Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Types of Programs

HPU offers two unique types of faculty-led study abroad courses: Global Experience courses and Maymester courses.

Global Experience courses are semester-long (Fall or Spring) courses taught on campus at HPU with a two-week international travel component at the end of the semester. Your travel abroad features customized academic activities that link real-world experiences to what you’ve been learning in the classroom prior to departure. All Global Experience courses are worth 4 credits.

Maymester courses are month-long, self-contained, 4-credit courses generally taught entirely while abroad. Travel takes place in May and June. Think of the Maymester as a mini-semester. Instead of being spread out over 4 months, Maymester courses are completed in only 4 weeks. Yes, the coursework is intensive, but Maymester study abroad courses combine outside experiential activities with traditional classroom learning to provide a unique and enjoyable academic journey.

Application & Selection

Faculty-led programs (Maymester and Global Experience) are announced annually in conjunction with the HPU Study Abroad Fair in October. Applications are opened at that time, as well. The application deadline is usually November 15. Be sure to check the program’s brochure to verify the accurate application deadline!

The Office of Global Education seeks to make faculty-led study abroad accessible to students. However, we realize that limitations on student placements exist for each program. Because placement at the majority of HPU faculty-led programs may become competitive (meaning that we receive more qualified applications than the maximum number of students the program can support), students are advised to consider multiple programs that may meet their academic needs or personal interests. In the event that students are not able to be accepted into their top-choice program, their application may be considered for their relevant, alternate option(s).

Please note that the stated minimum application requirements are the minimum standards considered to review an application for study abroad. A student who is qualified to apply to the program is not guaranteed placement on that program.

All applications are hosted online in HPU’s Study Abroad Portal powered by ViaTRM. When applying, you will be able to note one or more back-up programs should your preferred program become competitive and fill.

Please review The Application Process for more information.

Past Global Experience & Maymester Programs

For many years, High Point University students and faculty have traveled around the globe on exciting short-term, faculty-led study programs. Past Global Experience and Maymester courses include:

2023-2024 Academic Year

• Auspicious Environments in Japan | A Maymester Course to Japan
• Event Management: Meetings, Conferences & Special Events | A Maymester Course to Germany
• Exploring Taiwan: Language, Culture & People in a Globalized World | A Global Experience course to Taiwan
• French Language & Finance | A Maymester Course to France
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Japan | A Maymester Course to Japan
• Global Business | A Maymester Course to Australia
• Global Business Vietnam: Supply Chain Management | A Global Experience course to Vietnam
• Global Hospitality Leadership | A Maymester Course to British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies
• Global Sports Journalism | A Global Experience course to the United Kingdom
• The Grand Tour in Italy: Drawing and Art, Learning from the Masters | A Global Experience course to Italy
• History in London: The Infamous Tudor Dynasty | A Maymester Course to the United Kingdom
• Holy Land – Geography, History & Theology in the Gospels and Second Temple Judaism | A Global Experience course to Israel and Palestine
• Honors Aesthetic Inquiry: Prague | A Maymester Course to Czech Republic
• Intermediate Spanish | A Maymester Course to Spain
• Life Across Space and Time: Global Biodiversity and Conservation in Australia | A Global Experience course to Australia
• Luxury Management | A Global Experience course to France and Italy
• Marketing in Spain | A Maymester Course to Spain
• Spanish Language and Culture in Sevilla | A Maymester Course to Spain
• Sport and Society | A Global Experience course to Greece

2022-2023 Academic Year

• Education and Business at Harlaxton Manor (England) | A Maymester Course to the United Kingdom
• Event Management: European Fairs and Festivals | A Maymester Course to Belgium,  Netherlands & the United Kingdom
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Japan | A Maymester Course to Japan
• The Grand Tour in Italy: Drawing and Art, Learning from the Masters | A Global Experience course to Italy
• Honors Aesthetic Inquiry: Prague | A Maymester Course to Czech Republic
• International Strategic Communication in Australia | A Global Experience course to Australia
• Life Across Space and Time: Global Biodiversity and Conservation in Australia | A Global Experience course to Australia
• Literary Scotland | A Maymester Course to United Kingdom
• Marketing in Spain | A Maymester Course to Spain
• Music, History, and Healthcare Management in London | A Maymester Course to the United Kingdom
• Paris: French Language & Finance | A Maymester Course to France
• Sicily: The Crossroads of the Mediterranean | A Maymester Course to Italy
• Spanish Language and Culture in Sevilla | A Maymester Course to Spain
• Sport and Society in Ireland and the U.K. | A Global Experience course to Ireland & the United Kingdom
• Swiss Hospitality Management | A Maymester Course to Switzerland 

2021-2022 Academic Year

• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Japan | Japan
• Global Business: Exploring European Markets and Economies | Germany, France & Netherlands
• Holy Land: History & Theology in the Gospels and Second Temple Judaism | Israel
• Shakespeare in Performance | United Kingdom
• The Grand Tour in Italy: Drawing and Art, Learning from the Masters | Italy
• The Hidden Face of Ecuador | Ecuador & the Galapagos
• Explorations of France | France
• Humanities in London | United Kingdom
• Marketing in Spain | Spain
• Placing Sicily: The Crossroads of the Mediterranean | Italy

