Want to Study Abroad Without Leaving for a Whole Semester? USC Alternative Study Abroad Options

by Ani Antonyan ‘24

At first, the prospect of studying abroad seemed out of the question to me. I wasn’t sure if my academic and work commitments would allow for a semester or year abroad. Plus, the idea of being far away from home for an extended period of time was intimidating. I began to lose hope and accept that international travel would have to wait. 

However, one day, while walking to my WRIT 340 class, I noticed a flier in Salvatori Hall advertising a Julymester opportunity. To my surprise, I discovered that USC offered one-month-long study abroad experiences. The condensed timeline felt like the perfect compromise. I decided to submit an application. That summer, I spent a month studying mythology, ancestry, and oral traditions in Greece all because I stumbled upon the right flier! 

photo credit: Ani Antonyan

While a traditional study abroad program might not fit into your course plan, especially if you’re a transfer student or decided on a major late, there are still a number of paths USC offers to learning outside of LA in the US or abroad. These course options that only account for one class from your fall or spring semester have less of an impact on your regular semester schedules, or if it’s an internship pathway, it might have no impact at all on your course plan. If you have the travel itch, don’t let university bureaucracy get in the way. 

Maymesters and Julymesters

Most schools within USC from Dornsife to Thornton offer unique Maymester and Julymester programs that allow you to take a major class or GE outside of the typical classroom. 

Maymesters typically run from May 15 to June 15 and count towards your spring semester units. With the Spring 2024 course catalog freshly released, see if there are any new Maymesters within your department or beyond. Planning for these now is important. Make sure you factor the Maymester units into your spring course plan with your advisor.

Julymesters last from July 15 to August 15 and contribute to your upcoming fall semester units. These faculty-led programs require 2-4 units in your academic schedule as well. Even though you won’t apply to these courses until next semester, start planning the necessary courses for your major requirements to set yourself up to go. Just keep in mind that these units factor into your fall semester credits, so be careful to make sure they work with your financial aid package and so you don’t exceed credit maximums.

from Bookpacking New Orleans

Looking to finish your GE requirements? These programs are a great way to complete a requirement while abroad with classes like Bookpacking where you can read books in the locations they were written (New Orleans in May and London and Paris in July)! While certain programs require prerequisites and are limited to specific majors, there is a wide variety of options open to all majors, giving students the opportunity to explore classes outside their major in a new environment.

USC’s Study Abroad website allows you to filter out programs based on your preferences, including semester-long programs, spring break trips, Maymesters, and more. These options allow you the chance to go abroad without long term commitments. These take many shapes and come from a variety of school. The majority of these, though, come out of Dornsife.

Dornsife Faculty-Led programs are exceptional study abroad programs that might be under the radar of many students. These 4-week programs (Maymesters and Julymesters) offer a wide range of opportunities that cover electives, GE courses, introductory language classes, upper-division major courses, and research opportunities available both within the US and across the globe. 

Financially, study abroad can be a major investment, and unfortunately, there aren’t straightforward pathways to finding financial help. Dornsife does not offer scholarships for their May/Julymesters directly, but they do offer resources within and beyond USC to apply for funding through. Some of these initiatives include the USC Academic Achievement Award and the SURF/SHURE Award for Dornsife students completing research. If you are not a Dornsife student, speak to the professors running the May/Julymester program you’re interested in about potential funding resources, as they are typically knowledgeable about pathways specific to their programs.

Research Programs

from PWP Switzerland

Problems Without Passports (PWP) courses & summer programs are a great approach to international experiential learning. PWP’s offer students problem-based research exercises in different locations worldwide. One PWP scheduled for the upcoming summer is a course that focuses on the psychology of sustainability and takes place in Switzerland. Students will gain insight into how problems around sustainability often come from human psychology and behavior. They will use their understanding to observe Swiss culture and its approach to sustainability compared to the rest of the world. Other summer programs include internships, research programs, or fieldwork opportunities that can satisfy your upper-division requirements. These programs last from May to July and are attached to your summer course load.

International Internships Through USC

photo credit: USC Marshall

Though this is not a study abroad program, the Winslow-Maxwel Global Summer Internship Program is a unique opportunity presented by the Marshall School of Business. This program partners with a variety of companies to offer students internship experiences outside of the US. The Winslow-Maxwell Global Summer Internship Program is open to all undergraduate majors interested in strengthening their leadership skills in a global setting. 

Program placements include Germany, Hong Kong, Spain, Singapore, Australia, and Japan and last from the beginning of June to the end of July. Depending on the specific program you select, there may be GPA and language requirements, so be sure to review the details to find the best fit for you. There is no guarantee regarding the type of company or job you will be matched with, but the program works to align your interests and abilities with available positions. 

This is an unpaid internship experience, and travel-abroad programs can be very expensive. Students are eligible to apply for a need-based scholarship partially funded by the Winslow-Maxwell Foundation. Contact the program faculty to find further information on financial assistance opportunities. 

Additionally, if you aren’t able to study abroad this year but are interested in gaining international work experience, the Winslow-Maxwell Global Summer Internship program offers virtual internships with companies outside of the U.S. While there is no travel component to this program, this is a unique opportunity to secure a remote job in an international work environment.

Regardless of the program you are interested in, it is essential to meet with your academic advisor to determine the best fit for you. Be sure to ask them if there are any additional programs available through your specific school as each major and program has their own spin on a condensed study abroad program! Also, keep your eyes on the bulletin boards around your lecture halls as fliers are one of the best ways to keep up with new and interesting May/Julymester options. I strongly recommend considering the opportunity to study abroad, even if it’s just for a 10-day experience. 

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