Summer Sessions

* 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 23, 2026.

Students must submit all application materials, including personal statement and academic references, by December 1, 2025. A link to each course’s 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 “Commitment to Attend” by January 15, 2026. This commitment will appear on the student’s 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 15, 2026 Commitment/Withdrawal deadline. To withdraw, the student must notify both Vanderbilt 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 2026:

Commitment deadline – March 9: 25% of program fee

March 10 – April 16: 50% of program fee

April 17 – May 3: 75% of program fee

After May 4: 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’s Office of the Undergraduate College teaching the Maymester.

After the start of the course, students who withdraw are subject to 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’s Office of the Undergraduate College teaching the Maymester. Students should contact Study Abroad who will route students to the appropriate contact in the Dean’s Office of the relevant college.

*Vanderbilt reserves the right to bill students for any unrecoverable costs.

Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt-approved, credit-bearing, off-campus Maymester programs. Off-campus Maymester programs have their own withdrawal and refund policy. See details on this page.

Apply for the Global Summer Fellows Scholarship here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/immersion/funding/.

MAYMESTER IN KOREA

ASIA 1480 - Discover Korea

Discover South Korea: the home of BTS, BLACKPINK, Twice and New Jeans, the country behind ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Parasite’, and the origin of Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motors, etc. 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 and New Jeans are at the forefront of the K-Pop sensation, while works such as ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Parasite’ 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’s largest and fastest-growing economies. Today, South Korea is one of the US’s largest trading partners and is a global leader in IT technology. South Korea also has a storied history and lies at the center of one of the world’s most complex geopolitical situations. The security alliance between the US and South Korea is notable for its longevity and key role on the Korean peninsula.  This program offers one day of basic Korean language instruction along with meetings with Korean college students, several guest lectures by experts on Korean culture, politics, and economy, and various cultural and business excursions such as K-pop dance class, cooking class, visits to famous cultural and business sites, a three-day overnight trip, day trips, etc. Students will be able to develop a new perspective and appreciation for South Korea and its culture, history, and economy through a uniquely immersive experience. For more information about the excursions, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/discover-korea or contact Dr. Seok Bae Jang at seok.jang@vanderbilt.edu.

Approximate total cost: $15,835*

Apply

MAYMESTER IN GREECE

CLAS 3700: Uncovering Greek Religion: Cults, Festivals, and Sanctuaries in the Ancient World

This course introduces students to the history, archaeology, art, and architecture of ancient Greece from the Bronze Age to the end of the Roman Empire by studying these subjects through the lens of ancient Greek religion. Nevertheless, we also will evaluate the significance of Greek religion in other aspects of ancient Greek society, including social and political themes, especially as no division between church and state existed; other areas of Greek culture deeply affected by religion, including military and athletics, also will be covered. We will study how Greek religion both changed and held on to its past links, from the Mycenaean period through the Classical Age to the early years of Christianity, a fascinating continuity of religion for millennia.

Through visits to several dozen archaeological sites, we will begin our study of ancient Greece through an introduction to ancient Greek architecture and the various forms of temples and sanctuaries. We also will intensively study other types of archaeological material, including pottery and sculpture, on-site and in museums to analyze the significance of visual media in Greek culture.  We will incorporate other types of source materials, including literature, epigraphy, and numismatics, to best understand life in ancient Greece. Finally, we will study other processes, including excavation and conservation, to understand how we actively reconstruct the past by visiting many museums throughout Greece.

Approximate total cost: $14,622*

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MAYMESTER IN CHINA

DS 3891 - Special Topics: Applied Generative AI with Global Perspectives

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) models, including ChatGPT, GPT-4, and other transformer-based deep learning architectures, are at the forefront of technological innovation. This study abroad program will integrate our existing Generative AI course with hands-on exposure to AI development and adoption in China, a global leader in AI research, deployment, and commercialization. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of generative AI models and their real-world applications through academic lectures, industry visits, and cultural immersion. By engaging with researchers, engineers, and business leaders, students will explore cutting-edge advancements in areas such as prompt engineering, AI-powered automation, and large-scale AI deployment across sectors like healthcare, finance, and smart cities.

This program will enhance classroom learning by allowing students to witness AI-driven innovations in action. Site visits to top universities and AI labs will deepen their technical understanding of transformer architectures and training methodologies, while company visits will provide insights into how businesses are integrating generative AI into their products and services. Students will also experience firsthand how AI technologies are shaping everyday life in China, from intelligent customer service chatbots to AI-driven recommendation systems and autonomous transportation solutions. By combining theoretical coursework with real-world exposure, this study abroad experience will prepare students for the rapidly evolving AI landscape, equipping them with the skills and global perspectives needed to navigate the future of AI-driven industries. (An alternative destination would be Japan, if logistics do not work out for China given the current security and safety regulations.)

• Language prerequisites/requirements: None
• Other prerequisites: None

Approximate total cost: $15,022*

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MAYMESTER IN FRANCE

FREN 3230/CMA 3772 - History and Economics of French Film: From Paris to Cannes

In 1895, the Lumière brothers showcased the first moving pictures in a Paris café. Today, France is the second-largest film exporter after the US and remains a key player in the global movie market. Every May, the world cinema community returns to the birthplace of film to celebrate at the Cannes Film Festival. This ten-day event, featuring film screenings, star sightings, and awards, is considered the most prestigious film festival globally since its inception in 1946.

