Summer 2024 Field Studies

Application Deadline: February 12, 2024

How does one know if a species is endangered? This experimental learning course will immerse you in the practice of animal conservation, by partnering with grass roots environmental organizations as we collect real data on threatened species in the Dominican Republic, which will be used to determine their status. Students will learn about the threats to endemic animals and habits first-hand and the role that history and culture plays in shaping animal conservation initiatives. 

• Faculty Leaders: Bobby Fokidis and Jay Pieczynski
• Program Location: Dominican Republic
• Tentative Travel Dates: May 14 - 27, 2024
• Credit: 4 - Letter Grade
• Prerequisites: None - preference to biology and environmental studies majors/minors
• Course Requirements: Field report and notes, research poster
• Anticipated Number of Students: 10
• Estimated Program Fee: $3,600
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, round-trip airfare from MCO, housing, most meals/food, on-site transportation, on-site activities, program administratio, and emergency insurance.
• Estimated Additional Costs: Passport $165, some meals $100, personal expenses $112, federal loan fees $0,  books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0.
• Visa: Not required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: This course will involve substantial walking and hiking over some challenging terrain and will also include setting traps in shallow lagoons and lakes, thus a certain level of fitness and comfort with water is recommended. There will also be on-site travel that could induce motion sickness, and limited food options in general (including for those with restricted diets and allergies). Participants will also be in some remote locations where very limited medical services are available and air conditioning is unavailable.

*All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: February 12, 2024

Get hands-on experience in the lab by studying North Atlantic marine life at the marine sciences laboratory of the Darling Marine Centre in Maine! Investigate the ecology, diversity, biogeography, and oceanography of coastal marine ecosystems with particular emphasis on the study of rocky shores, mudflats, estuaries, and salt marshes. Highlights of this experience include a puffin-watching trip, a visit of the Coastal Maine Botanical gardens and Pemaquid Point lighthouse, as well as a lobster dinner. 

• Program Leaders: Kathryn Sutherland and Pamela Brannock
  
• Program Location: Darling Marine Center, Damariscotta, Maine 
• Tentative Travel Dates: July 21- Aug 1, 2024
• Credit: 2 – Standard Letter
• Prerequisites: BIO210 Introduction to Marine Science
• Course Requirements: Attendance at pre-travel meetings, participation in all on-site activities, graded detailed field notebooks, scientific data analysis, fieldwork on-site, lab practical exam, and final lab report.
• Anticipated Number of Students: 12 
• Estimated Undergraduate Program Fee: $2,400
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, housing, all meals, on-site transportation, on-site activities, and lab facility fees
• Estimated Additional Costs: Personal expenses, round-trip airfare from MCO to Portland, Maine $550 (or other transportation to Maine), federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0. 
• Visa: N/A
  
• Special Notifications: This course is physically demanding with substantial walking, walking on uneven ground or pavement, use of stairs, and strenuous activities such as one sampling trip on a boat and one field excursion using kayaks. There will also be locations with no air conditioning. All meals will be provided by Duke Marine lab's on site cafeteria which caters for vegetarians, however students with food allergies may have limited food options.  Finally, this program has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for all students.   

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

This field study is a business, culture and nature adventure in the heart of West Africa. Ghana is a vibrant nation with culinary delights, bold fashion, and very friendly people. We will have a rich cultural immersion from the Ashanti Kingdom, and Fanteland. We will see one of the largest open-air markets, and one of the oldest mosques in West Africa. We will see the slave dungeons and the door of no return. We will explore nature on a canopy walk, river ride, waterfall, wildlife park and butterfly refuge. We will gain business insights from interacting with large, small, and community-based businesses. We will also gain valuable academic perspectives from visiting a university like ours known for innovation and entrepreneurship. Let’s call it an educational odyssey in Ghana! 

• Program Leader: Emmanuel Kodzi
• Program Location: Ghana
• Travel Dates: Departing on May 11. Program dates: May 12-25 2024 (please note, this program's dates conflict with 2024 Commencement)
• Credit: 4 - Letter Grade
• Prerequisites:  Juniors and Rising Seniors
• Course Requirements: Cases, presentation, portfolios
• Anticipated Number of Students: 12
• Estimated Program Fee: $3,500
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, housing, some meals/food, on-site activities, on-site transportation, program management, and emergency insurance.
• Estimated Additional Costs: Round-trip airfare from MCO $1800, some meals $170, passport $165, personal expenses $112, visa $60, yellow fever innoculation fee $310, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0.
• Visa: Required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: Participants on this field study will experience substantial walking, walking on uneven ground or pavement, on-site travel that could induce motion sickness, use of stairs required for some activities, high altitude areas and areas that could induce a fear of heights, limited food options for students with restricted diets or allergies, some areas with no air conditioning or high levels of air pollution, and locations that require bottled drinking water. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted on this field study. 

