Study Abroad
Studying Abroad is Life-Changing
KU has the oldest continually operating US academic exchange programs in Latin America and supports strong linkages with Costa Rica, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Brazil, and Peru. Since 2000, contacts between KU and the University of Costa Rica (UCR) have included exchanges and symposiums involving CLACS faculty in Social Welfare, Journalism, Anthropology, Economics, Geography and History. The Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies provides foreign study and travel opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate students. The KU Office of Study Abroad can help you find a program that fits your needs and they offer scholarships and financial aid. The Institute for International Education also offers many scholarships.
KU has a long-standing exchange with the Universidad de Costa Rica, and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese which support summer study programs in Salvador, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Interested students are encouraged to participate. Graduate students can undergo language training and conduct research throughout Latin America & the Caribbean.
The center has recently sent students to Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Students are encouraged to check with the graduate advisor on a regular basis for information on current sources of funding. The Office of Study Abroad can give up-to-date, specific information on language training programs in Latin America.
Study Abroad is central to language and culture study. Both CLACS and Spanish & Portuguese encourage majors to spend a semester in a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking country. Students often choose a KU program in Costa Rica, Brazil, or Argentina. CLACS has made a special effort to link the study of Less Commonly Taught Languages to Office of Study Abroad Programs, which greatly increases the motivation for students to study these languages. For Portuguese, KU has an intensive summer program in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
For Kaqchikel, Emily Tummons has developed summer internship possibilities with the NGO WuQu’ Kawoq focused on health in Guatemala. Additionally, CLACS Lecturer Dr. Laura Herlihy leads a summer Miskitu language program in Nicaragua.
Study Abroad Programs to Latin America and the Caribbean
Architecture in Haiti
The Haiti Project is a multi-term course and applied experience focused on the programming, design, documentation, prototyping, and transfer of knowledge for the construction of a community center in rural Haiti.
Bilingual Spanish Language & Research Intensive for Health Majors
Students on this program improve their Spanish language skills and learn about Costa Rican society. Research opportunities in exercise science and community health are available.
Bilingual Spanish Language Intensive for Social Workers
Students on this program improve their Spanish language skills and learn about Costa Rican society.
Business Practices in Latin America
The graduate level program is designed for students who have an interest in Latin American business.
Design and Culture in Cuba
Explore the history and culture of the changing Cuba. Activities will highlight Havana’s, as well as Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santiago’s, uniqueness and character.
Developing Global Perspective in Costa Rica
Designed for those with limited international travel experience, this program will help students develop awareness of and reflect on their personal and cultural identities, learn how individuals in another culture engage with their society.
Discovering and Understanding Haitian Culture
Discover Haiti’s vibrant history and culture through community engagement.
Early Childhood Unified in Costa Rica
This intensive seminar aims at providing KU students and non-KU students with a general perspective on educational institutions, specifically early childhood and early childhood special education, and services in Costa Rica.
Environmental Conservation and Service in Costa Rica
Address pressing global environmental conservation issues in partnership with local Costa Rican conservation agencies.
Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado
FAAP was founded in 1947 and today is considered to be one of the most important and respected academic institutions in Brazil.
Globalization & Afro-Brazilian Music & Culture in Brazil
Learn about the history of the African diaspora in Brazil and the impact of the globalization of Afro-Brazilian culture by examining music, religion, art, and tourism in Bahia.
International Social Services: A Costa Rican Perspective
Students will gain a perspective on social services and broader social problems in Costa Rica.
Language and Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina
During this 6-week program students will earn 8 or 9 hours of Spanish language credit and live with an Argentine host family.
Language and Culture in Salvador, Brazil
Study Brazilian Portuguese at the beginning or intermediate level and live with a Brazilian host family.
Language in San Jose, Costa Rica
This program is designed for students who want to achieve strong proficiency in the Spanish language while earning Spanish credit. Students have the option to spend one or two months living in Costa Rica studying Spanish language.
Literature, Arts and Culture in Cuba
Explore Cuban culture—including the centrality and importance of Afro-Cuban culture, the continuing legacy of Castro’s Revolution and of links to the former Soviet Union, the divide with the Cuban Diaspora, and Cuba’s rich media production.
Marine Biology in Roatan
Explore coral reefs and marine ecology and diversity over winter break.
Miskitu Language and Culture
This 6-week program gives students the opportunity to study the rich culture and language of the indigenous Miskitu people in Nicaragua.
Services for Children with Special Needs in Peru
Spend one week at the Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP), a non-profit organization that serves families and people with different abilities.
Supply Chain Management & Logistics in Brazil
Learn of the global significance of São Paulo and Santos, Brazil through a Supply Chain Management perspective.
Supply Chain Management and Logistics in Panama
Gain an understanding of the significance of the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important cargo transit zones and a key element in global trade.
Sustainable Development Field School in Guatemala
The field school is designed to introduce students to the social and cultural challenges of development among impoverished non-Western populations while implementing micro-projects.
Travel Writing and Costa Rica - KU Honors Program
Explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica on this 12 day winter break program.
Universidad Católica del Uruguay
Founded in 1954, the Jesuit-administered Universidad Católica del Uruguay was recognized as a university in 1985 and continues its tradition of providing personalized education.
Universidad de Costa Rica
Spend a semester or academic year taking a wide variety of classes in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Universidad de San Andrés
Study upper-level Spanish during the fall or spring semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Study for a semester in one of Brazil and Latin America’s top ranked universities. Courses taught in Portuguese are available in a variety of disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate level.
