The Maymester, first session, and second session course schedules will be available in听. Please note that course offerings are subject to change. In rare instances courses are canceled due to a variety of factors, including insufficient enrollment. See the Summer Sessions听calendar听for additional important dates.
| Nov 1, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. | Applications open for Maymester and Global Summer Fellows scholarships听 |
| Dec 1, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. | Deadline to apply for a Maymester and Global Summer Fellows scholarships*听 |
| Jan 22, 2027 by 11:59 p.m. | Deadline to commit to a Maymester program, or withdraw without penalty |
* The application deadline is only for off-campus and abroad Maymester courses. Online course registration for on-campus Maymester and summer courses will take place March 29, 2027.
Students must submit all application materials, including a personal statement and academic references, by December 1, 2026. A link to each course鈥檚 application is available in the Courses section below. Additional requirements will apply after acceptance.
Once students have been accepted into a Maymester course, they must confirm their acceptance by signing a virtual 鈥淐ommitment to Attend鈥� by January 22, 2027. This commitment will appear on the student鈥檚 online application upon their acceptance into the course.
Please note: Under-enrolled courses may be cancelled. Students who have applied to such courses will be notified at the earliest opportunity. Students who have financial holds or are on social or academic probation are ineligible for Maymester courses. Acceptance into a Maymester course is also contingent on the instructor's approval.
Students may withdraw their application without penalty by 11:59 p.m. on the January 22, 2027 Commitment/Withdrawal deadline. To withdraw, the student must notify both 91吃瓜网 Study Abroad and their Maymester faculty in writing. After the commitment deadline, students will be responsible for a portion of the program fee determined by the date of withdrawal. Here is the withdrawal fee schedule for 2027:
Commitment deadline 鈥� March 9:听25% of program fee
March 10 鈥� April 6:听50% of program fee
April 7 鈥� May 6:听75% of program fee
After May 6:听total program fee
In situations of medical emergency, illness, or injury, students may request to waive the withdrawal charge. Students seeking a waiver should contact Study Abroad, who will route students to the appropriate contact in the Dean鈥檚 Office of the Undergraduate College teaching the Maymester.
After the start of the course, students who withdraw are subject to听Undergraduate Student Withdrawal Schedules. Tuition will be adjusted based on the prorated calendar, but program fees will not adjust. Any adjustments to the program fee must be requested and approved by the Dean鈥檚 Office of the Undergraduate College teaching the Maymester. Students should contact Study Abroad who will route students to the appropriate contact in the Dean鈥檚 Office of the relevant college.
*91吃瓜网 reserves the right to bill students for any unrecoverable costs.
91吃瓜网 will provide, on a competitive basis, scholarships to help undergraduate students pay the costs of studying abroad on faculty-led Maymester courses. The Global Summer Fellows Program will provide university stipends that can be used to offset the costs of 91吃瓜网-approved, credit-bearing, off-campus Maymester programs.听Off-campus Maymester programs have their own withdrawal and refund policy. See details on听.
Apply听for the Global Summer Fellows Scholarship here:听/immersion/funding/.