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

 What better way to learn about Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) and technological advancement than in Seoul? As one of the world’s largest growing technological hubs and innovative cities, experience the science behind top companies such as Samsung and LG while also immersing in the history, food, music, and culture of South Korea. Gain firsthand experience with the STEM education in South Korea by visiting SongAm Space Center and star observatory and interacting with faculty and students from the fields of STEM and education in local universities. Finally, visit Jeju Island to learn about history and culture of Haenyeo, female divers of Jeju, a recently established UNESCO site, and other beautiful landscapes and heritage sites. 

• Program Leaders: Ellane J. Park and Jie Yu
• Student Site Leader: Tommy Versosky
• Program Location: South Korea
• Tentative Travel Dates: May 13 – 24, 2024
• Credit: 2 – Credit / No Credit
• Prerequisites: 2-credit orientation course in Spring 2024. Instructor Consent. Course starts March 18th. 
• Course Requirements: Writing reflections, learning basic Korean language phrases to get around, readings of Korean history, education, and STEM news relevant to the itinerary.
• Anticipated Number of Students: 14
• Estimated Program Fee: $3,050
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, housing, breakfasts and 5 dinners, on-site activities, on-site transportation, program administration, and emergency insurance.
• Estimated Additional Costs: Round-trip airfare from FL $1800, meals not included $275, passport $165, personal expenses $150, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0. 
• Visa: Not required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: There will be extensive walking throughout the city and some strenuous activities that involve several uphill, mountainous terrains through the city of Seoul. Use of stairs will also be required for some activities. Students with gluten-free diets may find limited food options quite challenging while in South Korea.

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

Costa Rica is a world leader in both biological diversity protection and sustainable development. Its world class National Parks and other protected areas encompass over 25% of this biodiversity hotspot.  Through this field study we'll view firsthand the differing habitats and management strategies associated with the wide variety of protected areas in Costa Rica. The areas visited will include national parks, national wildlife refuges, large and small private preserves, and biological corridors. Each has a distinct role to play in protecting the incredible biological diversity for which Costa Rica is famous. Itinerary Highlights: Carara National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Curi Cancha Reserve, Tenorio Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Selva Biological Station, Poas Volcano National Park, and monkeys sloths, anteaters, crocodiles, and over 900 species of birds.

• Program Leader: Barry Allen
• Program Location: Costa Rica
• Tentative Travel Dates: May 14 –24, 2024
• Credit: 2 – Letter Grade
• Co-requisite: Enrollment in ENV 353 Spring Semester 2024
• Course Requirements: 15-page field report
• Anticipated Number of Students: 12
• Estimated Undergraduate Program Fee: $2,850
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, round-trip airfare from MCO, housing, all meals/food, all on-site activities, on-site transportation, program administration, and emergency insurance.
• Estimated Additional Costs: Passport $165, personal expenses $112, gratuity for driver $25, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0.
• Visa: Not required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: This field study involves considerable walking and hiking in areas of uneven ground and terrain, use of stairs, mountain roads which could induce motion sickness, high altitude and heights activities, limited food options for students with restricted diets or allergies, and no air conditioning at certain points.
  

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: February 12, 2024

Dubbed one of the most dynamic "Asian Little Dragons (or Tigers)," Singapore leads the way in economic development and urban planning, while Malaysia with its multiethnic population and multicultural society is one of the fast-growing countries in Southeast Asia. Students will get an opportunity to immerse in multi-religious and ethnically diverse environments in the metropolitans of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to learn various cultural traditions from China, India, Malay, as well as others. Students will also have opportunities to interact in-person with their counterparts at elite local universities, see a magnificent and environmentally-friendly cityscape in Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay, including the amazing Flower Dome and Cloud Forest in Singapore, as well as the KLCC Tower, Batu Caves, and Royal Selangor in Malaysia.

• Program Leaders: Yusheng Yao and Wenxian Zhang 
• Program Location: Singapore  
• Tentative Travel Dates: May 13 (arrival on May 15) – 24, 2024
• Credit: 2 - Credit / No Credit
• Prerequisites: None
• Course Requirements: Participation in program activities and discussions, journaling during the trip, and reflection paper at the end.
• Anticipated Number of Students: 20
• Estimated Program Fee: $3100
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, housing, some meals, on-site activities, on-site transportation, program administration, and emergency insurance. 
• Estimated Additional Costs: Round-trip airfare from FL $1800, meals not included $300, passport $165, personal expenses $112, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0. 
• Visa: Not required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: Substantial walking, walking on uneven ground or pavement, use of stairs required for some activities. Local laws in Malaysia are discriminative against those in the LGBTQI community, however we aim to ensure everyone feels comfortable to apply. Please talk to International Programs staff for more information.

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

Learn about community development and ecotourism in one of the most beautiful places in the world! In the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, we will be hiking to waterfalls, doing organic agriculture, visiting development projects, and immersing ourselves in the local culture. We will also take a world-class safari to Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater. We will end the trip on the beaches of Zanzibar, talking with ecotourist organizations and exploring the unique cultural aspects of the island. 

