Study Abroad Programs
Study Abroad at SMC: Pre-Approved Programs
麻豆视频 Michael鈥檚 College offers over 100 pre-approved programs for students interested in studying abroad during the summer, winter-session, semester, or academic year. Location, language of instruction, course offerings, method of instruction, and fit with career aspirations are elements that should be considered when deciding upon a program of study.
Language Programs help students learn a new language or increase proficiency in a language taught at 麻豆视频 Michael鈥檚. 麻豆视频with advanced language skills may choose to take content courses in the target language.
University Programs offer a wide range of liberal studies courses taught at international universities. Courses may be taken to fulfill major, minor, or core requirements, or with proper planning, courses may also be taken to explore new areas of study or to gain a deeper understanding of familiar topics of interest.
Internship Programs allow students to gain real world work experience by being placed in a credit-bearing academic internship. 麻豆视频enroll in other classroom or field based courses in addition to the internship.
Field Study Programs provide students with hands-on academic experiences. Theme-based programs commonly focus on global issues such as global health, human rights, climate change, human resilience, and peace and conflict studies.
Academic Study Trips are short term programs (2-4 weeks in length) created and led by SMC faculty. Program offerings change from year to year as new courses are developed based on student and faculty interest.
Approved Programs
Researching programs and destinations is the first step toward your international adventure! Start with an open mind, stretch your imaginations, and explore the possibilities. Tap the purple boxes below and you鈥檒l find SMC鈥檚 pre-approved programs. For more information on a program鈥檚 course offerings, housing options, in-country support services, and country highlights, tap on Program Partners (see tab on left). Now explore the world, one click at a time!
Program Partners
| (formerly TEAN) | |
Academic Study Trips
Faculty-Led Academic Trips provide a remarkable opportunity for an intensive learning experience with a group of 麻豆视频 Michael’s College students and faculty. The 2025/2026 offerings reflect our commitment to international education and to experiential learning. We recognize that not all students can afford to study abroad for an entire semester, and these courses represent an exciting alternative. Trip destinations have been carefully selected to immerse students in their learning and to integrate their theoretical knowledge with the perspective of place. Most people will agree that this is the best way to learn and to retain knowledge.
If you have questions about any of these trips, please contact the faculty members who are indicated as the instructors for the course as soon as possible. Trip size will be limited, and a minimum number of students must register in order for the course to proceed. Academic Study Trips are not eligible for tuition remission. Half tuition is charged (per credit) during the winter or summer session. A limited number of need based scholarships are available for qualified applicants.
Winter-Session 2025-26
MEXICO/ARIZONA: THE MIGRANT JOURNEY
EQ334 (2 credits)
Prerequisite: EQ333 (2 credits) or permission of the instructors
Date: December 28, 2025 – January 10, 2026
In this field trip to the southern border we travel to Arizona and to Nogales, Mexico to explore the migrant journey. With a focus upon the causes of immigration, the lived experiences of migrants, and the policies that define those experiences, we will learn from community partners committed to social justice. Humanitarian groups, migrant justice organizations, response teams, artist-activists, land owners, and indigenous leaders will inform our understanding. We will study surveillance and enforcement, the border wall, and serve at a shelter for migrants.
Educational workshops will prepare us for travel to Nogales, Mexico where we will meet with community members who share what it means to live in the shadow of the wall. We will travel west to Sasabe, Mexico, where the wall stretches for 20 miles from the O’odham nation and we will explore parts of the Sonoran desert with humanitarian groups that drop food and water to help migrants survive the brutal heat. We will meet with an artist-activist to plant a cross in his “Donde Mueren Los Suenos” project, marking sites in the desert where unidentified migrants have been found. We will also learn to cook El Salvadoran meals with a local women’s cooperative, and study the rich cultural heritage of many different migrant groups. Our days will be packed, and we will reserve time for readings and reflection in the evenings.
Professor Allison Cleary, acleary@smcvt.edu
Professor Omara Rivera-V谩zquez, oriveravazqu@smcvt.edu
Summer-Session 2026
FRANCE/BELGIUM/LUXEMBOURG: ATLANTICISM AND TRANSNATIONAL DEMOCRACY
Prerequisite: Spring course # TBD, or permission of the instructors
Date: May 12 – 24, 2026
After a semester-long study of transnationalism and EU鈥揢S relations, the course culminates in a capstone trip to Strasbourg, Brussels, and Luxembourg, the key crossroads in the transatlantic relationship. In Strasbourg, students will immerse themselves in the workings of the European Parliament by observing and documenting a multi-day plenary session. The cohort will also explore the Alsace region, shaped by its unique Franco-German heritage, and visit monuments and memorials honoring the Second World War, the conflict that ultimately gave rise to deeply integrated Western institutions. The journey continues to Luxembourg City to visit the Court of Justice of the European Union before heading to Brussels, the capital of both Belgium and the EU. 麻豆视频will engage with NATO headquarters and the European Parliament, complemented by cultural excursions, exhibits, and time to discover the city on their own. The trip concludes with a train ride to Bruges for a canal boat tour and a free afternoon to enjoy one of Europe鈥檚 most picturesque medieval towns. Successful completion of the SP2026 pre-course and the SU2026 field study trip earns students four credits.