MAYMESTER IN KOREA
ASIA 1480 - Discover Korea
Discover South Korea: the home of BTS, BLACKPINK, TWISE and New Jeans; the country behind 鈥楽quid Game鈥�, 鈥楶arasite鈥�, 鈥楰-pop Demon Hunters鈥�; and the origin of Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motors, etc.听
A dynamic and innovative country, South Korea has captured the hearts of countless enthusiasts around the world with its popular culture. Superstars such as BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, aespa, IVE, and New Jeans,听 Stray Kids, ATEEZ an SEVENTEEN are at the forefront of the K-Pop sensation, while works such as 鈥楽quid Game鈥�, 鈥楶arasite鈥� and 鈥楰-pop Demon Hunters鈥� have brought K-Drama and K-Movie into the international spotlight more than ever before. Moreover, South Korea has undergone remarkable economic transformation over the past few decades, turning into one of the world鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing economies. Today, South Korea is one of the US鈥檚 largest trading partners and is a global leader in Information technology. Additionally, South Korea boasts a storied history and navigates one of the most complex geopolitical situations in the world. The enduring security alliance between the US and South Korea plays a crucial role on the Korean peninsula.听
This program offers one day of basic Korean language instruction, along with meetings with Korean college students and several guest lectures by experts on Korean culture, politics, history, and economy. Participants will enjoy various cultural and business excursions, including a K-pop dance class, a cooking class, visits to famous cultural and business sites, and opportunities for a four-day overnight trip, a two-day overnight excursion, and day trips. Through this uniquely immersive experience, students will develop a new perspective and appreciation for South Korea and its rich culture, history, and economy.听
For more information about the excursions, please visit or contact Dr. Seok Bae Jang at seok.jang@vanderbilt.edu.听
Approximate total cost: $14,710*
MAYMESTER IN CHINA
ASIA 1680 - Inside China
What is China? ASIA 1680 Inside China explores this question through firsthand experiences in Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Through historical sites, neighborhoods, museums, schools and universities, businesses, food, cultural activities, technology, public spaces, and interactions with people, students will encounter different dimensions of China and consider how history, regional culture, everyday life, and rapid development shape contemporary Chinese society. Through personalized language learning and real-world practice, students at all proficiency levels will also develop greater confidence and ability to use Chinese in everyday situations.
Each city provides a different lens:
Throughout the course, students will return to one central question: What is China? There is no single correct
answer. The goal is to develop a more informed, nuanced, and evidence-based understanding of China through
direct experience.
Approximate total cost: $14,070*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN AUSTRALIA
BSCI 3228 - Biodiversity: Great Barrier Reef and Rainforests of Australia
Hug a koala, swim alongside sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, soar above the reef by helicopter, and watch the sun rise over Uluru. Explore one of the world鈥檚 oldest tropical rainforests and encounter wildlife found almost nowhere else on Earth. In this Maymester, Australia becomes your classroom.
Snorkel the Reef, visit a sea turtle rehabilitation center, hike and zipline through the rainforest canopy, explore the Daintree by night, and participate in hands-on conservation projects. Experience Australia鈥檚 remarkable wildlife鈥攆rom cassowaries and kangaroos to corals and reef fish鈥攁nd join a Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walk to learn about the rainforest through Indigenous knowledge, culture, and connection to Country. Then journey into Australia鈥檚 Red Centre to explore Kata Tjuta and Uluru.
Along the way, you won鈥檛 simply see Australia鈥檚 biodiversity鈥攜ou鈥檒l investigate it. Through field observations and experiences with researchers, conservationists, and Indigenous knowledge holders, you鈥檒l explore why Australia鈥檚 wildlife is so distinctive, the challenges it faces, and how science and Indigenous knowledge contribute to its conservation.
Come ready to snorkel, hike, explore, ask questions, and experience biodiversity where it happens.
Approximate total cost: $18,275*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN NEPAL
CES 3108 - The Physical and Cultural Mashup between South, Central, and East Asia
Over the past 50 million years, the Indian subcontinent has been colliding with the Eurasian plate, creating the
world鈥檚 tallest mountain range, the Himalayas. The result is a dynamic and active landscape with sweeping
ecosystems that is also one of the longest human-inhabited regions on Earth. Humans have developed distinct
lifestyles and cultural practices to adapt to their environment, and Nepal, which begins in the lowland plains
and ends in the highest peaks, offers a unique opportunity to examine the physical and cultural mixing and
transitions that occur across this porous boundary.
We will explore many aspects of the physical and cultural collision that we see in Nepal. What are the specific
landscapes and hazards that are distinct in continental collisions? How does the landscape influence religious
and artistic expression, and how have humans used and altered the landscapes because of their cultural
practices? Why do we have cultural 鈥渃enters鈥� of geography, climate, language, and politics? Nepal is a rich
tapestry of landscapes and lifestyles, and is an ideal location to conduct an interdisciplinary study of how
humans and landscapes interact. We will explore these questions with a deep dive into the city of Katmandu
and a trek across the Himalayas.