2019-2020 Academic Year

• Becoming Modern: Breakthroughs in Scandinavian Literature, Film, and Theatre | Denmark, Norway & Sweden
• Buddhism and Culture in Southeast Asia | Laos, Thailand & Vietnam
• Exercise Science at Altitude: Nepal | Nepal
• Explorations of France | France
• Exploring China | China
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Japan | Japan
• Global Business: Exploring European Markets and Economies | France, Ireland, Netherlands & United Kingdom 
• History on the Road: War in the Land of Israel | Israel
• Holy Land: Geography, History & Theology in the Gospels and Second Temple Judaism | Israel
• Intermediate Spanish in Salamanca | Spain
• Life Across Space and Time: Global Biodiversity and Conservation in Australia | Australia
• Marketing in Spain | Spain
• Placing Sicily: The Crossroads of the Mediterranean | Italy
• Power & Politics Inside the Beltway: Washington D.C. | USA
• Spanish Culture: Past and Present | Spain
• The Grand Tour in Italy: Drawing and Art, Learning from the Masters | Italy 

2018-2019 Academic Year

• A Tale of Three Cities: Retail Design & Merchandising in New York, London & Paris | USA, England & France
• Animal Behavior in Southern Africa | South Africa & Swaziland
• Buddhism and Culture in Southeast Asia | Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
• Chile in a Time of Transformation | Chile
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Tokyo | Japan
• Exercise Science at High Altitude | Nepal
• Experiencing Australian Education | Australia
• Exploring China | China
• Global Biodiversity and Conservation in Queensland & Tasmania | Australia
• Global Business: Exploring the Markets and Economies of Central Europe | Austria, Germany, Czech Republic & Poland
• The Global Workplace | Denmark & Germany
• The Grand Tour in Italy | Italy
• Intercultural Communication: How Italian Products are Promoted Globally | Italy
• Intermediate Spanish in Salamanca | Spain
• Literary Scotland | Scotland
• Marketing in Spain | Spain
• Placing Sicily: The Crossroads of the Mediterranean | Italy

2017-2018 Academic Year

• Chinese Culture Exposure & Language Immersion | China
• Cross-Cultural Psychology |  Italy
• Cutting Edge Exercise Physiology | USA
• Explorations of France | France
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Tokyo | Japan
• Global Business | Belgium, Germany & the United Kingdom
• Grand Tour in Italy | Italy
• Hidden Face of Ecuador: Uncovering its Bio- and Cultural Diversity | Ecuador & the Galapagos
• Holy Land: Geography, History, and Theology in the Gospels | Israel
• Intercultural Competence in the Workplace: a Tour of Danish/German Relations | Denmark & Germany
• Intermediate Spanish in Costa Rica | Costa Rica
• Marketing in Spain | Spain
• Modern Furniture Design: Bauhaus to Today | Denmark & Sweden
• Placing Sicily: The Crossroads of the Mediterranean | Italy
• Power and Politics in D.C. | USA
• Revolution in Paris: Art at the Turn of Two Centuries | France
• Scandinavian Literature, Theatre, and Film | Denmark, Sweden & Norway
• Shakespeare in Performance | UK
• Spanish Culture: Past and Present | Spain

2016-2017 Academic Year

• An Australian Education Experience | Australia
• Animal Behavior in South Africa | South Africa
• Chinese Language & Culture | China
• Cross-Cultural Psychology | France, Italy & Switzerland
• Cutting Edge Exercise Physiology | Colorado, USA
• Food & Culture in Japan | Japan
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Tokyo | Japan
• Global Business | UK, Netherlands, Belgium & Germany
• The Grand Tour in Italy | Italy
• Intermediate Spanish in Costa Rica | Costa Rica
• Marketing in Spain | Spain
• Modern Furniture Design in Denmark & Sweden | Denmark & Sweden
• Revolution In Paris: Documentary Photography | France

2015-2016 Academic Year

• Australian Education Experience | Australia
• Contemporary Ireland | Ireland
• Cutting Edge Exercise Physiology | Massachusetts, USA
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Tokyo | Japan
• Global Business | Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands & the United Kingdom
• Grand Tour in Italy | Italy
• Intermediate Spanish in Costa Rica | Costa Rica
• Literary Scotland | Scotland
• Modern Furniture Design in Denmark & Sweden | Denmark & Sweden
• Power & Politics in D.C. | Washington, D.C., USA
• Revolution in Paris: Art at the Turn of Two Centuries | France
• Spanish Culture: Past & Present | Spain

