Current Faculty-Led International Immersion Programs
Where will your next Immersion program take you?
Curious about faculty-led international immersion programs? Check out the below video highlighting the Central European Travel Seminar faculty-led immersion program. See where you can go this year to learn more about the world!
Program Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Program Dates: Summer, 2025: DATES: May 20 - June 7, 2025
Target Student Population: Program will accept at least 12 students. All students are welcome. Students with interests in LAS, Spanish, and History are strongly encouraged to apply.
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Dr. Kati Barahona-López
Corresponding Course: LAS 390: Latin American Studies Immersion Experience (3 credits)
Additional Attributes: R2
Abstract: This faculty-led international Immersion program introduces students to contemporary Argentina and the many issues facing the country and culture. Experiences on the program will include visits to various museums--including one to better understand the legacy of the "Dirty War," day trips to wineries as Mendoza is the "Napa Valley" of South America, learning about human rights, dancing the tango, engaging in discussions with local university students, participating in a cooking class to gain greater insight into the history and culture of Argentine cuisine, a hike in the Andes, and much, much more.
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Program Location: Berlin, Germany; Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary; Krakow, Poland
Program Dates: Summer 2025: May 22-June 18, 2025
Target Student Population: Program will accept 21 students. All students are welcome. The focus for CETS 2025 will be Art, Political Science, History, and much more
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Professors Jill Olm, Damir Kovacevic, and Maggie Weber
Corresponding Courses: Required Spring Prep Course: IDIS 339 (3 credits: Class days and times during Spring Semester TBD); Summer Travel Seminar in Europe: IDIS 340 (3 credits)
Additional Attributes: R2, I1
Abstract: This interdisciplinary faculty-led international Immersion program explores the history, arts, politics, music, geography, economics, identity, and challenges facing this historically complex and dynamic region. The program takes place in 5 countries, traveling by train from city to city. Students will be exposed to wide variety of customs, cultures, languages, and more by viewing Central Europe from a wide variety of perspectives. Students may stay after the program and continue to travel Europe on their own.
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Program Location: London and Winchester, England; Cardiff, Wales; Liverpool, England; Edinburgh, Scotland (program locations are tentative)
Program Dates: Summer 2025: May 22-June 18, 2025 (dates are tentative)
Target Student Population: Program will accept approximately 12 students. All students are welcome. History students are strongly encouraged to apply!
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Professors Patricia Turner and John Mann
Corresponding Courses: HISTORY 401 / 601: Public History in Great Britian
Additional Attributes: R2, R3
Abstract: This course will begin in London, England—the capital of the United Kingdom and a city steeped in history with countless world-class museums and historical sites, providing an engaging entrée into British public history. The historic University of Winchester (England), a long-standing partner institution of UW-Eau Claire, provides access to venerated spaces in the English countryside such as Stonehenge. Cardiff is the capital of Wales and home to an incredible mix of castles and cathedrals. Liverpool is an old mercantile city built on trade and industry—of which the slave trade played an essential role in its economic success. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland—noted for its iconic castle that overlooks the city.
Program Locations: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima
Program Dates: Summer 2025; July 6-19, 2025
Target Student Population: Program will accept approximately 12 students. Open to all students.
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Professors Marquell Johnson, Nick Beltz, and Saori Braun (program consultant)
Corresponding Courses: KINS495: Directed Study in Kinesiology (1 credit)
Additional Attributes: R2
Abstract: This two-week faculty-led international Immersion program to Japan will be led by UW-Eau Claire Kinesiology professors, Dr. Marquell Johnson and Dr. Nick Beltz. After several preparation sessions during the spring semester, the program will welcome students to experience sports, history, and culture through a uniquely Japanese perspective. The program also provides students the chance to participate in traditional Japanese sports and interact with local Japanese students, thus improving one’s communication skills in linguistically and culturally diverse settings. The program will take place in a variety of cities throughout Japan including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima--with a visit to experience the horrific legacy of the World War II nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.