Approximate total cost: $16,275*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN SERBIA, MONTENEGRO, & CROATIA
CSET 3258 - Digitalizing Past: Laser Scanning of Medieval Castle
Preserving the Past: Where Technology and History Come Together - Students on this program will learn about, and participate in, the 3-D laser mapping of a Medieval castle in Serbia. The students will learn how to use modern technologies in the studies of the medieval castle (usage of drone, 3D laser scanners, data analysis), and they will explore the rich history of the Balkans in the Middle Ages. The course participants will have the opportunity to sample great food, enjoy breathtaking nature, and explore some of the most popular and beautiful destinations in Europe.
Approximate total cost: $17,545*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN CHINA
DS 3891 - Special Topics: Generative AI in China
This four-week Maymester introduces students to generative AI through the lens of China, one of the two global centers of AI development. Based at East China Normal University in Shanghai, students learn how large
language models, image and video generators, and AI agents work; how they are being built, regulated, and
used in China; and how the Chinese AI ecosystem compares with the United States in industry, policy, and
everyday life.
Classroom sessions and guest lectures from China-based experts are paired with visits to factories, including
Volkswagen, and research labs in Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta, where students see how generative AI is
applied in manufacturing, logistics, and product development. Cultural excursions in Shanghai, Suzhou,
Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong round out the program.
No prior programming experience is required. Students complete hands-on exercises with generative AI tools,
site-visit reflections, and a final project analyzing an AI application they encountered during the program.
Approximate total cost: $16,500*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN NEW ZEALAND
EES 3865 - Field Investigations
In this course, we will study Earth and environmental processes and systems in the field, with an emphasis on
field methods. In 2027, the course will be held in New Zealand, which will give us the opportunity to study a
variety of topics in Earth and environmental sciences: magmatism, eruptions, and volcanoes, including natural
hazards and resources derived from them; earthquakes and their impacts on society; surface landscapes and
the processes that modify them over time. We will do so while travelling through various regions of New
Zealand. The course will start in Rotorua on Tuesday, May 18 and finish in Christchurch on Friday, June 4. We
will visit both the North and South Islands of New Zealand over the length of the course, and the topical focus
will change accordingly. Course evaluation will be based on participation, field exercises (outcrop descriptions,
geologic cross-sections and maps), and oral presentations. Students with all levels of expertise in Earth and
environmental sciences are encouraged to apply. Activities will be adjusted to take into account prior
experience and coursework.
Approximate total cost: $14,990*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN ENGLAND
ENGL 3898 - Special Topics in English and American Literature: Jane Austen's England
鈥淚t was a sweet view鈥攕weet to the eye and mind. English verdure, English culture, English comfort, seen under a sun bright, without being oppressive.鈥�
Emma, vol. 3, chapter 6
Austen鈥檚 novels celebrate the ruined abbeys, country houses, picturesque vistas, and quaint villages that define
the English landscape. In this course, we will read three of her novels鈥擯ride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey,
and Persuasion鈥攁nd complement our study by visits to the places that shaped them. Our base will be London,
where daily class sessions will be supplemented by tours of places significant to Austen鈥檚 life or to Georgian
culture generally, from Westminster Abbey to Samuel Johnson鈥檚 house to the stately Apsley House, home of the Duke of Wellington. Outside of London, we will tour the magical city of Bath (with tea at the Pump Room and visits to the Assembly Rooms, both of which figure prominently in the novels); the home Austen shared in
adulthood with her mother and sister in Chawton; and the city of Winchester, in whose magnificent medieval
cathedral we will visit Austen鈥檚 grave and monument. Students will be required to read Claire Tomalin鈥檚 Jane
Austen: A Life and attend a couple of discussions before departure. The first week of class will be conducted
remotely via Zoom. Students arrive in London May 16 and depart June 5.
