2027 Travel Seminars

What is a travel seminar?

A travel seminar is a short-term Drake faculty-led course that travels to either international or domestic locations. The courses are usually comprised of 10 to 20 Drake students and are between one and three weeks in length during the month of January. J-Term travel seminars are 3-credit courses, many of which include a Drake AOI designation.

How to View J-Term Travel Seminars and APPLY!

1. Go to Via
2. Click "Go to Portal". This will sign you in using your Drake SSO.
3. Click the Explore Programs tile along the top of the page.
4. In the Search bar, you can type in the name of a program, or use the filters:
   • "Term Name" (such as J-term)
   • "Program Type" (such as Faculty Led or Group Travel, etc)
5. Within Program search results, all Drake J-term Travel Seminars are listed first and with an *.  Click "Learn More" at the bottom of the tile of the program you are interested in learning more about. 
6. When you find the program you are ready to apply for, click Apply Now button on the top right side of the page. If no Apply Now button is available, the program is no longer accepting applications.

*Please note: applications for J-Term 2026 travel seminars opened in Via on March 12th, 2025 during the J-Term 2026 Fair. The priority deadline for all travel seminars was Monday, April 1. 

Minimum Requirements

All travel seminar participants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and pass a disciplinary check. Additionally, some seminars have program specific requirements; acceptance criteria for each course will be listed in Via when applying.

Application Process

Start your J-Term travel seminar application in Drake’s online portal Via. Click "Go to Portal" to use your Drake SSO to login and apply for a program. For more details, see above.

• April 1, 2025 was the priority deadline to apply for a Drake J-Term 2026 travel seminar
• Students can apply for one J-Term travel seminar programs, but can typically select an alternate choice during the application.
• Acceptance criteria for each course will be listed in Via when applying. If criteria is not noted for the course you apply to, the default criteria is Student Classification (first preference given to graduate students, then seniors, then juniors, then sophomores).
• Drake will accept students to the primary program of their choice, unless the program is full, in which case we will accept the student to their alternate choice. Acceptance is contingent on course availability.
• Students who meet the priority deadline and apply by April 1, will be notified of their application(s) status (accepted, waitlisted, or denial) on April 15.
• Students are given two weeks or less to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit and commit to the program in Via.
• You will NOT and should not apply, register, or withdraw from the travel seminar course through Self Service. Once you are committed to a travel seminar, Drake Global Affairs will register you (and withdraw you, if needed) through the Registrar's Office. Students apply for travel seminars through Via: https://drake.via-trm.com/authV2/welcome 

J-term 2026 Travel Seminar Timeline and Payment Schedule

• Wednesday, March 12: Applications open in Via during the J-Term Fair. Students can now view and apply for J-term 2025 programs.
• Monday, April 1: Priority deadline
• Monday, April 15: Notification of acceptance, waitlist or denial
• Wednesday, May 1: $500 deposit due and committing to program
• Sunday, September 15: program cost due in full

Scholarships

Students apply for Drake travel seminar scholarships by completing the “Global Learning Scholarship Application” form in Via as part of their application. Applications will be reviewed based on the quality of their essay and based on financial need, except the Levin Scholarship which is not financial need based.

Outside scholarship sources for international experiences can be found at: https://www.drake.edu/global/studyabroad/finances/scholarships/

Questions?

For questions about your specific travel seminar, contact the course instructor. For general study abroad questions or issues with Via, contact studyabroad@drake.edu.

HSCI 109: Comprehensive Patient Assessment and Interprofessional Collaboration

Instructor(s): Michelle Bottenberg & Sean Rogers

Program Description:

In this study abroad course, students will gain foundational knowledge and develop essential skills in patient assessment, encompassing vital sign monitoring, effective communication, clinical screenings, and familiarity with healthcare equipment. The course will also delve into treatment paradigms within the United States, distinctions in healthcare systems between the U.S. and Austria, interprofessional education, and the dynamics of cross-cultural teamwork.

Other Program Details: 

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found through Via

ENSS 111: Conservation, Geology, and Development in Ecuador and the Galapagos

Instructors: David Courard-Hauri & Claire Hruby

Program Description:

Other Program Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

THEA 120-T: Theatre History in London

Instructors: John Pomeroy & Erin Degner

Course Description: 

From Shakespeare’s Globe to the West End: Trace the evolution of performance in the city that defined the stage. This program offers an immersive journey through London’s storied theatrical past and its vibrant creative present.

