Faculty-led programs typically range from 2-8 weeks and take place during the spring/summer semester. Students will travel and take courses with a GVSU faculty member and a group of students. Non-GVSU Students are welcome to apply.

Browse Programs

London, Paris, Munich, Bayeux, Bastogne, Nuremberg, and Strasbourg

Stand in the very places where history was made—following Winston Churchill's footsteps and the path of the 101st Airborne. This once-in-a-lifetime study abroad trip takes you across six countries and through iconic cities: London, Paris, Munich, Bayeux, Bastogne, Nuremberg, and Strasbourg.

Program Details for Allies in Action: Churchill, the U.S., and WWII Europe

Roseau, Dominica

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) proudly offers a unique Study Abroad program for students enrolled in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, in partnership with Therapy Abroad. This exceptional program provides students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on clinical service to children and adults with communication disorders in Dominica, earning a minimum of 40 clinical clock hours over a two-week period.

Beyond clinical practice, students will gain invaluable insights into culturally responsive SLP practice through the hybrid course SLP 515, which is completed prior to their time in Dominica. While in Dominica, students will further enrich their learning through cultural activities, seminars, guest speakers, and trips, all designed to deepen their understanding of the cultural context in which they are working.

Program Details for Dominica: Speech-Language Pathology

Paris & Brittany, France:

This 5½-week study abroad program begins in Paris, one of the world's greatest cities. After this iconic introduction to French culture, we will travel to Brittany, where you will attend personalized courses at a language school and spend afternoons exploring its rich Celtic heritage, regional traditions, and stunning coastal landscapes. This will provide students with a perspective on France that is both unique and deeply rooted in history.

As an optional addition to your language and cultural immersion, you can add a 3-credit photography course that invites you to explore France from a new perspective. Through guided practice in both technical and creative photography, you'll learn to capture the everyday moments, historic settings, and cultural nuances of your time in Paris and Brittany. From iconic cityscapes to the breathtaking coastal landscapes of Brittany, this course offers a deeper connection to French life—and a meaningful visual record of your journey.

Program Details for France: French Language and Culture

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany:

The Summer German language program offers six weeks of intensive language instruction and a seminar on the culture and history of Germany. Students spend five weeks in the medieval town of Schwäbisch Gmünd and participate in a weeklong excursion to various cities. Schwäbisch Gmünd is a medium sized town in eastern Baden-Württemberg near the Bavarian border with a history that dates back to a Roman settlement in the second century.

Program Details for Germany: Language and Culture

Cape Coast, Ghana

This study abroad program takes you to the coastal town of Cape Coast, Ghana, which provides a unique culture and geography to explore. Situated along the equator in sub-Saharan Africa, Cape Coast is located on the edge of a tropical rainforest and boasts beautiful beaches along the shores of the Gulf of Guinea. It is a fishing community with a rich culture and deep history. Students will spend approximately 10-20 hours in a Ghanaian village school field placement, tutoring students in culturally sustaining literacy practices, and leading students in a critical literacy project on one of four areas that examine depictions of African history and culture in children's literature: ecological, historical, economic, or cultural. Students will be based at the University of Cape Coast and will explore the culture and history of Ghana through experiences with traditional drumming and dancing, and excursions to various sites of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the rain forest, art markets, major metropolitan cities, as well as an African safari.

Program Details for Ghana: Teaching and Learning

Dublin & the West of Ireland

After arrival in Dublin, we will become familiar with the city highlights and venture out to the Wicklow Mountains. Plans are to meet with social workers and activists who advocate for social policies who will teach us about what it is like behind the scenes. We will then move to Galway City and again check in with the social activists in the community and learn about the challenges of a mid-size Irish city. We will then visit the Irish countryside, including one of the Aran Islands to learn about island life. Throughout the class we will live in inexpensive hotels and hostels and travel via a hired van and we will be expected to walk to sites everyday.

Program Details for Ireland: Social Work

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa

This program provides students at any level of Japanese language proficiency — including none! — the opportunity to experience Japanese culture with an emphasis on food. The six-week program begins in the metropolis of Tokyo, where we’ll visit markets, factories, museums, and other attractions in order to study one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. We’ll then spend a week volunteering on organic farms and living with Japanese families, before traveling to Kanazawa to explore regional differences. The program culminates with two weeks in the ancient capital of Kyoto, where we’ll learn how centuries-old traditions are melding with a new focus on sustainability. The language course focuses on putting Japanese into active use to complete real- world tasks. There will be opportunities to explore independently, and to sample amazing food throughout the program.