Professor Jeffrey Ayres, jayres@smcvt.edu
Assistant Professor Stephon Boatwright, sboatwright@smcvt.edu
ENGLAND: SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE
EN 337 Shakespeare in Performance On Stage (2 credits)
Prerequisite: EN 335/6 Shakespeare (Spring 2026, 4 credits)
Date: May 18 – 30, 2026
The 鈥淪hakespeare in Performance鈥 course will be taught again during spring and summer (2026).
The 4 credit Shakespeare course (335/6) will focus on filmed versions of at least 5 plays and will meet every week on the SMC campus. This will be followed by the 2 Credit On Stage (EN337) course that will be taught in England. It will focus on an additional five plays: two performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, and three others performed in London (Globe Theatre) or other venues in England. The Tour will take place May 18-30, 2026(we will fly out 5/18) and be based at Wroxton Abbey outside of Banbury, north of London. 麻豆视频wishing to enroll in the On Stage course must also take Shakespeare 335 in the spring. Together, these courses will satisfy requirements in English, Theater, and the LSC.
Professor Kerry Shea, kshea@smcvt.edu
Professor Peter Harrigan, pharrigan@smcvt.edu
JAPAN: TREES, SHRINES, AND TEMPLES: SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY IN THE JAPANESE CONTEXT
ES 248 (2 credits)
Prerequisite: One of BI 151; BI 152; ES 105; ES 106; ES 107 OR Sophomore standing or above in Education, Digital Media and Communications, or Digital Marketing
Date: May 11 – 26, 2026
麻豆视频will study Japanese sustainable forestry and reverence for trees with forestry experts, a Shinto scholar, and by conducting research in Japanese forests. We will read Japanese environmental literature and respond to hands-on experiences using Japanese literary forms. Japanese culture will be introduced by working with Japanese students in Tokyo and in Tottori, Vermont鈥檚 sister state. Both spring enrolment and two-week Japan academic study trip are required; it is not possible to take one component without the other.
Professor Declan McCabe, dmccabe@smcvt.edu
Professor Hideko Furukawa, hkyotofurukawa@gmail.com
Professor Trevien Stanger, tstanger@smcvt.edu
George Ackerman gackerman@mail.smcvt.edu
Freeman Foundation International Internship
麻豆视频 Michael鈥檚 College is pleased to announce the annual Global Citizenship International Internship Program, supported by a grant from the Freeman Foundation. learn more…
Approved Programs
Researching programs and destinations is the first step toward your international adventure! Start with an open mind, stretch your imaginations, and explore the possibilities. Tap the purple boxes below and you鈥檒l find SMC鈥檚 pre-approved programs. For more information on a program鈥檚 course offerings, housing options, in-country support services, and country highlights, tap on Program Partners (see tab on left). Now explore the world, one click at a time!
Program Partners
| (formerly TEAN) | |
Academic Study Trips
Faculty-Led Academic Trips provide a remarkable opportunity for an intensive learning experience with a group of 麻豆视频 Michael’s College students and faculty. The 2025/2026 offerings reflect our commitment to international education and to experiential learning. We recognize that not all students can afford to study abroad for an entire semester, and these courses represent an exciting alternative. Trip destinations have been carefully selected to immerse students in their learning and to integrate their theoretical knowledge with the perspective of place. Most people will agree that this is the best way to learn and to retain knowledge.
If you have questions about any of these trips, please contact the faculty members who are indicated as the instructors for the course as soon as possible. Trip size will be limited, and a minimum number of students must register in order for the course to proceed. Academic Study Trips are not eligible for tuition remission. Half tuition is charged (per credit) during the winter or summer session. A limited number of need based scholarships are available for qualified applicants.
Winter-Session 2025-26
MEXICO/ARIZONA: THE MIGRANT JOURNEY
EQ334 (2 credits)
Prerequisite: EQ333 (2 credits) or permission of the instructors
Date: December 28, 2025 – January 10, 2026
In this field trip to the southern border we travel to Arizona and to Nogales, Mexico to explore the migrant journey. With a focus upon the causes of immigration, the lived experiences of migrants, and the policies that define those experiences, we will learn from community partners committed to social justice. Humanitarian groups, migrant justice organizations, response teams, artist-activists, land owners, and indigenous leaders will inform our understanding. We will study surveillance and enforcement, the border wall, and serve at a shelter for migrants.