2014-2015 Academic Year

• Business in Europe | Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands & the United Kingdom
• Chile in a Time of Transformation: A Cultural Challenge | Chile
• Chinese Language and Culture | China
• Contemporary Ireland | Ireland
• Cross-Cultural Psychology | Spain, Morocco & Portugal
• Cutting Edge Exercise Physiology | California, USA
• Following the Buddha Through India | India & Nepal
• The Grand Tour: Drawing the Masters | Italy
• Planet Girth: New Zealand | New Zealand
• Revolution in Paris: Art at the Turn of Two Centuries | France
• Shakespeare in Performance | the United Kingdom

2013-2014 Academic Year

• An American Celebration of Music in Hungary, Czech Republic & Austria | Austria, Czech Republic & Hungary
• Biodiversity in Ecuador & the Galapagos | Ecuador & the Galapagos
• Chile in a Time of Transformation: A Cultural Challenge | Chile
• Cross-Cultural Psychology | Netherlands, Switzerland & Italy
• Cutting Edge Exercise Physiology | Florida, USA
• Ganbatte! Adventuring in Tokyo | Tokyo
• Global Business | Argentina & Chile
• The Grand Tour: Drawing the Masters | Italy
• Planet Girth: The Cultural Comparison of Health & Fitness | New Zealand
• Power & Politics in D.C. | Washington, D.C., USA
• Rock Me Amadeus: Mozart’s Music, Life & Legacy | Czech Republic & Austria
• Safari in South Africa | South Africa
• Spanish Culture & the Art of Flamenco | Spain

2012-2013 Academic Year

• An American Celebration of Music in Italy | Italy
• Contemporary Ireland: Traditions, Talents, Treasures & Troubles | Ireland
• European Design: London & Paris | France & the United Kingdom
• Exercise Physiology in Indianapolis….. & Chicago! | USA
• The Grand Tour in Italy | Italy
• Human Behavior in Europe: Cross-Cultural Psychology | Italy, Germany & France
• Religion & Revolution in Italy | Italy
• Safari in Southern Africa | South Africa & Swaziland
  
• Spanish Culture & the Art of Flamenco | Spain

2011-2012 Academic Year

• An American Celebration of Music | Italy
• Chinese Culture Exposure & Language Immersion | China
• Ciao Bella! | Italy
• Cutting-Edge Exercise Physiology | USA
• Federal Law Enforcement Careers | USA
• Human Behavior Across Cultures | Italy, France & Spain
• In the Hub of Globalization: International Economics | India
• Mayan Heritage, Traditions and Customs in Contemporary Guatemalan Society | Guatemala
• Post-Mao China: Demise or a New Face of Communism | China
• Power & Politics Inside DC | USA
• The Hidden Face of Ecuador: Uncovering Its Bio- and Cultural Diversity | Ecuador and the Galapagos
• What’s Love Got to Do with It? Exploring Innovations in Close Relationships Research | USA

2010-2011 Academic Year

• Cutting-Edge Exercise Physiology | USA
• The History of Boston: 1620-1900 | USA
• Human Behavior Across Cultures | Italy, France & Germany
• Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Realism… Oh My! | France
• In the Hub of Globalization: International Economics | India
• Intercultural Perspectives in Business | India
• Moving the World: A How-To Guide–A Survey of Greek Mathematics | Greece & Italy
• Mayan Heritage, Traditions and Customs in Contemporary Guatemalan Society | Guatemala
• The Military History of Italy | Italy
• Modern Spain | Spain
• Planet Girth: The Cultures of Health & Fitness | Sweden
• Power & Politics Inside D.C. | USA
• The Religions of Rome: Ancient to Modern | Italy
• Shakespeare in Performance | United Kingdom

2009-2010 Academic Year

• Contemporary Ireland: Traditions, Talents, Treasures & Troubles | Ireland
• Experience New York City: A How-To Guide to Living and Working in the Big Apple | USA
• The History of Sport | United Kingdom
• Power & Politics Inside D.C. | USA
• The Rebirth of Art: The Renaissance in Rome and Florence | Italy

2008-2009 Academic Year

• Civic Engagement on a Native American Reservation in Western U.S. | USA
• Criminal Justice: Corrections in London | United Kingdom
• The History of Sport | USA
• Information Systems in a Global Environment | Sweden, Turkey & the United Kingdom
• Mark Twain, the Mississippi River, and American Culture | USA
• Paint & Draw in the Footsteps of the Masters | France
• Power & Politics Inside D.C. | USA
• Strategic Marketing in a Global Environment | Sweden, Turkey & the United Kingdom

2007-2008 Academic Year

• Classroom & Behavioral Management in British Life & Culture | United Kingdom
• Contemporary Chinese Culture and Society | China
• Contemporary Ireland: Traditions, Talents, Treasures & Troubles | Ireland
• The Economics of London | United Kingdom
• Mark Twain, the Mississippi River, and American Culture | USA
• The Rebirth of Art: The Renaissance in Rome and Florence | Italy
• Sports Marketing in Australia & New Zealand: 6th Annual Sports Marketing Association Conference | Australia & New Zealand

2006-2007 Academic Year

• Study America! A Trek Across Alaska | USA