Short Term Study Abroad

group shot of j-term Greece trip 2022-23

Faculty led courses 

Short-term programs are courses developed and led by Monmouth
faculty and staff that focus on one or two subject areas. These 10- to 14-day trips are great for all students; they give students the chance to learn and explore without the commitment of a full semester.

A variety of experiences

Short-term programs incorporate group activities into their curriculum and provide enriching global engagement. Past short-term classes have given students the chance to travel to rainforests, islands, deserts and cities to have hands-on lessons that can’t be taught inside a classroom. Each course offers course credit between 0.25-1 credit, depending on the program.

Flexibility means more trips

The trips offered are never the same and always once in a lifetime. Bonus: giving students an opportunity to enroll in many trips throughout their Monmouth experience. Each trip includes: roundtrip airfare from the departure hub; international health insurance; lodging; entrance fees for museums, cultural sites and events related to the course. Depending on the program, either all meals or some meals will be provided.

Terminology

  • J-Term (January term). It takes place in December typically after Christmas and students return before the start of classes.
  • May Term – is same as J-Term but takes place in May, usually after graduation.
    Morgan Bemis '21 meets a new found friend in Belize.

Past trips: 

  • Classical rhetoric in Greece
  • Cross Cultural Psychology of post-apartheid South Africa
  • Scottish writing and literature
  • The business of the wine industry in Australia
  • Ancient History and travel writing in Japan
  • The biodiversity of Belize and Guatemala
  • Cross Cultural Psychology in Italy

Upcoming courses

J-Term 2024

Dominican Republic - 12/29/23-1/12/24
With Dr. James Godde
Either .5 credit (BIO 290A) or 1 credit (BIO 290)*
Cost: $2,650

Highlights:

  • Spelunking in multiple caves
  • Ringing in the New Year with fireworks in Santo Domingo
  • Whitewater rafting the only navigable rapids in the Caribbean
  • Climbing Pico Durante, the highest peak in the Caribbean (10,164 ft)
  • Ascending and descending the 27 waterfalls of Damajagur
  • Boat tour of Parque Nacional los Haitises
  • Regular hiking excursions and beach visit

Course goals:

  • Gain an understanding of the history of the DR and what this teaches us about its current society.
  • Learn how European colonization has shaped the culture.
  • Appreciate the different ecosystems in the DR (coastline, urban, desert, highlands), what organisms are found there, as well as the effects of the landscape on the locals.

Included:

  • Round trip flight from Chicago, IL to Punta Cana, DR
  • Transportation while in the Dominican Republic
  • Lodging while abroad
  • Meals while abroad
  • Insurance for the duration of course
  • Tours, admission to locations and excursions

*If you only want to attend the trip, waitlist yourself for BIOL290A in J-term and you will receive .5 credits upon completion (you will need to keep a journal during and write a short paper after the trip). If you want this to count for your GL (Global Learning) requirement, also sign up for BIOL290 during the 2nd half of the fall semester, between the two courses- this will give you a full credit of GL. You are also welcome to take BIOL290 whether you need GL credit or not.

Required Forms

Short Term Study Aboard Contract

Emergency Contact Form

Short Term Study abroad College Approval

Study Abroad Program Cancellation and Refund Policy