This Maymester class begins on May 5 (arriving the evening of May 4) in Paris, where we will spend six days exploring the history and current state of the French film industry. Students will engage in an accelerated course covering French film history from its beginnings, through the Golden Age, the New Wave, and up to the present day. After gaining a comprehensive understanding of French film history and economics, we will travel to Cannes for the film festival. On our way, we will stop in Lyon for three days to visit the Lumière brothers’ museum. We will also take a day trip to Monaco and/or other Mediterranean locations with ties to European cinema.

After the festival is over on May 24, students can either return home (leaving May 25) or continue their travels in Europe. The final week of class, from May 26-30, will be dedicated to completing group projects inspired by the pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy Blaché. On May 30, students will meet virtually for a mini class film festival to showcase their final projects.

Approximate total cost: $14,050*

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MAYMESTER IN UK/USA

GSS 2264 - Travel Stories and Transatlantic Identities

In 1853, transportation tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt and his family embarked from New York Harbor to Southampton, UK on the first leg of his European Grand Tour. The Vanderbilts left amidst great fanfare aboard the new luxury steam yacht, the North Star. American journalists reported on the ship’s advanced engineering and luxurious accommodations, while the British marveled at Vanderbilt’s wealth, contrasting this “self-made” man with the European aristocrats he would encounter.
Students on this Maymester will follow a similar path as passengers on the Cunard Line’s Queen Mary II, the last of the Atlantic’s ocean liners. Following three days in New York spent investigating Vanderbilt’s cultural imprint on the city and its history as a global port, students will traverse for seven days across the Atlantic in a luxurious setting befitting the Vanderbilt name.

Onboard classes (3 hrs each day) will engage students in 1) stories of past transatlantic crossings and travelers, 2) theoretical questions of crossing, identity, and mobility, 3) the forms, techniques, and rhetoric travel narratives, and 4) practices of oral, written, and digital storytelling to document our crossing. In London, students will have two weeks to explore this port city for their own “grand tour,” experiencing cultural sites and events that offer “refinement” for “self-made” visitors. As a community of travelers, students will create and tell stories to document both the journey and their process of self-discovery outside the familiarity of their daily lives. Stories might align with or diverge from the Vanderbilt legacy, but each will help students embrace the new perspectives gained from a slow crossing in the liminal expanse of the Atlantic.

Time in New York will include:

• A tour of Ellis Island, the Tenement Museum, and Little Italy.
• A tour of Gilded Age mansions and artifacts from Vanderbilt history at the Museum of the City of New York.

Time in London will include:

• Group exploration at the British Museum, National Gallery, and National Maritime Museum to encounter artifacts and art works from various oceanic crossings and "grand tours."
• Group tours, such as day trips to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Blenheim Palace, where we will encounter the legacy of Vanderbilt wealth at home of American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt.
• Group dining in "storied" family restaurants established after various immigrant crossings.

Self-exploration to a variety of historic and contemporary sites matched to each student’s interests.

Approximate total cost: $17,035*

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MAYMESTER IN THE US, GERMANY, AND ITALY

ME 3890 - Special Topics: Modern Automotive Manufacturing

Experience the future of cars where they’re built. This course explores modern design and manufacturing automation particularly as it applies to the automotive industry. Students will learn how automobiles are designed and manufactured and complete hands-on activities in car design and assembly.

This Maymester takes you from America’s innovation hubs—Corvette, Nissan, and the National Transportation Research Center — to Germany’s automotive heart and Italy’s Motor Valley. Tour Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, and more while exploring lean manufacturing, electrification, and advanced design. See how the world builds mobility, from Tennessee to Modena.

What you’ll do:

• Visit Corvette, Nissan, Oak Ridge National Transportation Research Center and the Lane Motor Museum in the US.
• Experience hands-on exercises in car design and assembly.
• Travel to Germany and visit Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and BMW museums and factories.
• Take a day trip to the Black Forest and Triberg Falls.
• Travel to Italy and see the famous Dolomites region.
• In Italy see Lamborghini, Ducati, Ferrari, and Pagani museums and factories.
• Visit Motor Valley University of Emilia Romagna for an overview of their Master Degree program in Automotive Engineering.
• Spend a day in Milan.

Approximate total cost: $14,812*

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MAYMESTER IN BALI

MUSL 3120 - 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’s 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’s emancipation have given rise to girls’ 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’s art studio will provide additional opportunities for students to engage and collaborate with local artists whose work centers on environmental advocacy and community engagement.

For more information about the program, visit https://sites.google.com/view/2026-maymester-in-indonesia/home.

