Faculty-Led Programs

With a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program at Truman, your classroom is transformed by going abroad! These programs join familiar Truman faces with cultural immersion and field-based learning. The result is an experience which is as challenging as it is rewarding exposing you to new perspectives and opportunities while maintaining the foundation of Truman professors, classmates, and academic excellence you’ve come to expect. Explore our programs below, reach out to course instructors to learn more about a program, or contact the study abroad office to help you get started.

K-Culture Emergence in South Korea

Experience the heart of K-Culture through a week-long immersive journey across South Korea. From the bustling industrial hubs of Seoul to the serene historical sites of Gyeongju, you will engage with local communities and analyze the global impact of K-pop, K-drama, K-film, K-food, and K-beauty firsthand.

Course Schedule

Pre-Departure Sessions
Get essential pre-departure guidance on program rules and expectations, Korean culture, economy and industries, government, and beginner-level Korean language.

Immersive Field Trip
Experience the heart of K-Culture through a week-long immersive journey during Spring Break across Seoul, exploring historical landmarks and modern industrial hubs.

Post-Trip Sessions and Assignments
After the trip, you’ll write a research paper on a K-culture topic with guidance from the program’s director and present your insights in a group presentation open to the wider campus community.

Course Number, Title, and Term: KOR 312 | K-Culture Immersion in South Korea | Spring Break 2027
Prerequisites: None

Cost

$4,523 (Includes flights, travel, and accommodation)

Yung-hwal Park, Ph.D.
VH 2448
(660) 785-4249
yhpark@truman.edu

Spanish Language and Culture Immersion – Valencia, Spain

Expand your knowledge of Spanish culture and language through this Faculty Led Spanish Immersion program. This program allows students to fulfill their Foreign Language Intermediate Proficiency requirement for the Dialogues (six credits) or earn six credit hours of upper level Spanish classes that may be applied to the Spanish Minor or to the Modern Language: Spanish Major. This program involves 5 hours in the classroom (alternating daily between a morning and afternoon “crisscross” schedule) and two weeknights engaged in cultural activities arranged by Taronja. Outside of the classroom, students will grow their Spanish abilities by participating in the native culture daily; living with a host family, taking educational field trips to different parts of Valencia Province—including different day trips on the weekend—and taking part in other group activities.

Classes offered include:

  1. Intermediate levels:
    1. ESP 210: Intermediate Spanish I
    2. ESP202: Intermediate Spanish II
  2. Advanced (low and high) levels:
    1. ESP 335: Spanish Grammar and Composition I OR ESP 365: Spanish Grammar and Composition II
    2. ESP 340: Spanish Conversation I OR ESP 345: Spanish Conversation II
  3. Superior level:
    1. ESP 395: Advanced Spanish Conversation
    2. ESP 450: Advance Spanish Grammar Composition
  4. Minor/Major specific classes:
    1. ESP 362: Civilizations of Spain (substitutes for SPAN 362: Civilization of Spain)
    2. ESP 355: Topics in Hispanic Literature (substitutes for SPAN: 353: Introduction to Hispanic Literature)

Courses and Term: Civilization of Spain (substitutes for SPAN 362: Civilization of Spain)
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 & 102

Cost:

$6507.50 (Includes homestay, excursions, and some meals)

Stacey Davis, PhD
McClain Hall 331
(660) 785-4151
sdavis@truman.edu

South Africa: Conservation and Management of Large African Animals

“In the wilderness is the preservation of the world” –Henry David Thoreau

This course will teach you about the issues surrounding the conservation of Africa’s great diversity of large living mammals, focusing on socio-political, environmental, and biological aspects surrounding the current and future well-being of these magnificent creatures. This course is aimed at individuals who are passionate about wildlife and who wish to become a part of conservation in action. During this trip, you will receive specialized training and experience in chemical and mechanical game capture techniques, drug delivery systems, modern immobilization drugs, wildlife diseases, common species capture techniques, rehabilitation and release of endangered mammals, occupational health hazards, and translocation equipment and holding facilities. In addition, you will explore the role and importance of national parks and private lands as living museums within local communities and in the fields of conservation education and research.

