UROC - International Field-based Experiences

Students who choose the International Field-Based Experience Option can participate in an International Community Placement Experience or Research-Focused Program. 

International Community Placement

Communities, NGOs and sustainable projects need a wide range of support efforts, so there are opportunities for students of all majors to apply and enhance their skills and knowledge in any community sector of their interest.

Examples:

  • Your major is Computer Science and your community sector of interest is Women’s Empowerment.
  • Your major is Biology Pre-Med and your community sector of interest is Youth Development.
  • Overview: Students will participate for 20-30 hrs/week in their respective position, in their respective field, which vary across all majors. Short term programs last between 4-8 weeks. Through Service-Learning, students will merge the concept of civic responsibility and community-based learning. By partnering students with community-based organizations and following a structured, reflection-based curriculum, participants develop intercultural and leadership skills in a real-world context while learning how local experts are addressing issues with the available resources.
  • Terms: Summer
  • Locations: Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, and South Africa
  • Credits: 3

Student Experiences

Placement: San Jose, Costa Rica, Butterfly categorization project for a public recreation park dedicated to protecting the biodiversity of Costa Rica.

  • Major: Biology
  • Experience: ”Overall, my time in San José was one of the greatest experiences of my life! Not only did I get to improve my language skills, but I also felt like I got to completely immerse myself in Costa Rican culture … By participating in service-learning, you are truly able to interact with locals and get the best out of studying abroad. I made amazing friends in Costa Rica and relationships that will last a lifetime!” 

Placement: Galway, Ireland, A community radio station leading a bi-weekly segment on environmental issues. 

  • Major: Communications & Critical Thinking
  • Experience: “A community placement experience was the perfect choice for me and I didn't even know what it was when I first applied to participate. I would recommend it to anyone looking into going abroad with a desire to experience the culture on a deeper level.”

Research-Focused Programs

International research opportunities combine a study abroad experience with the opportunity to join a research team and participate in an ongoing investigation at various sites around the globe. Students gain hands on research experience in a project of their choice within their field of study, under direct supervision of professors and other academic staff. In some programs, students can document their research in a paper of publishable quality.

School For Field Studies

  • Description: SFS envisions a sustainable world where good science informs good policy, and communities are inspired to work together in finding creative solutions to the critical environmental problems of our time. As an SFS student you’ll be out in diverse and incredible ecosystems, participating in groundbreaking research and translating what you’ve learned into impactful action.
  • Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Credits: 6 - 16 (summer/Semester)

School For International Training

  • Description: SIT has been providing immersive, field-based study abroad programs for undergraduates for more than 50 years. SIT offers more than 70 programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs in multiple locations. In addition to its rich history, SIT Study Abroad has a number of unique qualities that make it an ideal choice for an extraordinary, transformative study abroad experience.
  • Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Credits: 6 - 18 (Summer/Semester)