Program Details for Japan: Language and Food Culture

Kerry, Ireland

Students will be placed in classroom meeting their certification and academic needs to observe and assist with instruction. Students will be housed with host families, thereby immersing them in Ireland's culture. Students will be teaching in the local schools. There will also be several field trips planned for students to experience different parts of Ireland and it's history, including Dublin, Dingle, the Ring of Kerry tour.

Program Details for Ireland: Teacher Apprenticeship

Maastricht, Netherlands

This program allows English Education majors, Elementary Ed majors (CSAT & PCKET), and ESL minors to fulfill degree requirements in Maastricht— a vibrant university town in southern Netherlands—while participating in field placements in Dutch international or bilingual schools.

Program Details for Netherlands: English Education in Maastricht

Belfast & Derry, Northern Ireland

While sharing much with its Republic of Ireland neighbor, the political, social and historical features of Northern Ireland make it strikingly different. These important features are the basis for exploration during this program.

Program Details for Northern Ireland (United Kingdom): Peace, Conflict, and Reconciliation

Edinburgh

Gain professional researching and writing experience with Scottish charities while taking action to help them address social problems in Scotland. Explore rich cultural history of Scotland through field trips, which may include a Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, National Museum of Scotland, King Arthur’s Seat, Stirling, and Glasgow.

Program Details for Scotland: Writing

Hoedspruit (Kruger National Park), South Africa

This program provides students with field-based international experiences in natural resource and sustainability issues including an appreciation of the relationships between South African ecology, culture, and physical environment. Gain field-based experience in the ecology, wildlife, and culture of South Africa

Program Details for South Africa: Wildlife Biology

Bilbao, Barcelona, and San Sebastian, Spain

This course offers a unique opportunity to learn about the psychology, history and culture of Spain's bilingual regions: Catalonia and Basque Country. The 3-week Spain trip begins in Barcelona in late May, a stimulating city with stunning modern art and architecture. Then, early June is the ideal time to experience the Basque cities of Bilbao and San Sebastian, which feature beautiful mountain and ocean vistas, world-famous food, and fascinating cultural and linguistic histories

Program Details for Spain: The Psychology of Bilingualism

Sevilla

Home to the Plaza de España, Alcázar castle and some of the best flamenco dancing in the world; this program in Seville offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture. This program allows you to immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture. Seville is one of the top destinations for study abroad in Spain.

Program Details for Spain: Language and Culture

Zurich, Switzerland

This program is a two-way exchange of a cohort group of students from both GVSU and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). A group of 10-12 students from GVSU travel for an intense two-week course in Machine Learning and Data Engineering. In that course GVSU students are joined by 10-12 students from ZHAW. Both groups of students then return to Allendale for a two-week course in Deep Learning and Visualization. In addition to lectures and lab time, there will be field trips to the unique geographic and cultural experiences of the country. Students will have the opportunity to hike the Swiss Alps and visit unique sites related to the discipline.

Program Details for Switzerland: Computing and Information Systems

Arusha, Tanzania

You will explore the rich culture and beauty of Tanzania while teaching and studying issues in education in the U.S. and Tanzania. You will learn from and interact with teachers and students in a culture different than your own. A 4-day safari, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, touring a coffee plantation and learning Swahili are all part of this incredible experience.

Program Details for Tanzania: Teaching, Learning, and Culture

London, United Kingdom

This program will offer you the opportunity to explore the rich diversity of global communication practices through the development of research skills in the heart of London. You will practice field research skills (such as observation, survey techniques, and interviewing) through field trips to some of London's most well-recognized sites including the Tower of London and the British Museum. You'll also investigate communication rituals- from ancient cultures to contemporary communities-we'll work to understand the symbolic practices that shape meaning in the UK with visits to sites such as Stonehenge.

Program Details for United Kingdom: Communications

London, United Kingdom

From the electrifying Premier League and Women's Super League to the vibrancy of grassroots teams, this London-based program explores the many ways that soccer shapes British culture and society while also being deeply influenced by it.

Program Details for United Kingdom: Soccer and Society