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Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS)
Home » Go Abroad » Summer Abroad Roadmap

Summer Abroad Roadmap

Give your summer months some international flair! York University summer abroad courses have a combined format, with one to three weeks of class instruction at the York campus, and up to four weeks abroad with your classmates and York professor in another country.

On this page:

Which courses can I take?

About Summer Abroad Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links

How can I participate in the program?

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Step 1: Browse through our courses and ensure you meet their eligibility requirements.

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Step 2: Submit an application form for the course you're interested in ahead of the deadline.

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Step 3: After you've been accepted, pay for your program fee, tuition, flight expenses and travel insurance. Complete Safety Abroad requirements.

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Step 4: Attend a mandatory info session to learn about your course, destination country, and more.

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Step 5: Join your peers abroad and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind learning experience.

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Step 6: Attend post-course debrief sessions to provide feedback and share your stories.

Which courses can I take?

Artful graffiti on Lisbon building

ANTH 2130 6.0 - Anthropology Through the Visual

Lisbon, Portugal

Course Director: Zulfikar Hirji
Course Dates: TBA

Explore Lisbon and its diverse city life in this Anthropology course centred around the ways in which the making, display and consumption of imagery challenges our sense of self and community.

shanghai skyline

CH 2030 6.0 – Intermediate Chinese Language and Culture in China: Shanghai as an International and Chinese Centre

Shanghai, China

Course Director: Gang Pan
Course Dates: TBA

Discover Shanghai and explore topics on Chinese culture and civilization while learning about Chinese language structures, functions, and vocabulary.

london big ben from air

EN 3595 3.0 – Romantics en Route: Contexts of Literary Production in England, 1750-1850

London, England

Course Director: Natalie Neill
Course Dates: TBA

Read key works of Romantic and early Victorian literature and visit important sites in England related to the works. By learning about and experiencing the geographical, biographical, and cultural contexts of literature, students will gain a deeper appreciation of how the works came to be written and their cultural importance today.

Temple at night in Seoul

GLBL 3581 6.0 - South Korea: The Politics of Youth and Old Age

Seoul, South Korea

Course Director: Thomas Klassen
Course Dates: TBA

With a focus on the politics of youth and old age in contemporary South Korea, this course studies the political debates and cultural shifts—including intergenerational conflicts—that arise with a rapidly aging population.

Summer students post with faculty flag in Greece

HIST 3357 - Greece: A Modern History

Athens, Greece

Course Director: Sakis Gekas
Course Dates: TBA

Visit Greek islands and the capital city of Athens in this hands-on history course that focuses on modern Greece. You’ll explore research centres, museums, key historical sites and architectural wonders.

bologna aerial view

IT 2030 6.0 – Intermediate Italian Language and Culture in Italy

Course Director: Samia Tawwab
Course Dates: TBA

Explore Italian culture and civilization while enhancing your knowledge of the structures, functions, and vocabulary of the Italian language during a month-long stay in Bologna!

city landscape in Ecuador

SP 2020 6.0 - Intermediate Spanish Abroad

Ávila, Spain

Course Director: Prof. Fernanda Carra-Salsberg
Course Dates: TBA

Immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture by spending a month abroad in Ávila, Spain! Students will have plenty of opportunities to interact with native Spanish speakers through cultural activities and excursions in various towns and cities in Spain.

About Summer Abroad Courses

Course Details

Summer abroad courses take place during the Summer term (May-August). Check the specific course you’re interested in to see when it is offered.

Courses are generally small in size, with only around 15-25 students participating in each course. This means that you’ll have amazing opportunities to connect with your professor and fellow students.

These courses are generally a mix of in-class learning and site visits. You may spend some days abroad in a classroom for a few hours, and the next day visiting historical or cultural sites relevant to your course subject. Some summer abroad courses even include overnight or weekend trips!

Course Eligibility

Every undergraduate LA&PS student (Canadian or international) in good academic standing can participate if the course requirements are met. International Bachelor of Arts (iBA) students must study abroad on an academic exchange.

