LOS/SBS 470, 6 credits or LOS 670, 3 credits

SUMMER TRAVEL COURSE

Travel dates: June 17-July 7, 2024

The goal of this interdisciplinary program is to familiarize you with key issues, theories, and practices in intercultural leadership and to provide you with the knowledge, tools, and multicultural experiences necessary to be an effective, globally aware leader. After several months of study examining the socio-cultural, historical, and philosophical aspects of leadership from a global perspective, we will visit South Africa for two weeks in the summer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDItWT4ENI 

Foundational to our African exploration will be service learning with a focus on community leadership. Led by program facilitators from Red Zebra, we will travel to the beautiful Montagu, a two-hour drive from Cape Town, and work with the people in its communities. We will also make plenty of time to see historic sites, engage in cultural experiences, and explore the stunning natural beauty of the region.

In the end, through program readings, site experiences, and reflection exercises, students will examine a wide range of cultural factors that influence the quality of a leader’s performance in these environments.

Click here to find out more about the program!

Faculty

Dr. Tara Grey Coste teaches Group Dynamics, Research Methods, and Deliberate Creativity & Innovation, as well as other courses in the Leadership and Organizational Studies programs. Since 2001 she has traveled to South Africa regularly to work with the South African Creativity Foundation to help support leadership efforts in this young democracy. She has been taking students to South Africa for over a decade and is the founder of USM’s Montagu Project.

Tuition and Fees

The approximate program fee is $3650.00, not including tuition. The cost of tuition and fees at the in-state rate are in addition to the program fee. All participants on USM travel programs receive the in-state tuition rate regardless of residency.

The program fee includes accommodation, airfare, scheduled in-country travel, site visits, three meals a day, field trips, and international insurance coverage.

Not included in the program fee is the cost of tuition, fees, books, academic supplies, or other personal expenses.

Application

The application deadline is Friday, April 5th, 2024.

A complete application includes all of the following:

  1. Submit the program application form
    • We recommend looking over the application before completing it so you have all parts ready, as unfortunately you cannot save as you go.
  2. Copy of academic transcript
    • Information regarding requesting a transcript can be found here (It’s probably easiest to either follow the steps for “Electronic Delivery” or “Unofficial Transcript via Classic MaineStreet” and either way, send to ksinc@maine.edu )

Once the application committee has reviewed applications, you will be notified of acceptance via email. At that time, all students will be asked to submit a nonrefundable deposit and will be enrolled in the course in MaineStreet by the Office of International Programs.

Cancellation & Refund Policies

USM reserves the right to cancel travel courses due to low enrollment, changing political or economic factors, unusual circumstances or any other event which would dramatically impact the nature of the course or the ability of the faculty to conduct such a course. If USM cancels the course due to low enrollment, the non-refundable deposit and any payments made toward the program will be refunded to the student. Other costs incurred by the student will not be subject to refunds.

Financial Aid

Federal financial aid and loans are available to matriculated students who participate in travel courses.

  • In order to receive the benefit of financial aid for a summer travel course, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits total during the summer.

Please apply for financial aid as early as possible. If you have questions about financial aid, please contact the financial aid office at (207) 780-4166. If you are not a matriculated student at USM, please check with the financial aid office at your institution.

If financial aid does not cover the full cost of the program, students are responsible for paying the remaining balance according to the payment plan schedule.

Scholarships

For information about scholarships, please visit Study Abroad Scholarships