Peter Greenberg: Taking Courses Abroad and in the United States

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2004-04-28

Q: Where could we find information to travel and to take courses in places affiliated with colleges and universities? This would include places in the States and abroad.
-Lea, New York, N.Y.

A: Hi Lea,

There are many Web sites that cater to what you are seeking. Try looking at Transitions Abroad (http://www.transitionsabroad.com/). Here you can find short to long programs at established universities abroad. You can learn everything from the local language to the local culture. 

Some programs of interest may include the University of Cambridge International Summer Schools (http://www.cont-ed.cam.ac.uk/intsummer/) at the University of Cambridge, England. The programs range from 10 days to six weeks, and anyone over 18 with a good handle on English is allowed to apply to the program. Courses range from medieval studies to Shakespeare to art history, so there is no lack of interesting classes for you to take. However, if you can’t decide, you can always take an interdisciplinary program, which brings various disciplines together, including literature, history, international relations, and philosophy.

If you are more the outdoors type, consider taking a game-ranger course at the Southern African Wildlife College (http://www.wildlifecollege.org.za/). The six-month program is geared toward a career in conservation, and you will learn a plethora of information about ecology, practical bush skills, and vegetation and animal management. Situated in an environment forming part of the Greater Kruger National Park, this is a great way to learn more about the natural terrain of Africa with a more hands on approach.

You can also enjoy a vacation with the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Semester in Alaska (http://www.nols.edu/courses/locations/alaska/aksemester.shtml?gad=COKrx_IFEggOLC9gMsa7-xjS-L3-AyC6t5Q_). Although the average age of the students is 20 years old, anyone older than 17 is welcome to apply. Learn about the biology and environment of Alaska, and develop skills in communications. This program is open to international and American students, giving you a richer cultural experience. Check out the Study Abroad Directory (http://www.studyabroaddirectory.com/) for more United States- centered programs.

If you’d like to learn a language by living in a country where it is spoken, you might be interested in going to a language school abroad. First Step World (http://www.firststepworld.com/) offers a Spanish course in Sucre, Bolivia, at the local university. The city, which was declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO, is full of colonial architecture and rich history.