Students from other Faculties may also be eligible to apply for LA&PS summer study abroad courses if they meet course requirements and pre-requisites.

Be sure to check the eligibility requirements for the course you’re interested in and speak to the Study Abroad Coordinator (studyabr@yorku.ca) to get more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

During the application process...

You can apply by filling out the MachForm application for the course(s) that you are interested in enrolling in. When filling in the application, please ensure that you meet all the requirements outlined for the specific course(s).

*** Remember to keep a close eye on application deadlines! Due to the high volume of interest and applications, applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Applicants will be informed whether they have been accepted into a summer study abroad course within a few weeks of submitting their application. Keep an eye on your York e-mail inbox!

The expenses of a YorkU Abroad course include:

  • Program fee (accommodation and excursions / field activities)
  • Tuition (paid directly to York University as per other courses)
  • Flights (to and from your destination)
  • Food expenses (you will need to cover these costs during portions of your trip)
  • Spending money

Yes. Partial funding of up to $500 is available for approved York International programs such as exchanges, internships and summer abroad courses. LA&PS offers funding of up to $1,500 through the LA&PS International Study Abroad Award, depending on program type, duration, and location.

Check out our funding page for more information.

After the application process...

Congratulations on being accepted!

To complete the enrolment process, you will need to:

1) Pay your program fee.

2) Book flights to and from your summer abroad destination and send your travel details to the Study Abroad Coordinator (studyabr@yorku.ca).

3) Complete and submit any required information forms - outlining emergency contacts and any accommodations, dietary preferences, allergies, and/or health conditions to be aware of.

4) Complete all mandatory Safety Abroad steps, including purchasing travel insurance and adding your trip to York University's Travel Registry.

5) Lastly, you will need to attend all pre-departure info sessions. These sessions will cover important information about the course, the destination, excursions, health and safety, etc. You will also have a chance to meet your course director and other students who have enrolled!

Make sure to keep an eye on your email inbox for important communications from YorkU and LA&PS. In the event of an emergency or another serious situation, the University will contact you as soon as possible with information, guidance, and a plan to get you home if needed.

After returning home, you will be invited to attend post-course debrief sessions to provide feedback and share your experiences with course directors, the Study Abroad Coordinator, and the LA&PS Dean's Office.

You can also provide a testimonial and photos from your trip if you wish! These help us promote the courses to other students who may be interested in the program next year.

If you'd prefer to share these first-hand experiences and answer student questions yourself, feel free to volunteer and attend next year's study abroad information sessions.

Covid-19

  • Depending on the length of your course, you may be able to join later after you have completed your self-isolation period. Please connect with the Study Abroad Coordinator and the course director to let them know that you have tested positive, and a decision will be made.  
  • If you cannot join the course for the whole time or part of the time, the program fee will be refunded. 
  • Contact your airline and let them know that you have to either cancel or re-schedule your flight due to testing positive for Covid-19. Also make sure you are informed on the airline’s Covid policies, as you may need to wait additional days after recovering/leaving isolation before you fly.  
  • If you contract Covid-19 during your study abroad course, you will be required to self-isolate for the number of days set out by your destination country’s government. Depending on which country you are in, you may be quarantined in your room or moved to a new room or apartment to self-isolate.  
  • On-site staff will be available to bring you food and groceries, check in on you, and help you access medical care if needed. The Study Abroad Coordinator will also check in with you each day via Zoom during your self-isolation period.  
  • If you contract Covid-19 prior to flying back to Canada, you will have to self-isolate for the number of days set out by your destination country’s government. If space is not available to self-isolate in the accommodations you have stayed in for the duration of your course, the Study Abroad Coordinator and course director will make alternate arrangements for you.  
  • Contact your airline and let them know that you have to cancel your flight due to testing positive for Covid-19. Also make sure you are informed on the airline’s Covid policies, as you may need to wait additional days after recovering/leaving isolation before you fly.  
  • Check to see if your travel insurance will help cover costs related to self-isolation or Covid-19 medical care while abroad. 

Looking for more information?

Contact the Study Abroad Team studyabr@yorku.ca.