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Maymester and Faculty-Led Programs

Maymesters abroad are regular Vanderbilt courses (usually 3 credit hours) that are taught by Vanderbilt faculty in another country. They are typically three to four weeks in length, and offered in the month of May. A&S Maymester courses may also fulfill LIberal Arts Core requirements for Peabody and VUSE students, with approval from the appropriate Office of Academic Services.

Maymesters offered by the College of Arts and Science are generally announced in November; applications become available shortly thereafter. For more information about Maymester course offerings and to apply, go to A&S Maymester Abroad page. Applications for Maymester are reviewed on a rolling basis, so you should apply early. Admissions decisions are made by the course's Vanderbilt faculty leader(s). Under-enrolled courses may be cancelled.

There may also some Maymester programs offered in the United States. For more about A&S Maymesters in the US, please see Vanderbilt Summer Sessions.

A&S Maymester Abroad Courses for 2023

Course No.Course Title
ANTH 2114Above and Below the Surface: The Caribbean between Climate Change and Tourism
ASIA 1480Discover Korea
ASIA 1781Sacred Space in India
BSCI 3228Corals, Koalas, and Cassowaries: Biodiversity of Australia
CLAS 3700Uncovering Greek Religion: Cults, Festivals, and Sanctuaries in the Ancient World
CLAS 3730The Roman to Medieval Near East: The Caesarea Excavations, Israel
CMA 3891Special Topics in Film Production: Non-Fiction Storytelling in Costa Rica
EES 3865Brazilian Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Threats, Challenges, and Sustainable Practices
EUS 2260Migration, International Health, and Social Justice: Geneva, Amsterdam, Florence, and Rome
SPAN 3302Spanish for Oral Communication through Cultural Topics
SPAN 3325The Way of Saint James, an Epic Trail to the Essence of Spain
SPAN 3330Cultural Studies in the Andes (Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lima)
THTR 3282Theatre and Performance in the British Isles

Costs and Scholarships

Fees vary by program and typically include Vanderbilt tuition, course-related transportation and lodging in the destination country, health insurance, and some meals. Airfare to the destination country, most meals, and costs of personal travel are generally not included in the program fee–but check individual program descriptions for specific details.

Financial aid generally does not apply to Maymester/summer programs. The Global Summer Fellows Program and other scholarships offered by GEO provide funding that can be used to offset the costs for students enrolling in Vanderbilt-approved, credit-bearing summer study and Maymester programs. You can apply for all of these scholarships with a single Common Application. See the full list of awards offered through the Global Education Office for more information and eligibility information. The Common Application is typically made available in November, around the same time that Maymester applications become available.