In this course we will look at the history and literature of the theatre from the point of view of the society in which they operated. We will examine how theatre reflects the assumptions of a culture and how theatre artists use their medium to express their belief or disbelief in those systems. Through an immersion in the theatrical culture of London, and the historical sites we will visit (ancient and modern), we will be able to get a full understanding of the role theatre has played and continues to play in our culture and society.

Other Course Details: 

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

HIST 090 / INTD 099: Heritage and Holocaust

Instructors: Gesine Gerhard & Dorothy Pisarski

Course Description: 

In a world of shifting truths and rising polarization, the most important classroom isn't on campus—it’s on the ground, where the echoes of the past provide a vision for an honorable and just future. Join us this January to trace the story of the Holocaust across Central Europe.

From the haunting silence of Dachau and Auschwitz-Birkenau to the resilient streets of Prague, Krakow, and Warsaw, you won’t just study the Holocaust—you will bear witness to its legacy. You will stand on the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, walk the remnants of the Warsaw Ghetto, and explore the "Topography of Terror" in Berlin, bridging the gap between historical tragedy and contemporary life.

This immersive program is a study in contrasts: the weight of the past met by the vibrant culture of the present. Between guided study visits to world-class museums like Schindler’s Factory and the POLIN Museum, you will experience Jewish culture through a traditional Klezmer dinner in Krakow’s Kazimierz district. This is more than a travel experience; it is an opportunity to develop a vision for a future rooted in empathy, justice, and an unbreakable memory of the past.

Other Course Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

COUN 145/245: Understanding Diverse Populations

Instructors: Matt Bruinekool & Jill Johnson

Program Description:

Learn about the history of mental illness and how a Clubhouse Model of treatment is more respectful of people across different cultures. Travel to Kauai and learn about the history of Hawaii, how mental illness is viewed within the Hawaiian culture, and about Friendship House (A Clubhouse). In addition to engaging in experiential learning activities at Friendship House students will travel around the island visiting museums, historical landmarks, and towns learning about the history of Hawaii and impact of U.S. occupation, tourism, and globalization on the Hawaiian culture as a better way to gain a multicultural perspective on mental illness.

Other Course Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

HSCI 147: International Health Topics

Instructors: Pramod Mahajan 

Program Description: 

This Health Care focused course combines international internship and service learning experiences with pre and post readings, discussions, and reflections in order to maximize student learning, increase student awareness of cultural issues, and increase personal growth related to working in a Low-to-Middle Income Country.  Student will build skills in life-long learning, values and ethics, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.

Other Course Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

BIO 145: Art and Anatomy in Renaissance Italy: the Birth of Modern Medicine

Instructors: Deb Christensen & Adina Kilpatrick

Program Description: 

This course is for students who are interested in art, anatomy, medicine, and/or cultural influences on science and vice versa. Students will expand their understanding of the rich culture heritage of anatomy education by traveling to Italy, where anatomy and medicine as a modern science began. The role of human anatomy in the training and works of the Renaissance masters will also be explored. We will visit anatomy museums in Europe’s oldest universities in Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Padua. These museums include historic anatomy theaters and centuries-old anatomic wax sculptures. Traditional cultural sites containing Renaissance masterpieces, such as the Vatican museums and Michelangelo’s David, will also be toured. The masterpieces will be considered within the context of how they were influenced by the human dissections conducted by the Renaissance masters and our understanding of human anatomy as it evolved over time.

Other Course Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

BUS 105: New Zealand: Communication and Tourism Analysis

Instructors: Amy Vaughan & Brian Vander Naald

Program Description: 

This course focuses on the development of business presentation skills required to be successful in today’s dynamic business environment. These presentations will incorporate data from researching local tourism sites and their respective industries. The cultural impact of the country of New Zealand’s indigenous people as well as other environmental factors of this largely marine environment coastal region will be researched.  Analysis of their economic and social contributions will also be evaluated. An emphasis on continual learning, practice and improvement will be facilitated through faculty feedback and coaching. Student-professionals will demonstrate how to develop and deliver a variety of professional informative presentations in multiple settings and with varied, diverse audiences. Students will also demonstrate how to successfully collaborate with others in group presentation situations.

Other Course Details: 

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

BUS 198: Business Leadership at the Hub of the Americas

Instructors: Dean Alejandro Hernandez & Annique Kiel

Program Description: 

Gain the executive presence and international experience that is defining the next generation of purpose-driven leaders.

