Study Abroad

History can be described as the stories that we tell ourselves about the past. What better way to explore this than through the example of World War II? This travel course takes you to Britain, France, and Germany to see how these three countries tell their national stories of World War II. What meaning does the war have for these nations and how they view themselves? How do they want their wartime experiences to be remembered now and by future generations? Explore how the memory of WWII is constructed by Britain, France, and Germany, focusing on different aspects of their wartime experiences, addressing questions of good/evil, guilt/innocence, bystander/collaborator, winner/loser, perpetrators/victims. You will have the opportunity to visit museums, memorials, and other sites of interest in London, Normandy, Paris and Munich to see how different nations find meaning in the past and how they commemorate it in the present for the future.

May Term in Ghana! Expand your knowledge on globalization via the study of the African Diaspora. This is an opportunity to be immersed in the rich Ghanaian culture, visit key sites of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade such as the Cape Coast Castle also known as “Door of No Return”, and/or the Elmina Castle, national parks and produce plantations. This intensive immersive learning and transformative opportunity is one for the books! The course is aimed at encouraging critical reflection on service, global citizenship, and intercultural communication. Students will engage in cultural activities such as drumming, experience a local cultural troupe and learn and use Ghanaian greetings and phrases, and gain valuable knowledge from local experts and storytellers.

This course will explore the Tibetan diaspora in India, both its cultural, institutional, and religious dimensions. In 1959, hundreds of thousands of Tibetans fled their homeland to follow their spiritual leader, HH The Dalai Lama XIV, into India. Since then, they have rebuilt many of their institutions, communities, and homes across India. 
Our May term will focus on two primary Tibetan diasporic communities. First, we will stay at the serene Sera Jey monastery in South India, situated in the lush, forested areas of Karnataka. Here, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a Tibetan community of some 5,000 monks and other members in the surrounding lay community. We will learn about Tibetan culture, practice, and how it is informed by Buddhist beliefs, as well as enjoy the natural and architectual beauty of the area. Students will experience Tibetan food, dance, art, as well as interact with Tibetan-speaking students at the monastic Secondary School.
Next, we will head to Dharamshala, situated at the foot of the Himalayan Mountain Range in Northern India. There, we will immerse ourselves in a bustling Tibetan community that has become a central hub for travelers the world over. Dharamshala is also the resident capital of HH The Dalai Lama. We expect to have a meeting with him! We will take day hikes in the Himalayan foothills and enjoy breathtaking views. In addition to its natural beauty, Dharamshala is also the political seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile. We will also have an opportunity to explore these institutions and learn about the political challenges Tibetans in diaspora face.

Throughout May Term, we will explore the complicated history of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland via visits to major historical and contemporary sites throughout the island, such as Leinster House in Dublin, Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, and the Museum of Free Derry. We’ll also explore the even more contentious politics of the Seven Kingdoms from Game of Thrones with visits to filming sites such as the Dark Hedges (Kingsroad), Dunluce Castle (House Greyjoy), and Downhill Strand (Dragonstone Temple). This course will take us on a road trip around the island visiting sites and cities, big and small, allowing you to explore it all including the beautiful, natural offerings such as Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Blarney Stone with some castles thrown in as well. By way of a cultural reflection, photography project, and pre-trip research assignment, you will gain a greater understanding of Ireland and much of what it has to offer. Join us for two weeks in the Emerald Isle…and find out why it’s called that firsthand!

Italy and Portugal are two countries rich in historical significance, great food, amazing architecture, and beautiful landscapes. Through the Renaissance and Age of Discovery, these countries have contributed enormously to the world we experience today. Feel like you’re walking back in time as you experience adventures in both Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre) and Portugal (Porto, Sintra, and Lisbon). Our travels abroad will include both guided experiences and free exploration opportunities to become acquainted with the rich cultures and histories of both countries. English is widely spoken in both countries, so these locations are easy to navigate without previous language experience! This course will allow students to absorb the countries through photography, capturing the environments through hands-on learning that will provide you with useful skills to take into your lives at or after Simpson. Through photo assignments and creation of images, you will learn new perspectives, artistic techniques, manual photography skills, and Adobe Photoshop strategies. There is no photography experience required to apply for this course, but students must provide their own camera. If you’re interested in an immersive and life-changing experience traveling abroad and are up for adventure, we hope you join us!

