Travel Courses

In this spring semester course, you will travel in late May to São Miguel Island in the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. In addition to hiking and exploring the natural wonders of São Miguel’s geothermal pools, colorful lakes, and verdant forest sanctuaries, you will tour sports facilities and meet female athletes who play basketball, surf, and contribute to the culture of sport on the archipelago. Other activities include meeting with local university students and learning about the agricultural and culinary traditions of this vibrant Atlantic island group.

This fall semester course presents an in-depth study of the biology and taxonomy of corals while examining the ecology of the coral reef system and the future of reefs, concluding with a field lab. You will snorkel in the beautiful lagoons of Ambergris Caye, the Hol Chan and Bacalar Chico Marine Reserves. The group is housed in a field station on the northern tip of Ambergris Caye with access to the reef ecosystem, mangroves, seagrass beds, and jungle.

This is a spring semester course that includes travel to Costa Rica for nine days over spring break, where you will explore the amazing biodiversity of both tropical rainforests and so-called dry forests.  Students will conduct fieldwork examining how human-induced changes in the environment — such as defaunation, invasive species, and global warming — impact these two forest types.  In addition, students will have the opportunity to zipline through the forest canopy, spend some time at the beach, and simply enjoy the sights and sounds of tropical forests. Upon return to the U.S., students will spend the rest of the semester drawing upon their travel experience to help them identify strategies to protect these natural systems from further human disturbance.  Note that this course can be taken at either the 200- or 400-level, with students enrolling at the 400 level having greater expectations in terms of both depth of study and workload, and serving as research team leaders on group projects before, during, and after travel to Costa Rica.

The course expands on existing knowledge of public health systems to explore public health infrastructure and health systems in Cuba. Students are encouraged to deeply investigate and contrast health care systems and delivery in the United States and Cuba through evaluation of health care policy and cultural health attitudes and behaviors.

This program in Ghana offers a ten-day health care immersion experience in mid to late May in which UNE students and faculty will work alongside the Ghana Health Service, Community Health Educators and the community.  You will engage in providing direct health services, interprofessional collaboration, community education, and academic and cross-cultural exchange.  Through this experience you will broaden your worldview, begin the process of becoming a culturally sensitive health professional, and increase your professional capacity through self-reflection. 

Students from all health professions programs are invited to participate, and will, in conjunction with participating faculty, develop, implement, and evaluate health education curricula relevant to the population need.  Students accepted for this program must participate in online team-building activities, attend orientation sessions, secure a Ghanaian visa, collect and fundraise for supplies, and contribute to a professional presentation upon return.  In addition to applying for UNE’s Global Education Scholarship, students may apply for the Barbara J Kamm Ghana Health Immersion Scholarship. This award for WCHP students participating in the Ghana Health Immersion Program honors UNE alumna Barbara J. Kamm, MSW ’91.

This spring semester course provides an in-depth study of the unique ecosystems for marine and terrestrial organisms, as well as the unique human history and culture of Iceland. You will explore geological features like volcanic craters and geysers, hike in the fault line between the American and the European plate and learn about adaptations to a subarctic climate. You will also explore the Viking history of Iceland, which is tightly related to the discovery of America, and Iceland's sustainable energy production.

This spring semester course will investigate comparative education theories and philosophy to examine education in different contexts. By investigating contexts locally, nationally and globally, you will extend your knowledge about society and how this is enacted through the institution of its schools. In Ireland, students will visit schools and learn about Irish culture by touring castles, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, and the EPIC Museum. Other highlights include the Ring of Kerry, Galway, Kinsale, Killarney and Dublin.

In this collaborative experience, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Masters of Occupational Therapy students will spend two weeks in Italy visiting unique programs serving people with physical disabilities and discussing disability issues with Italian health professionals, clients, and students. Visits will occur in Siena, Bologna, and Biella, and Milan. Cultural experiences will be included in all aspects of the course. Preparatory class meetings will take place and will include assigned readings, discussions, and planning.

This spring semester course covers topics in history and geology of the Caribbean with an emphasis on the island of Bocas del Toro in Panama. You will study topics such as terrestrial, island, and marine biodiversity, and the ecology and evolution of populations. You will explore both Panama City and the Bocas del Toro, where you will stay at a field station for the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation. Highlights include a boat tour of the Panama Canal, a cacao farm tour, and snorkeling and hiking in Bocas del Toro.