Course Schedule

Pre-Departure Sessions

During the second block of the spring semester, you will commit one house a week to discuss literature on conservation biology and wildlife management, learn about conservation issues of African mammals, and review the basic biology of the many diverse species that we will encounter.

May Interim

Spend 11 days of hands-on work and instruction with Parawild Safari operating in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. During this time you will receive inclusive lectures and demonstrations of animal captures, species handling, and safety issues. At the end of the trip you will have the opportunity to visit Kruger National Park and participate in service events in the local community.

Courses and Term: AFR 300/BIOL 501G | Conservation and Management of Large African Mammals | May Interim 2027

Prerequisites: None

Cost:

$7030.37 (Includes flights, lodging, and some meals

Enrique Pareja, PhD
VH 2360/MC 2013
(660) 785-4780
epareja@truman.edu

How to Apply

  1. Apply through TruView. Select “Student” > “Registration” > “Apply to Study Abroad” > “Application.”
  2. Complete your Registration Agreement. To access the Registration Agreement, select “Student” > “Registration Agreement.”
  3. Once you have been accepted, pay the Truman Cashier a $200 deposit to secure your spot.
  4. For any questions or concerns, you may schedule a meeting through Calendly or visit us at BH 106.

Affordability is a core Truman value. There are several financial aid options available for students interested in international study, especially through our faculty-led programs. Academic scholarships, federal financial aid, and other financial assistance are all viable pathways which can make the study abroad experience more accessible. See the below information for information regarding our various forms of financial aid.

The Truman State University Foundation offers around $90,000 per year in scholarships to students who are studying abroad. Students applying for study abroad programs will be automatically considered for Foundation scholarships when they complete their TruView Study Abroad application by the program’s deadline. Individual awards typically range from $1,000 to $4,000.
Students who receive a Foundation Scholarship will also be expected to give one hour of service to the Study Abroad Office after the completion of their program. The Study Abroad Office will communicate with award recipients regarding opportunities to complete this hour of service that may include opportunities such as: volunteering at the study abroad fair, giving a presentation, meeting with a prospective student, sharing photos or pictures with the office, etc.

Some Pell Grant recipients may be able to receive grants towards programs with 3 credits or more. For programs of 6 credits or more, all students receiving FAFSA aid may be eligible to receive grants and/or loans through federal aid programs. In order to apply for and receive this aid, student must have a completed FAFSA on file and complete a Study Abroad Funding Sheet and return to the Study Abroad Office.

Students who are on track to graduate one semester early may apply to have one semester of their regular Truman Scholarships apply towards a faculty-led study abroad program. In order to do so, you must complete both a Study Abroad Scholarship Renewal Form and write a special letter of appeal explaining your plans (for guidance on this letter, please consult with the Financial Aid Office). Students should be sure to consult with the Financial Aid Office since there are some limitations on the ways that Truman Scholarships can apply to faculty-led study abroad trips. Students should also be aware that generally it is not possible to use Truman Scholarships during a May Interim or Summer term if this term will be the student’s last term before graduation.

Students who receive Pell Grants (full or partial) as a part of their regular federal aid qualify to apply for the Gilman Scholarship, a government sponsored program awarding scholarships of up to $4,000 to study abroad. To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship and to apply, visit their website here. Gilman Scholars are also required to complete post-program requirements that should be arranged with the Study Abroad Office.

Recipients of the Pershing Scholarship can be awarded up to $4000 towards a Truman faculty-led study abroad program, but they must complete the Pershing Scholarship to Study Abroad form and return it to the Study Abroad office in order to receive these funds.