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Program Locations: Bordeaux, Saint‐Jean‐Pied‐de‐Port, France; Pamplona, Sarria, Santiago, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal.
Program Dates: 21 Days: May 21 to June 10, 2025 (dates are tentative)
Target Student Population: Program will accept 12 students. Open to all students; Spanish majors / minors / certificates are strongly encouraged to participate. (No foreign language requirement)
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Chia-Yu Hsu and Jim Rybicki
Corresponding Courses: IDIS 333: Faculty-Led International Interdisciplinary Immersion Experience (3 credits).
Additional Attributes: R2 and I1
Abstract: This immersion experience on the “French Way” of the Camino de Santiago--a historical walking pilgrimage route from Southwestern France to Santiago, Spain, provides students with the opportunity to not only participate on the 114 kilometer (70+ miles) walk from Sarria, Spain to Santiago, Spain, but to understand, recognize, and critique the systems of power that are deeply embedded—and often overlooked—within the Camino. Through site visits along the “French Way,” actually walking 114 kilometers of the Camino, and interacting with fellow pilgrims, students will not only experience Spanish culture, but also acquire a more critical lens of the Camino to comprehend the deeply embedded meanings, symbolism, and representations and actions of power, nationalism, racism, sexism, and inequality that have shaped the Camino and its revered positionality within Western culture.
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Program Locations: Taipei, Tainan, and Taitung Taiwan
Program Dates: Summer 2025; May 21- June 10, 2025 (dates are tentative)
Target Student Population: Program will accept approximately 10-12 students. Open to all students.
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Professors Der-Fa Lu and Lorraine Smith
Corresponding Courses: N377: International Dimension of Health Care (1 credit)
Additional Attributes: R2
Abstract: This three-week faculty-led international Immersion program to Taiwan allows students to engage in learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine and Holistic Nursing. Nursing students have no formal courses to address these two topics but will learn more about global and cross culture health topics. The goals of this immersion program are to enable students to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of principles of traditional Chinese medicine 2. Observe integrative medicine practice at different clinical settings within hospitals and clinics. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of holistic nursing practice at a catholic hospital in rural Taiwan, and 4. Immerse themselves in Chinese / Taiwanese cultural activities. This program includes deep, cognitively rigorous and interculturally-engaged experiences; an interdisciplinary, collaborative, and innovative model; a meaningful and positive impact on the people and places of the host community; and intentional engagement with the host community.
Program Locations: Hanoi, Vietnam; Kunming and Jinping, China; Luang Prabang, Laos; Chiang Mai, Thailand
Program Dates: Summer 2025; May 20th to June 14th (dates are tentative).
Target Student Population: Program will accept 12 students. Hmong Studies majors / minors / certs are encouraged to apply. But open to all!
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Jesse Yang, Khong Meng Her, and Dr. Jeff DeGrave
Corresponding Course: HMNS 342: International Travel Seminar (1 credit)
Additional Attributes: R2, 30 hours of service learning
Abstract: This 4-week international immersion will allow students to learn about Hmong culture in Southeast Asia from a variety of perspectives and experiences. This multi-country program will take students to Hmong communities in Northern Vietnam (Sa Pa), Southern China (Kunming and Jinping), Central Laos (Luang Prabang), and Northern Thailand (Chang Mai). These four countries are home to four of the five largest Hmong populations in the world: 1. China 2. Vietnam 3. Laos 4. United States and 5. Thailand. Students will connect the experiences of Hmong people in Southeast Asia with Hmong people in the United States, observe everyday life in Hmong villages, and understand contemporary Hmong issues in each region. Students will observe a process of cultural production where local Hmong communities actively create and reproduce representations of Hmong culture for distribution and consumption globally. The program will begin in Hanoi, Vietnam and travel to highland Hmong communities, with the journey ending in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Program Locations: San José, San Vito, La Casona Indigenous Territory, Manuel Antonio National Park
Program Dates: January 6, 2025 through January 17, 2025
Target Student Population: Program will accept up to 12 students. All students are welcome. Students with interests in LAS, Spanish, Public Health, American Indian Studies, Social Justice, Geography, History, Biology, and Environmental Studies / Sustainability are strongly encouraged to apply.
