As an Biological, Environmental and Physical Sciences Exploratory major or minor, you can:

• Develop cross cultural communication skills and competencies through experiential learning.
• Take courses not offered at UConn in niche areas of interest.
• Select programs that will allow for higher level science credit as you decide your major.
• Participate in an internship for academic credit or learning experientially through projects or extracurriculars.

How will #UConnChangeYourWorld

These programs are recommended based on your academic interests but students can explore additional approved program options via the Program Search.

Faculty-Led:

Summer Food and Revolution: The Cuban Experience
Havana, Cuba

The course will cover Cuba’s remarkable history pertaining to agricultural production and food security. During a time called the “special period,” Cuba experienced a severe food crisis due to the collapse of trade relations with the former Soviet Union and the ongoing U.S. trade embargo. Cuban society had to develop local solutions to meet the needs of agricultural inputs and to improve its own food production. As a result, efforts in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and a strong development of biological controls for pest management have become a hallmark of Cuban agriculture.

Mediterranean Diet and Tuscan Cuisine in Florence 
Florence, Italy
This program is designed for undergraduate and students with an interest in food, nutrition, dietetics, or other health related fields. Priority will be given to students with at least one undergraduate nutrition, food, or health course. While a student is living in Florence, shopping at the local markets, eating in the restaurants, they will be totally immersed in the Italian food culture. The students will use their own senses in Italy, to see, smell, and taste the differences in the foods of Italy versus the foods in the United States. 

Summer Landscape Form and Urban Design in Europe
This program takes place in 6 countries:  Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Austria.

This foreign study course is designed for all majors. Students interested in Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development are encouraged to apply. This program allows you to experience living in European cities while exposing you to societal forces that guide land use patterns in the cities and towns of 6 countries. Utilizing an experiential learning process, we will guide the student’s acquisition of knowledge through lectures, site visits and design projects to develop visual and communication skills as well as hone an individual land ethic and an understanding of ‘sustainable development’.

Water Systems of Rome: Ancient to Modern
Rome, Italy
The major objective of this course is to enhance students’ understanding of human interactions with the environment in the development of modern municipal water systems. The development of modern municipal water systems, going from private sources that provide water to a few, to large scale public sources that gather water from huge watersheds to satisfy the thirst of millions, perhaps best exemplifies the major concepts of environmental history.  That is, the study of human interaction with the natural world over time. 

Exchange:
Ben Gurion University of the Negav
Beershba, Israel
A variety of courses are offered in Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, and other academic areas, taught in English. Exchange students are also welcome to apply to a pre-semester Intensive Hebrew Ulpan at an additional cost. 

Cardiff University
Cardiff, Wales, UK
A comprehensive university that offers Chemistry, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Astronomy, and Biosciences coursework. The university is a leading research university with a global reputation and a member of the Russell Group, an association of 20 elite universities in the U.K. 

Affiliated:
AIFS Study Abroad in the Galapagos
Quito, Ecuador
Study environmental science at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), a leader in education, research, creativity and entrepreneurship in Latin America. During this short-term program, students will receive 3-credits for the course Ecosystems and Biodiversity in the Galapagos. As part of the course students will also travel by speedboat to Santa Cruz, the island with the largest population of all the Galápagos and the most developed due to its history of human settlement and agriculture which began in the 20th century. 

Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Ketura, Israel
The Arava Institute is at the forefront of environmental studies and research in the Middle East. Students will have an opportunity to explore a range of environmental issues from an exceptional transboundary and interdisciplinary perspective. Courses focus on the areas of water management, renewable energy, ecology, sustainable agriculture, environmental politics, and more.

KEI in Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
Students will study at Thailand’s top university with courses available in Environment: Science, Policy & Management, Life Science & Ecology, Physical Science and other course areas that fulfill plan of study needs for elective and content area credits.

KEI Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Located at the mouth of the Gulf, only an hour drive from Dubai, RAK is an ideal location for students who want be immersed in Arabic culture yet have easy access to Dubai, white sandy beaches, majestic Hajjar Mountains, expansive desert and sands dunes. There are many courses available, including those in Biology, Biotechnology, Physical Science, Mircobiology and Physics.

OTS African Ecology and Conservation in South Africa
Skukuza, South Africa with other locations included in the program itinerary.
Students will be exposed to the country’s vast cultural and ecological diversity as they travel to various regions that represent distinct biomes in South Africa. The program is comprised of four core courses, aligned for a total of 16 UConn credits for the semester. Visit the program brochure to learn more about the courses!

OTS: Tropical Biology on a Changing Planet
Multiple locations, Costa Rica
The semester-long program allows students to learn through four interconnected courses that introduce you to biomes across Costa Rica, you will become versed in the skills and knowledge necessary to address contemporary issues in conservation and ecology. You will focus on tropical ecology, environmental preservation, research skills, and Spanish in OTS’ dynamic research stations, La Selva, Palo Verde, and Las Cruces, as well as other forest and coastal sites.

OTS: Summer Tropical Biology in Costa Rica
Multiple locations, Costa Rica
The summer course in tropical biology is fast-paced and will engage you in some of the most critical issues facing tropical biodiversity and ecosystems today. During the four-weeks of the course, you will study in OTS’ three field stations in Costa Rica, giving you access to highly threatened tropical dry forests, lowland wet forests, and primary and secondary premontane wet forests. You’ll become familiar with the natural history of these diverse sites and engage in research under the mentorship of experts working at the field sites. Students will earn 4 credits for the following: EEB/NRE 4390 Fundamentals of Tropical Biology.

OTS: Summer Global Health Issues in South Africa
Multiple locations, South Africa
This program will allow you to explore a range of health issues and medical practices in South Africa through an interdisciplinary lens. An integrated learning model which incorporates both classroom and field instruction will help you understand the fundamental principle of health as a human rights issue. Credit earned is AH 4660: Global Health Issues in South Africa (4 credits).

University of Edinburgh Summer Chemistry on Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland
Students will earn credit for CHEM 3189 (Undergraduate Research) 3 credits and CHEM 3199 (Independent Study) 3 credits. At the end of the summer, students will write a summary report on the work undertaken and give an oral presentation of the research before a small audience.

Finances are an integral part of the program selection and planning process. Students should research scholarships early to meet application deadlines and request essay feedback from advisors and the Writing Center.

Featured Scholarships: Coming soon!

To learn more and discover other financial opportunities to fund your Experiential Global Learning opportunity, visit our scholarships page.