In today’s competitive job market, "global experience" needs to be more than a line on a resume—it needs to be a proven skill set. This two-week intensive seminar in Panama transforms you into a consultant at the "Hub of the Americas," placing you at Drake’s home base in the City of Knowledge—an elite innovation campus dedicated to sustainable development. You won't just observe the dynamic business climate of Latin America; you will actively shape it by tackling a high-stakes leadership challenge.

Working in specialized teams based on your specific major, you will move through an accelerated professional pipeline: from executive workshops in leadership presence and storytelling to conducting on-the-ground research for corporate representatives. By the time you present your final recommendations to company leadership, you will have mastered the art of purpose-driven decision-making within a complex, multi-national ecosystem. Between exploring the architectural marvel of the Panama Canal and navigating the region's premier logistics hubs, you will develop a level of professional confidence and global vision that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom.

Other Course Details: 

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

MUS 160: Mediterranean Mosaic: A Cultural and Fine Arts Journey Through Spain and Morocco

Instructors: Hector Aguero & Eric Barnum

Program Description:

Art and music are meant to be lived, not just studied. This immersive travel seminar across Spain and Morocco invites you to synthesize your musical knowledge through an experiential journey that connects the classroom to the stage. By attending on-site live performances and visiting the architectural wonders of the Mediterranean, you will gain a profound cultural connection to the masterpieces you’ve only ever read about or heard in a lecture hall.

While designed to help Music majors fulfill elective requirements through high-level artistic synthesis, this journey is open to all. Spanish language students will find a living laboratory for their skills, while any student seeking an Artistic Literacy AOI will gain a global perspective on how history, religion, and geography shape the fine arts. From the Moorish influence on Spanish architecture to the haunting melodies of North Africa, you will explore a rich tapestry of cultural history that sets you apart as a globally-conscious artist and scholar.

Other Course Details: 

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

LIBR 066: Research, Exploration, & Reflection in Thailand and Vietnam

Instructors: Bart Schmidt & Maria Valdovinos

Course Description: 

Uncover the stories and systems that define modern Thailand. Go beyond the surface of a tourist and return with the high-level analytical skills that set elite global professionals apart.

Thailand is a land of deep contrasts—where ancient spiritual traditions meet a rapidly evolving modern economy. This travel seminar invites you to step into Chiang Mai not as a visitor, but as an investigator. Your journey begins with a deep dive into Thai culture, from its historic mountain temples to its bustling urban centers, providing you with the "on-the-ground" experience needed to identify a research topic that truly resonates with you.

Once back on campus, students will report out on their chosen research topics and include their field observations. By analyzing how different media and historical sources shape our understanding of Southeast Asia, you will master the art of critical synthesis—the ability to gather, evaluate, and interpret complex information from a variety of global perspectives. This isn't just a trip; it’s an opportunity to build a sophisticated search strategy and a high-integrity bibliography that demonstrates your ability to navigate the social and ethical implications of global information. You will return with a refined "global vision" and a presentation-ready project that proves you can thrive in any culturally diverse professional environment.

Other Course Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via

POLS 119: Inside Washington: Exploring Bipartisan Solutions

Instructors: Rachel Paine Caufield & Amy McCoy

Program Description: 

Go behind the scenes of American power to discover how real policy happens when the cameras are off. Step into the heart of Washington, D.C. to gain new perspectives on political leadership, policy making, problem-solving and political analysis as the 120th Congress gets sworn in.

In an era of deep polarization, the most valuable leaders are those who can navigate gridlock to find innovative, workable solutions. This intensive two-week residency in Washington, D.C. transforms the capital into your personal laboratory, where you will investigate the actual causes of legislative inertia, the power of personal relationships in complex policy-making environments, and the "agenda-setting" power of the national media. Moving far beyond personal intuition and social media talking points, you will engage in high-level, good-faith dialogue with professionals across the ideological spectrum—from nonprofit advocates and lobbyists to government officials and media influencers.

This is a demanding "student-professional" experience designed for those ready to embrace intellectual humility as a professional asset and navigate diverse political environments by practicing the skills of active listening, questioning conventional wisdom, and engaging in respectful, productive debate. By synthesizing insights from political science with on-the-ground reality based on first hand experience with national political events and professional site visits. You will leave D.C. with a sophisticated understanding of how policy is negotiated in a divided government, a deeper connection to the Drake alumni network in Washington, a full appreciation of the range of career options, and the professional maturity to pursue meaningful engagement in an increasingly polarized world.

Other Course Details:

• Pricing, program details, and dates can be found in Via