Educational workshops will prepare us for travel to Nogales, Mexico where we will meet with community members who share what it means to live in the shadow of the wall. We will travel west to Sasabe, Mexico, where the wall stretches for 20 miles from the O’odham nation and we will explore parts of the Sonoran desert with humanitarian groups that drop food and water to help migrants survive the brutal heat. We will meet with an artist-activist to plant a cross in his “Donde Mueren Los Suenos” project, marking sites in the desert where unidentified migrants have been found. We will also learn to cook El Salvadoran meals with a local women’s cooperative, and study the rich cultural heritage of many different migrant groups. Our days will be packed, and we will reserve time for readings and reflection in the evenings.
Professor Allison Cleary, acleary@smcvt.edu
Professor Omara Rivera-V谩zquez, oriveravazqu@smcvt.edu
Summer-Session 2026
FRANCE/BELGIUM/LUXEMBOURG: ATLANTICISM AND TRANSNATIONAL DEMOCRACY
Prerequisite: Spring course # TBD, or permission of the instructors
Date: May 12 – 24, 2026
After a semester-long study of transnationalism and EU鈥揢S relations, the course culminates in a capstone trip to Strasbourg, Brussels, and Luxembourg, the key crossroads in the transatlantic relationship. In Strasbourg, students will immerse themselves in the workings of the European Parliament by observing and documenting a multi-day plenary session. The cohort will also explore the Alsace region, shaped by its unique Franco-German heritage, and visit monuments and memorials honoring the Second World War, the conflict that ultimately gave rise to deeply integrated Western institutions. The journey continues to Luxembourg City to visit the Court of Justice of the European Union before heading to Brussels, the capital of both Belgium and the EU. 麻豆视频will engage with NATO headquarters and the European Parliament, complemented by cultural excursions, exhibits, and time to discover the city on their own. The trip concludes with a train ride to Bruges for a canal boat tour and a free afternoon to enjoy one of Europe鈥檚 most picturesque medieval towns. Successful completion of the SP2026 pre-course and the SU2026 field study trip earns students four credits.
Professor Jeffrey Ayres, jayres@smcvt.edu
Assistant Professor Stephon Boatwright, sboatwright@smcvt.edu
ENGLAND: SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE
EN 337 Shakespeare in Performance On Stage (2 credits)
Prerequisite: EN 335/6 Shakespeare (Spring 2026, 4 credits)
Date: May 18 – 30, 2026
The 鈥淪hakespeare in Performance鈥 course will be taught again during spring and summer (2026).
The 4 credit Shakespeare course (335/6) will focus on filmed versions of at least 5 plays and will meet every week on the SMC campus. This will be followed by the 2 Credit On Stage (EN337) course that will be taught in England. It will focus on an additional five plays: two performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, and three others performed in London (Globe Theatre) or other venues in England. The Tour will take place May 18-30, 2026(we will fly out 5/18) and be based at Wroxton Abbey outside of Banbury, north of London. 麻豆视频wishing to enroll in the On Stage course must also take Shakespeare 335 in the spring. Together, these courses will satisfy requirements in English, Theater, and the LSC.
Professor Kerry Shea, kshea@smcvt.edu
Professor Peter Harrigan, pharrigan@smcvt.edu
JAPAN: TREES, SHRINES, AND TEMPLES: SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY IN THE JAPANESE CONTEXT
ES 248 (2 credits)
Prerequisite: One of BI 151; BI 152; ES 105; ES 106; ES 107 OR Sophomore standing or above in Education, Digital Media and Communications, or Digital Marketing
Date: May 11 – 26, 2026
麻豆视频will study Japanese sustainable forestry and reverence for trees with forestry experts, a Shinto scholar, and by conducting research in Japanese forests. We will read Japanese environmental literature and respond to hands-on experiences using Japanese literary forms. Japanese culture will be introduced by working with Japanese students in Tokyo and in Tottori, Vermont鈥檚 sister state. Both spring enrolment and two-week Japan academic study trip are required; it is not possible to take one component without the other.
Professor Declan McCabe, dmccabe@smcvt.edu
Professor Hideko Furukawa, hkyotofurukawa@gmail.com
Professor Trevien Stanger, tstanger@smcvt.edu
George Ackerman gackerman@mail.smcvt.edu
Freeman Foundation International Internship
麻豆视频 Michael鈥檚 College is pleased to announce the annual Global Citizenship International Internship Program, supported by a grant from the Freeman Foundation. learn more…