In addition to the scholarships listed here, you may also wish to seek out additional scholarship sources beyond Truman State University. Each will have its own requirements and application process, but please be sure to communicate any expected awards to both the Financial Aid Office and the Study Abroad Office.


Faculty-led programs have a different payment structure than regular billing through Student Accounts, in that payments are made before charges appear on a student’s account. Rather than waiting for charges to appear, students must make payments according to the schedule listed on their program page. Please make the necessary arrangements to ensure all payments for your account are made on time. You can make payments through your TruView account by selecting “eDeposits” in the Student Account Suite, by mailing a check, or at the cashier window in McClain Hall. Payments made through TruView will process for several days before being reflected in your account. If you anticipate any late payments, would like to discuss alternative payment arrangements, or expect part of yoru program to be covered through Financial Aid, please contact Student Accounts as soon as possible.

Student Accounts
staccts@truman.edu
McClain Hall 105
(660) 758-4074

Participant Cancellation and Refund Policies
Students wishing to withdraw from their program or withdraw an application must complete the on-line program withdrawal request form in order to make their withdrawal official. Students who withdraw from faculty-led programs on or before the commitment deadline are eligible to receive a full refund of any payments they have made regardless of the reason for their withdrawal. Students who withdraw after the Commitment Payment Deadline but on or before the Final Payment Deadline will not receive a refund of their Deposit or Confirmation Payment unless Truman State University cancels the program (see details in the Program Cancellation Policy below), however they will receive a refund of any payments made towards the Final Payment for the program. Student who withdraw after the Final Payment Deadline will not receive a refund of any payments they have made towards the program unless Truman State University cancels the program (see details in the Program Cancellation Policy below).

Program Cancellation Policy
The Center for International Education Abroad (CIEA) works for the success of all study abroad programs; however, it reserves the right to cancel any program at any time and for any reason it deems necessary for the good of the participants in the program or the interests of Truman State University. Generally, there are two situations under which a faculty-led study abroad program might be cancelled by CIEA. First, programs may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. This occurs when a program fails to reach the minimum number of confirmed participants by the Confirmation Payment Deadline or when other events lead a program to have to be cancelled before it is confirmed. Since program funds are never spent until the program is confirmed, participants in programs cancelled before or as of the Confirmation Payment Deadline will all receive a full refund of all program fees they have paid to that point. The second circumstance is cancellation due to unforeseeable circumstances after a program has been confirmed. While CIEA attempts to avoid cancellation wherever possible, there are certain times when it is unavoidable, such as global pandemic, changes in local conditions, or even if a large number of late withdrawals makes a program financially non-viable. Under these circumstances, CIEA will issue all participants a refund of all program fees which have not already been paid in non-refundable payments to a third party vendor. CIEA will do its best under such circumstances to recover all costs and mitigate any losses for students, but cannot guarantee a full refund. In the extremely rare event that a program were cancelled while in progress, the Executive Director for International Education in consultation with the VPAA, the Comptroller, and University Council would review the circumstances and make a determination regarding any refunds.

Student Dismissal Policy
Students who participate in faculty-led study abroad programs agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the Student Conduct Code, all related Truman Policies, and with all rules and expectations articulated on the Study Abroad Website, program webpage, or by their program director through the course syllabus, pre-departure orientations, and other handouts or communications. Students who fail to conduct themselves according to these standards may be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal from the program. When a student is dismissed from a faculty-led program they will not receive a refund of any program payments they have made. Additionally, such students will be liable for all expenses related to their early departure from the program and return home (including, for example, all flight change and transportation costs). Students who are expelled from their program will also receive an automatic failing grade for the credits attempted on the program.



While your instructor will be your primary point of contact for your program, the Study Abroad Office is here to help you navigate the administrative and safety aspects of your study abroad experience. We will work with you, advocate for you, and help guide you as you complete all the steps involved in study abroad. Schedule a meeting today through Calendly, email (studyabroad@truman.edu), or calling (660) 785-4076.