CentreTerm Study Abroad and Away
Applications open in November and close in February for courses in the following CentreTerm.
For a complete list of application and payment dates, please go to the Important Dates page.
Centre-Term Study Abroad & Away 2026
The first half of our course will address the complexity of tropical forest ecosystems (climate conditions, species interactions, forest habitat structure, and nutrient cycling) to understand why they are so biodiverse. In the second portion of the course students will study the ecology of coral reef and mangrove habitats. We will explore links between terrestrial and marine ecosystems by canoeing a portion of a freshwater river. Along with covering important ecological processes and learning about local biodiversity, students will connect these concepts to Belize’s rich Mayan past and modern conservation challenges.
This course asks students to solve a number of mysteries associated with the metropolis: who really founded London? How does a tiny island come to be the center of the largest empire in world history? Why doesn’t Park Royal have a park or a royal? What do they have against pronouncing the letter “r”? Our course tracks the rise of the detective as a cultural hero, which coincides with London’s rise as the seat of empire, and puts students in the role of the detective, uncovering the mysteries of a great world city.
Students will engage in hands-on production, cooking experiences and cultural excursions, learning to analyze food and beverages from molecular, sensory, and historical perspectives. Through visits to artisanal producers, vineyards, and historical locations, students will gain practical experience in fermentation, preservation, and ingredient sourcing, understanding the environmental and cultural factors that define Italy’s celebrated cuisine.
This course investigates how biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, outdoor adventure, and renewable energy development integrate with tourism, historic preservation, economic and demographic pressures, and political conflict in a country with a rich history and diverse visions of the future.
We will experience the important markers on the journey traversed by enslaved people during the Transalantic Slave Trade. These sites have become part of a “roots tourism” which is an intentional economic revitalization strategy by the Ghanaian government to specifically attract tourists who imagine Ghana as “home,” a place from which their ancestors were taken. A leading question is the idea of “home.” What does “home” mean? Can “home” be a place you’ve never been? What do we learn about ourselves and others through changing perceptions of home? The course is based in the capital city of Accra, with excursions to the inland Ashanti region, and the Cape Coast.
We will explore historical and architectural sites and visit with living communities to gain a sense of the legacy, both good and bad, that these interactions have left in the region. Students will come away with an understanding of the religions’ historical and cultural effects and their continuing engagements on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar.
While students are responsible for securing their own internships prior to the start of the CentreTerm course, resources and general guidance are provided by the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) to assist in this process. Centre's partner organization Tsikbal also helps students navigate internship placements.
Students will learn basic tenets of Japanese Buddhism, particularly Shingon Buddhism, as well as Shintō, a spiritual belief system unique to Japan. At the same time, students will explore environmental issues directly related to the pilgrimage sites on the islands of Shikoku and Honshū and the prefectures of Tokushima and Wakayama, where students will be trekking. Visits to temples, shrines, and other related historic, natural, architectural, and cultural heritage sites will provide physical context. Scheduled meetings with scholars and key players in the tourism industry as well as coincidental interactions with local religious leaders and fellow pilgrims will help students understand the complex issues that arise when religion, tradition, and tourism meet.
The courses aims at 1) familiarize students with the notion of Internal Colonization, 2) making connections with different discourses (Politics of languages, green energy exploitation, and International military relations) and practices and see how they impact the life of the island, 3) developing student's intercultural skills by being in direct contact with local activists, 4) reflecting on the notion of national identity and its boundaries.
Students will further deepen their understanding of Colombia’s history with a visit to Cartagena de Indias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, they will explore the cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and the impressive stone walls that enclose this historic city. Additionally, the course offers a chance to experience the natural beauty of Tayrona National Park on the Caribbean coast, with its beaches, coconut palms, and the towering Sierra Nevada mountains providing a stunning backdrop.This course is generously supported by the J. David Grissom Intensive Language Study Abroad Award, making it accessible to students seeking to improve their Spanish and gain firsthand knowledge of Colombian culture.
In partnership with Yellowstone Forever, Winter in Yellowstone takes you into the heart of this stunningly beautiful country in ways seldom seen by summer tourists and car-bound vacationers. From the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch and Yellowstone Overlook Field Campus, you will journey through a complex story where history and conservation collide. In sub-zero temperatures, you will experience unrivaled night skies, learn how to dog sled, and track and research wolf and bison populations. Nordic skiing and snow coaching will take you into remote areas to study the park’s history and geology. At the same time, you learn how to navigate wilderness survival, including an evening in quinzhees (snow shelters). While open to any student, History, Biology, and Environmental Studies majors will find this course especially relevant, as will anyone passionate about wilderness and a possible career with the National Parks.
Latest News
Rising senior Kylin Jia paired two of his passions while studying abroad in Taiwan. A double major in Chinese studies and business, Jia is one of four Centre College students attending National Taiwan...
Centre College is expanding opportunities for students in Asia. The College faculty recently approved National Taiwan University (NTU), ranked the top university in Taiwan, as a new study abroad...
Building on Centre College’s prestigious Fulbright Top Producer recognition, the College is proud to announce that three students have been named Fulbright Scholars for 2024. Sam Adams ‘24 (Germany)...