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Caitlin Suginaka and Dr. Briana Rockler
Corresponding Course: None (this program is not credit bearing)
Certificates: Pillars of Global Health and a participation certificate from the University of Peace and the Inter-American Center of Global Health
Additional Attributes: R2
Abstract: This faculty-led international Immersion program to Costa Rica, Engaging in Global Health in Costa Rica provides students the opportunity to explore socio-cultural issues, health care systems, health determinants, and health outcomes in Costa Rica, while practicing their Spanish language skills. This program is designed for students from disciplines that have an interest in health in a global context and / or Latin America. Costa Rica provides its citizens with universal health care coverage and offers some of the highest quality health care in Latin America. Students will participate in excursions to unique health and community-based organizations, with further opportunities to enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty, hospitality, and culture.
Program Locations: Antigua, San Miguel Escobar, San Lucas Toliman
Program Dates: December 28, 2024 through January 11, 2025 (Tentatively)
Target Student Population: Program will accept up to 20 students. All students are welcome. Students with interests in LAS, Spanish, American Indian Studies, Social Justice, Geography, History, Biology, and Environmental Studies / Sustainability are strongly encouraged to apply.
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Dr. Jeff DeGrave and Dr. Kati Barahona-López
Corresponding Course: None (no course credits are earned on this program)
Additional Attributes: R2, 30 hours of service-learning
Abstract: This faculty-led international Immersion program to Guatemala allows students to gain greater understanding of institutions of power on a global scale. The program is administered through our on-site partner, De La Gente--a "fair trade" (direct trade) social and environmental justice oriented coffee cooperative. Students will see and experience, first-hand, how our decisions on which products we purchase here in the U.S. can and do impact the lives others around the world--both positively and negatively. Students will also participate directly with the Ij'atz indigenous community for the service-learning project to help provide much needed labor to enhance their daily lives.
Program Locations: New Delhi and Agra, India
Program Dates: January 5-20, 2025 (Depart US on January 3)
Target Student Population: Program will accept 12 students. Business majors / minors / certs are encouraged to apply. But open to all!
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Dr. Josephine Kipgen and Dr. Teresa Sanislo
Corresponding Course: WGSS 422: Global Feminisms (3 credits)
Additional Attributes: R2
Abstract: Through UW-Eau Claire’s Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, this faculty-led international Immersion program connects UWEC students with Indian students, faculty, and staff at one of the top-ranked colleges of India, Miranda House College (University of Delhi), to learn about women’s and gender issues in relation to Indian law and public policy. Teams of students from both institutions will work together with local NGOs, visiting scholars, and grassroots organizations. Field trips will include visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Agra Fort, and India Gate.
Program Locations: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket, Thailand
Program Dates: January 3-16, 2025 (Depart US on January 1)
Target Student Population: Program will accept 10 students. Business majors / minors / certs are encouraged to apply. But open to all!
Faculty / Staff Leader(s): Dr. Longzhu Dong and Dr. Brent Opall
Corresponding Course: INTB 363: International Business (3 credits)
Additional Attributes: R2, I1
Abstract: This faculty-led international Immersion program to Thailand operates through a strong collaboration with our on-site partner, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), located in Chiang Rai, Thailand. During this program, students will visit four cities (Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket), tour more than a dozen companies of different sizes and in different industries, and have a wide variety of cultural visits including historic sites and museums. Through the many company tours, students will not only gain first-hand experience on how businesses are done in a different country, but also will attend formal presentations provided by the host companies discussing their challenges and opportunities in today’s global business environment. The lessons learned in Thailand will allow students to learn about and engage with different cultural elements from the various Thai sub-cultures, as well as demonstrate knowledge about the world’s diverse cultures, environments, practices, and values.