• Program Leaders:  Dan Chong
• Student Site Leader: Fatima Sani
• Program Location: Tanzania
• Tentative Travel Dates: May 15-31, 2024
• Credit: 2 – Credit/No Credit
• Prerequisites: 1-credit course for pre-trip meetings in Spring 2024
• Course Requirements: Attend meetings, complete readings, class presentation, 5-7 page written paper, 1-2 page cultural reflection.
• Anticipated Number of Students: 12
• Estimated Program Fee: $3,270
• Program Fee Includes: Housing, all meals/food, all on-site activities and on-site transportation. 
• Estimated Additional Costs: Round trip airfare from MCO $2000, visa $50 (or $100 cash required if acquired upon arrival), local tips $150, passport $165, personal expenses $150, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0. Note: CDC recommends several vaccines for travel to Tanzania, although none are currently required and are at the traveler's discretion. Costs vary depending upon individual insurance plans. 
• Visa: Required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: Students will eat fresh local food cooked by members of the community, which usually includes vegan options. If students have very specific dietary requirements, they may need to bring supplemental food, because there are not a wide range of options available. There will also be substantial walking, locations with no air conditioning, and days that include difficult physical labor and/or going on hikes. Additionally, some on-site travel may incur motion sickness, so students should be prepared with the appropriate medication or treatment. Lastly, local laws in Tanzania are discriminative against those in the LGBTQI community, however this does not exclude anyone from participating in this program. Please speak to International Programs staff for more information.

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2023

Two of the most influential theorists and practitioners of psychotherapy are Sigmund Freud and Viktor Frankl, both creating and refining their work in Vienna, Austria to develop methods to help those experiencing psychological distress. Students will travel for 8 days to Vienna to learn about the lives and culture that shaped their indelible mark on the field of psychology. Additionally, the course will explore the influence of history, religion and WWII on the experiences of each of these preeminent thinkers. In Vienna, activities will include exploring the city, studying the history of Vienna, visiting museums directly related to the work of Freud and Frankl, touring the universities in the area, studying the impact of WWII and the Jewish religion on each person as well as the broader culture, and visiting the Mauthausen concentration camp. We will then mimic Freud’s escape from Nazi-occupied Austria during WWII, traveling from Vienna to London. In London, we will spend a few days exploring the historical context that influenced Freud’s work and visiting the Freud museum in London. There will be many opportunities for reflection and discussion both during the field study trip and during the required 1-credit course occurring during the Spring 2024 semester.   

• Program Leaders: Andrew Luchner and Todd French
• Student Site Leader: Lara Arnoletti
• Program Location: Vienna, Austria and London, United Kingdom
• Tentative Travel Dates: May 28-June 8, 2024
• Credit: 2 – Credit/No Credit
• Prerequisites: 1 credit orientation course in Spring 2024
• Course Requirements: Attendance at orientation course dates and on-site required meetings; completion of assigned readings and video sources; presentations before and during travel; reflection assignments or journals; participation and preparation throughout. 
• Anticipated Number of Students: 12
• Estimated Program Fee: $3,300
• Program Fee Includes: Tuition, housing, breakfasts, all on-site activities, program administration, and emergency insurance.
• Estimated Additional Costs: Airfare $1,200, trains to and in London $268, lunches and dinners $200, airport transfers $65, passport $165, visa $8, personal expenses $150, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0.
• Visa: Not required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: The program will require significant amounts of walking, walking on uneven ground and stairs, strenuous activities, and transit that could induce motion sickness including one overnight on a train.

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.

Application Deadline: December 8, 2023

During the Global Health Field Study in Geneva, students will work with the World Health Organization (WHO) which is a specialized agency of the United Nations concerned with international public health. Students will interact with representatives from worldwide organizations, such as the International Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Students will also participate in an on-site excursion to Chillon Castle in Montreux, the Matterhorn and a glacier at the top of the Alps in Zermatt.  

• Program Leaders: Allen Johnson
• Program Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Tentative Travel Dates: June 13–21, 2024  
• Credit: 3 - Credit, Standard letter grade
• Prerequisites: Must be a current MPH student or MPH alumni.
• Course Requirements: 4 weeks on campus prior to departure includes classes, lectures, exams and a term paper. The final 9 days of the course are in the field in Geneva. For this portion of the course, students must write a daily reflection journal that includes the following sections: professional learning, cultural learning, and personal learning.    
• Anticipated Number of Students: 8-10
• Estimated Program Fee: $2,080
• Program Fee Includes: Housing, in-country transportation, program activities, breakfasts, welcome dinner, program administration, and emergency insurance. 
• Additional estimated costs: Tuition $2397 (or course audit fee if MPH alumni), round-trip airfare from FL $1,750, lunches and dinners $400, passport $165, personal expenses $155, federal loan fees $0, books/course materials $0, and professional licensure/certification $0. 
• Visa: Not required for US citizens.
• Special Notifications: There will be substantial walking, walking on uneven terrain, use of stairs, some strenuous activities, and activities that are in water and at high altitudes that could invoke a fear of heights.

* All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the final number of students, final costs and other considerations.

** Estimated costs for all programs are based on anticipated numbers of students, current exchange rates and commercial airfares. Costs are subject to change. Final prices will always be communicated to accepted students before they commit to the program.