Course participants will analyze the challenges and opportunities facing enterprises operating in Italy’s agricultural, fashion, fitness, and manufacturing heartland. The in-country experience begins in Milan (Lombardy), where we will tour the Duomo and Galleria; view Michelangelo's Last Supper; and visit two legendary design studios: Fondazione Albini and Fondazione Castiglioni. Optional evening activity: The Blue Note Jazz Club. Next we transfer to Bologna (Emilia Romagna) with stops in Maranello at Ferrari headquarters and Modena for a tour of the Maserati factory. We will spend a day at the FICO Eataly Food Theme Park and have a cooking class (pasta!). Next stop: Bassano del Grappa. Bassano is in the Veneto, which is one of Iowa's Sister States. Shakespeare fans take note: a side excursion to Verona includes a visit to Juliet's balcony! From our base in Bassano, we will visit representative companies in: rural agriculture (e.g., viticulture and winemaking); apparel/fashion (e.g., Diesel), fitness (e.g., Technogym); and the H-Farm start-up incubator. Opportunities for outdoor activities in Bassano include hiking, fishing, white-water rafting, cycling, and golf. Finally, we will take the train from Bassano to Venice. Here we will study the history of Venice and assess tourism’s impact on the lagoon. We will tour artisan workshops, attend La Biennale di Venezia (Venice International Art Exposition), and visit the famous Lido barrier island.

Culture in the United States is largely driven by private companies who produce content that makes money. Disney, the National Football League and The New York Times do their own thing without much government control. The United Kingdom is different. They have a Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports responsible for promoting and building UK culture. This department was responsible for the delivery of the 2012 Olympic games, for example. This May Term trip – with visits to many of Britain’s iconic sites – will allow students to see how the government is involved in promoting British culture to the world. The BBC, the British Film Institute, Wimbledon and Wembley Stadium all export British culture – from football to the monarchy to high tea to music. Of course, there is much history to explore, too. Students will learn to make their way around a city of 9 million people and explore places that influence our culture even today. (American television stole/copied American Idol, The Office, Veep and House of Cards from British television, for example.)

Join a once in a life-time experience to study business and social enterprises in SE Asia while being immersed in the culture and religion of the region.  During the course, students will have the opportunity to visit the US Embassy, the American Chamber of Commerce, and a law firm specializing in prosecuting people who sell counterfeit (knock off) goods.  We will visit many local businesses making a difference in their society and participate in a lecture at a local university on social entrepreneurship.  We will have a behind the scenes experience at the Elephant PoopooPaper Company.  Interpersed with the business visits will be opportunities to visit beautiful Buddhist temples, talk with monks and other local people, visit local hill country villages, and have an up-close encounter with elephants at an elephant sanctuary.  Several immersion experiences are built into the course, including a homestay at a local village, a half day cooking class where we will make authentic Thai food, and a visit to a Karen tribe refugee center where we will learn to weave.  A side trip to Cambodia to the Siem Reap area to visit the Angkor Wat and floating villages is included.

Spend a semester immersed in the culture, history, language and literature of Chile under the direction of a Simpson professor. Work on your language skills while getting to know your Chilean host families and visiting important historical and cultural sites including Chile’s capital, Santiago. Offered spring semester of even-numbered years.

Live, learn and explore London sites on field excursions with other Simpson students, accompanied by a Simpson professor, in one of the world’s great historical, cultural, political and economic centers. Meet local and other international students in your on-campus dorm. Offered fall semester of odd-numbered years.

During this independent and intensive learning experience, study German language and culture in a charming city of 73,000 which retains its beautiful historic architecture. Choose to live either with a local host German or in an apartment with other students. Visits to historical and cultural sites nearby are included in this program which is offered any semester. 

Held in a fascinating part of the developing world, this program offers the chance to learn about Thailand, Thai language and culture and other topics related to Southeast Asia in general. Course-related field trips, excursions and other cultural activities are available on this independent semester abroad program. Live in modern apartments just off Chiang Mai University’s campus with both local and international students. Offered any semester.

Study as an independent exchange student for a semester in the tropical paradise of a South Pacific island which offers a rich cultural environment combining both Western and non-Western cultural elements in one location. Students must have a strong command of the French language which will allow them to be successful in coursework entirely taught in French. Students can choose to either live in an on-campus apartment or in a dorm in the capital city of Papeete with local and other international students.

Apply to study for a semester or an academic year at Belfast Metropolitan College, Queens University, St. Mary’s University College, Stranmillis University College or the University of Ulster, all of which are located in Northern Ireland.

Study French in a European setting any fall or spring semester or during a month-long summer term. Students with any level of French skills are welcome to participant in classes geared specifically toward improving language levels. Accommodations can be with local host families or in university-affiliated foyers (residence halls).