No prerequisites. No prior knowledge of Austen or her novels is required.
Approximate total cost: $13,600*
MAYMESTER IN FRANCE
FREN 3230/CMA 3772 - France and the International Film Festival
Program Details
This course traces French cinema from the first public film exhibitions through the avant-garde, surrealism, the
Golden Age, and contemporary screen culture while examining the film festival as a cultural institution and
global marketplace. Students study how technologies, aesthetic movements, historical events, critical discourse,
and systems of production and distribution have shaped French film and its international reception.
Paris serves as an extended classroom. Screenings, seminars, museum visits, and location-based study connect
course readings to the material history of cinema and to the visual culture of the city. In Cannes, students
participate in the 80th Festival de Cannes and investigate how festivals organize access, create prestige, frame
national and global cinemas, facilitate financing and distribution, and influence which films reach audiences.
The compressed travel format requires sustained engagement. Students synthesize scholarly readings, close
analysis of films, direct observation, museum and cultural-site study, festival participation, oral reporting, and
reflective writing. All required films are subtitled in English. Readings and discussion are in English.
Approximate total cost: $13,955*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN ENGLAND
HART 2807 - Museums and Society: From London to Liverpool
How have and do societies perceive museums? What impacts can they have on one another?
From the inception of the modern museum as an institution, the museum was presented as an essential benefit
for the betterment of society. Yet what this betterment has looked like and the 鈥渟ociety鈥� museums serve has
shifted over the last few centuries. The subsequent global spread of museums has also created a diverse range
of these relationships. And in the perspective of communities, the 鈥渕useum鈥� lives beyond its walls, whether
that is in its representations or its impact on the cultural and economic communities of a city or country. The
approach to critically engaging with museums as institutions in this class is context-driven and inquiry-based
with students bringing together research and experience to complete a project on their own case study.
Using United Kingdom museums and society as its focus, this course explores the relationships between people
and museums. In this Maymester, we will visit museums in Liverpool to think about the intricate histories of the
city and the ways that museums have presented鈥攐r not鈥攖he diverse stories of Liverpudlians. From the iconic
stories of The Beatles to the less well-known stories of Liverpool鈥檚 part in global economies, including the
Transatlantic Slave Trade, with the city鈥檚 resulting diverse populations, we will learn from museum professionals
how they engage with and represent communities. A day trip to Oxford will showcase some of the earliest
museums: the Ashmolean Museum (arguably the earliest public museum) and the first natural history museum
in the world. We鈥檒l consider how those early museums shaped the way societies engage with these institutions.
In London, we鈥檒l consider the wide range of museums at the heart of England from the (in?)famous British
Museum to newer trends of commercial enterprises like the Twist Museum. Despite the differences between
non-profit and for-profit museums, both types must consider people, their needs, and their responses as they
drive the cultural market. Thus, London is the perfect city to explore the varied relationships between museums
and society through specific sites and case studies.
Approximate total cost: $15,240*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN ITALY
ITA 3704 - Made-in-Italy: Italianness in Italy and Abroad. A Culinary Journey
Join us for an unforgettable journey into Italian culinary history and culture.
Come savor the flavors, stories, and traditions of Bologna, Florence, and their surrounding regions. In this
course, Professor Anna Marra will guide students through an immersive exploration of Italian food culture, from its historical roots to contemporary traditions. Through lectures, hands-on experiences, guided tastings, and
field trips, students will discover how food connects Italian history, identity, communities, and landscapes.
Highlights of the course:
Whether you have questions, doubts, concerns, or simply wish to learn more about the program, please don't
hesitate to send an email to anna.marra@vanderbilt.edu.
Approximate total cost: $17,500*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN BALI
MUSL 3120 -听Music and Cultural Tourism in Bali
This Maymester course will immerse students in the performing arts traditions of Bali and the innovations that
contemporary musicians and cultural workers create to help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism. Students
will learn through a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops on gamelan, dance, and puppet theater
led by local artists at the Mekar Bhuana Centre in Denpasar. In addition to the cultural immersion program,
students will have a chance to learn about Mekar Bhuana鈥檚 ongoing historical ethnographic work and projects
that include reconstructing, restoring, and repatriating gamelan instruments. Excursions to a gamelan
metalsmith and instrument maker, puppet museum, and temple ceremony will complement the hands-on
workshops.
