploration, ecotourism, biodiversity concerns, mangrove conservation and the fate of Galapagos tortoises and the Galapagos fisheries.
Summer Session at Kiplin Hall
During a three-week summer excursion to North Yorkshire, students experience the poetic landscape of England. Hiking the remote hills of the Lake District and exploring the moors, students literally follow the footsteps of Romantic poets as they study the literature of that period. Students stay at Kiplin Hall, the ancestral home of Maryland’s Calvert family. Participants earn four credits.
Oxford University in England - Research Seminar on Religion, Politics, and Culture
Students interested in the intersection of religion, politics, and culture are encouraged to apply for a two week study program conducted at the University of Oxford in June. Students reside on campus in the heart of Oxford University, engage in a structured program of study directed by Oxford faculty, develop an independent research project using the vast resources of Oxford libraries, and conduct tutorials under Oxford faculty. For more information, please contact Joseph Prud’homme, director, the Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture.
Charles University in Prague - Research Seminar on Religion, Politics, and Culture
Washington College partners with Charles University in Prague for a distinctive summer course in Prague, Vienna, and Cracow, with a study trip to the extermination camp at Auschwitz. This distinctive program brings together students from around the world for an intensive examination of the role of religion in cultural and political life. Founded in 1347, Charles University is located in the historic center of the picturesque city of Prague, once the capitol of the Holy Roman Empire. For more information, please contact Joseph Prud’homme, director, the Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture.
Summer International Business Experience
Washington College offers a two-week- travel course in international business. For details, contact the Chair of the Business Management Department.
Summer Archaeological Field School
This summer program is an introduction to archaeological fieldwork methods and to the theoretical concerns of anthropological archaeology. It includes participation in archaeological survey and excavation as well as lectures, readings, and writing assignments. A minimum obligation of 30 hours per week is required. Sites will focus on North American native people and colonial U.S. history in Maryland.