Planning to Study Abroad this J-Term?

If you haven’t heard, Elon’s short-term study abroad courses being in January (popularly known as “J-Term”) were released on March 24. There are over 30 programs to choose from, which can be very overwhelming for students trying to keep track of what programs satisfy credits, interests, activity level, etc., so we made you a brief guide for the winter 2024 abroad opportunities!

Many students save filler courses, such as society, civilization and expression requirements, for their abroad courses so that options aren’t as limited. Courses that satisfy these general credits in 2024 are: 

  • GBL 2050 Brazil: Through the Lens of ESPN — From Bristol to Beyond — Society

  • GBL 2930 Argentina: Latin American Social Movements — Society or Expression

  • GBL 2480 Vietnam: Business and Culture — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2800 China: The Flying Dragon — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2520 Costa Rica: Language, Culture and Ecotourism — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2870 Bosnia and Cyprus: Divided Lands — Politics, Borders and Identities — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2980 Dominican Republic: Baseball and Tourism — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2880 East Asia: Business, Culture and Economics — Society 

  • ENG 2570 England: Literary Landscapes — Lit Expression*

  • GBL 2670 France: Eat, Pray, Love — Sacred Space and the Place of Religion — Civilization or Expression

  • GBL 2470 Ghana: West African History and Culture — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2960 Great Structures of Europe: Technology and History — Civilization (or science non-lab)

  • GBL 2060 Hawai’i: Nation or State? — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2400 Germany: Holocaust Journey — Civilization

  • GBL 2600 Germany: Taking Care of Business — Culture and Custom in the German Economy — Civilization

  • GBL 2900 Ghana: Performing Arts in Cultural Context — Civilization

  • GBL 2940: Italy: Bodies of Knowledge — Healthcare and the History of Art — Civilization

  • GBL 2660 New Zealand: Critically Engaged Ecotourism — Society or Civilization

  • GBL 2030: Miami: Ecology, Conservation and Sustainability — Civilization (or lab science)

  • GBL 2590: Ireland: Literature, Culture and History — Lit Expression* or Civilization

  • GBL 2440 Spain and Morocco: Historical and Contemporary Encounters — Expression* or Civilization

  • GBL  2460 Greece: Classics in Context — Civilization

  • GBL 2330 Mediterranean: East Meets West (Portugal, Italy, Greece) — Civilization or Society

  • GBL 2070 The United States of America: The Presidential Campaign Starts Here — The First Primaries — Society

Obviously, there are an abundance of courses that satisfy your general society, civilization and expression credits. There are two courses, England: Literary Landscapes and Ireland: Literature, Culture and History, which satisfy the literature expression requirements. This is a rare occurrence, and a great opportunity to get it out of the way while being in an exciting new place. 

Another thing to pay attention to while applying is the activity level. Activity levels are rated in four categories: easy-going, moderate, challenging and demanding. Most courses rated challenging involve walking the towns and cities you are immersed with and/or busy, long days of learning. Vietnam: Business and Culture and WT Morocco: Human Services Practicum are examples of programs with this type of activity level, but most courses fall in the challenging/moderate range.

Only a select few programs fall under the “demanding” category. These programs involve keeping a steady pace on rugged and steep terrain and stepping outside your comfort zone. For example, the HISTORIC WT Tanzania: Wilderness and Adventure Therapy program involves climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, a 19,341 foot dormant volcano. One particular program being offered this coming winter is even rated as demanding PLUS. WT New Zealand: Critically Engaged Ecotourism involves hiking, kayaking, rafting and camping for at least two nights. It is strongly recommended that if you do not enjoy hiking, you choose a different program. For students looking to be active and push themselves out of their comfort zone, these two programs will offer great challenges, experiences and accomplishments. 

To learn more and find the right program for you, browse the GEC website HERE for more J-Term abroad options!

TravelMadi Rotermund