Throughout the program, students will also learn about the challenges presented by cultural tourism and what
Balinese organizers are doing to create a more equitable and sustainable arts industry. Since 2014, Mekar
Bhuana has been partnering with local organizations such as the environmental group Trash Hero Kertalangu
and Puspadi Bali, which helps empower people with disabilities through rehabilitation, education, and training
programs. We will also explore how public discourse and government policies around women鈥檚 emancipation
have given rise to girls鈥� and all-women gamelan ensembles that break the male-dominated tradition. Visits to
other sites such as the green arts space Jiwa Community Garden and the acclaimed puppet artist I Made Sidia鈥檚
art studio will provide additional opportunities for students to engage and collaborate with local artists whose
work centers on environmental advocacy and community engagement.
Approximate total cost: TBD*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN SPAIN
SPAN 3325 - The Way of Saint James. An Epic Trail to The Essence of Spain
Pilgrimage to Santiago has deeply influenced the culture and physical landscapes of Spain and has remained
until today as a major heritage site that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year for very diverse reasons.
Having this is mind, this course explores, from a multidisciplinary point of view, the origins, development, and
influence of The Way of Saint James in the life, and culture of Spain. Through an examination of the historical,
religious, economic, and political discourse, art, literature, and films, we will learn how the cult of Saint James
and the route itself has contributed to shape Spanish national identity, and to dynamize Spanish modern
economy.
The program will take place in Spain during 4 weeks and it will include a walking trip along several sections of
the medieval route known as the French Way, specifically from Pamplona to Santo Domingo de la Calzada and
from Ponferrada to Santiago, more than 200 miles of walking in which students will immerse themselves in the
culture of the different regions in northern Spain. Students will visit several major cities relevant to the history
of the route (Pamplona, Logro帽o, Burgos, Le贸n, and Santiago), and Madrid (3 days).
During the course, the physical route will be the classroom where we will discuss the socio-historical,
geographical, religious, and cultural significance of this millenary tradition. Also, we will attend talks in
cathedrals, monasteries, castles, and museums. As part of the course, students will read and discuss academic
articles, watch several films, prepare presentations, keep a journal, and work in a final project.
What You鈥檒l Do:
How You鈥檒l Learn:
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure where the path itself becomes the classroom, and history is brought
to life through your steps.
Approximate total cost: $13,200*
Apply
MAYMESTER IN PERU
SPAN 3330 - Cultural Studies in the Andes
As a cultural crossroads, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cosmopolitan city, Cuzco has something for everyone. Make it your own during this Maymester and explore one of the most fascinating
tourist destinations in the world: Cuzco, Peru.
In this course, students will explore different forms of cultural production in the Hispanic world, with a focus on the Andean region and a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. Some of the issues discussed will be the lessons of cultural anthropology and archaeology to explore the past and understand the present, popular and elite artistic production, the importance of festive culture in the region, as well as questions of gender and society. As part of the Maymester, program participants will study the festival of Corpus Christi, one of the most
fascinating syncretic celebrations in the Spanish-speaking world. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to engage in a more experiential type of tourism that will include activities such as hiking through ancient ruins, participating in various celebrations, and visiting with traditional artisans. Students will lodge and study in the historic center of Cuzco, thus encouraging constant interaction and exploration of all the former Inca capital has to offer. The group will spend the first few days in Lima, a major cosmopolitan city and
culinary capital of the Americas.
Approximate total cost: $12,425*
Apply
*Approximate total cost may vary based on changes to summer tuition rates.
For questions related to any of the specific Maymester courses listed above, please consult the professor for the course. If you are seeking general information about Maymester courses, you may contact Faculty-Led Programs.