Approximate total cost: $13,698*

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MAYMESTER IN GERMANY

NSC 3892 - Monsters, myths, and the mind: The neuroscience of folklore

This course explores the biological basis for neurological conditions that were previously explained by folklore and early monster tales. Students will explore not just our current understanding of the cellular pathways and mechanisms behind each disorder, but also how historical perspectives and cultural attitudes shaped the folklore that arose from each condition. Students will learn how our rudimentary understanding of neurophysiology and cognition led to Johann Conrad Dippel’s experiments at Castle Frankenstein that are thought to have inspired Mary Shelley’s work. The course will discuss how neurological and cutaneous porphyria led to Nachzeher and vampire myths, how psychiatric disorders of the self led to the werewolf and witch trials of the region, with a particular focus on the role of Serotonin in these disorders. Students will travel to the locations associated with famous cases of Johann Dippel, Peter Stumpp, and the work of Hans Prinzhorn.

Approximate total cost: $17,335*

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MAYMESTER IN PORTUGAL - CANCELLED

PORT 2905 - Portugal and the Lusophone World on a Platter

This Maymester will explore how foodways are impacted by global sociopolitical forces, with a particular focus on imperialism and migration. Through an exploration of the history, culture and cuisine of Portugal and its former colonies, students will uncover the multiple paths and interactions of ingredients, ideas and people that impact what is on their plate.  Students will spend most of this trip in Lisbon, Portugal’s historic capital, which we will use as a base for exploring a variety of locations in the South and Center of Portugal including Sagres, Sintra, Nazaré and Anadia. Toward the end of the month we will travel to Porto, the second largest city, located in the North, and make side trips to Vila Nova de Gaia, Guimarães and Braga.

Approximate total cost: $17,455*

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MAYMESTER IN SPAIN

SPAN 3302 - Spanish for Oral Communication through Cultural Topics

This Maymester course is taught in Alicante, Spain. This coastal city is the capital city of the beautiful Costa Blanca, located on the eastern coast of Spain. Few other cities can boast such exciting and famous festivals, beautiful miles of sunny beaches, quaint old- world Spanish boroughs, and a richness of early architecture. As a native of Spain, I cannot imagine a better and more exciting place to host this intermediate conversational Spanish course.

​The objective of this course is to increase your level of oral proficiency in Spanish through the study of cultural, political, and historical events in an immersion environment, through living, speaking and studying solely in Spanish for four weeks. Students will be actively engaged in communicative activities designed and structured to maximize their use of the target language.  These hands-on projects include research, analysis, discussion, argumentation, and presentation of historic, social and political events that impact Spain in the 21st century. Through interviews of residents of Alicante, in addition to assessing journalistic sources, documentaries, and films, students will prepare their weekly presentations.  By the end of this course, students will improve their oral proficiency, gain strategies for effective oral communication in Spanish and have a deeper knowledge and understanding of Spanish history and culture.

Approximate total cost: $13,902*

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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, Logroño, Burgos, León, and Santiago) and Madrid (4 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’ll Do:

• Walk over 200 miles on the famous French Way, from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela, stopping at significant modern and medieval sites.
• Explore key cities like Madrid, Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León, and Santiago de Compostela—immersing yourself in the local culture, architecture, and local traditions.
• Learn about Spain's diverse regions as you hike through them, visiting cathedrals, monasteries, castles, wineries, and museums. Also, you will participate in a cooking workshop.
• Engage with guest lectures and workshops in historic settings that bring the history of Saint James and the pilgrimage to life.
• Reflect on your journey through journaling, culminating in a final project that connects your personal experience with the academic material.

How You’ll Learn:

• Participate in interactive discussions while on the trail, deepening your understanding of the history, religious, political, economic, and social dimensions of the pilgrimage.
• Read academic articles and watch films that explore the cultural significance of the pilgrimage.
• Work on group projects and presentations, where you'll connect course concepts with your own experiences.

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: $13,160*

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MAYMESTER IN PERU

SPAN 3330 - Cultural Studies in the Andes (Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lima)

As a cultural crossroad, 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: $12,075*

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MAYMESTER IN ESTONIA

RUSS 2210 - Russia Today: Political, Socio-economic, and Cultural Change

The goal of the course is to help us think about borders and Russia, Russians and Russian language
and culture and its influence on neighnoring states. Estonia previously was part of the Soviet Union.
Its easternmost city, Narva, sits at the confluence of political-economic systems – Russia, NATO, the
European Union, Scandinavia and an internal border of the former USSR – and at the nexus of social
constructs – cultural norms, languages, histories, religion, world views, etc.

We esplore the strong presence of Russia, Russians and Russian language and culture in Estonia (and
other parts of the former Soviet block), the role they play in the contemporary world, and our own
ideas about them, through community service and both broad and focused studies in language,
economics, political science, international relations, history, sociology, law, religious studies, music
and culture, etc. We will have a unique opportunity to see Russia's influence on the region from the
inside out. Vanderbilt students are immersed in Narva – Estonia's third largest city, which was founded in the 13th century and almost became Russia's second city instead of St. Petersburg – studying, serving,
exploring, interacting with Russians from many different social groups, including Russian university
students, and reflecting about their knowledge and perceptions of contemporary Russia and its
influence on Estonia and other former Soviet bloc states. Nearly 98% of people on the Narva region
are Russian and speak Russian as their first language.

Approximate total cost: $13,825*

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*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 the Study Abroad team in the Rothschild College, Suite 1070.