Sophomore Study Away
First-year undergraduates have a week-long immersive study away experience that's included as part of your Westminster University degree.
During your second year at Westminster, you’ll take a semester-long WCore Engaging the World class or Honors College seminar that includes an embedded study away experience during fall or spring break.
You’ll choose between domestic or international experiences that focus on engaging with the host community while remaining committed to socially responsible and sustainable travel practices. All of this is made possible through Westminster’s international service-learning program, IPSL Global Engagement.
Fall 2026 Courses
PUBH-250: Global Health in Colombia
Fall Break 2026
Visit Chinchiná, Colombia and learn the foundations to global health with undergraduate public health students and students interested in understanding health on a global scale.
THTR 358: Global Stages and Stories in Greece
Fall Break 2026
Study the impetus and creation of theatre, from its ancient origins to modern day performance, through lectures, play readings, play performance, and class activities.
HON 231: Human Culture and Behavior in Valencia
Fall Break 2026
Spring 2027 Courses
Comm 250: Intro to Human Communication in Colombia
Spring Break 2027
Visit Colombia and develop awareness of basic communication processes and skills and explore how these basic skills and processes work in different types of communication and in different contexts.
MUSC 207: World Music, World Perspectives in Portugal
Spring Break 2027
Survey music of the indigenous and migrant populations of Africa, India, Europe, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and North America.
EDUC 375: Indigenous Knowledge and Lifeways (Domestic Option)
Spring Break 2027
Learn about indigenous knowledge systems, worldviews, and lifeways from various regions of the world with a special emphasis on the Hopi and Diné Nations.
HON 211: Global Welfare and Justice in Peru
Spring Break 2027
Take part in an experiential and philosophical exploration of the present and past local interrelationships among subordination, power, culture, society, education, and transformation.
Westminster University makes every effort to ensure that Sophomore Study Away experiences will operate as described in the published material. Westminster University reserves the right to make changes to itineraries and courses, without prior notice, including the faculty leader, academic material, excursions, and/or housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
First-year undergraduates beginning with the incoming class in Fall 2025 will have a week-long immersive study away experience that's included as part of your Westminster degree. During your second year at Westminster, you’ll take a semester-long WCore Engaging the World class or Honors College seminar that includes an embedded study away experience during fall or spring break. You’ll choose between domestic or international experiences that focus on engaging with the host community while remaining committed to socially responsible and sustainable travel practices. All of this is made possible through Westminster’s international service-learning program, IPSL Global Engagement.
You will travel with your classmates, approximately 10-25 students per class and 1-2 Westminster faculty members who will teach the class and accompany the group.
Eligible students will complete a form to rank their choices in order of preference by December 1, 2025. Students will be notified of their placement approximately March 1, 2026.
The Registrar’s Office will enroll you in the course you are placed into for either Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
Students will not be billed for trip-related expenses including flight (if applicable), in-country transportation, lodging, meals, excursions, and international health insurance. Students are responsible for obtaining a passport (international trips only), visa entry fees if not a U.S. passport holder, personal medical expenses including optional pre-departure immunizations, luggage/gear, and other personal expenses. Students will also register for a class associated with the study away experience, and the cost of the tuition for that class will be billed with the 12-16 hours of tuition for the semester in which you are enrolled.
Access to plant-based foods or accommodating other dietary preferences abroad will vary depending on the location. Most dietary preferences can be accommodated. Vegans will have the most difficulty and your diet may be more limited than it is in the United States. Students are encouraged to be flexible while traveling and consider relaxing your diet while abroad. If you have a special diet due to a medical condition, please contact Disability Services to request accommodations.
“Traveling ... was life changing and a really transformative experience. Not only did I get to meet and connect with some really amazing Westminster students, being able to explore the inner workings of these countries was something I will never forget.”
Paris Pratt
'24