Explore Vietnam’s environmental systems through winter study abroad

 Travel from the industrial zones of Ho Chi Minh City to the farms of the Mekong Delta and the coral reefs of Côn Đảo National Park during Factory to Farm to Reef: An Environmental Journey Through Vietnam, Dec. 13–23, 2026.

This immersive NIU Study Abroad program will explore how industrialization, agriculture, water resources and coastal ecosystems are connected. Students will collect water-quality data, learn from Vietnamese researchers and community members, and examine the lasting environmental effects of war and rapid economic development.

Program experiences include:

• Visiting an active industrial park to learn about environmental management, wastewater systems and regulatory compliance

• Following the production of Vietnamese rubber from seedling to latex and waste management

• Visiting catfish farms, shrimp aquaculture operations and rice paddies in the Mekong Delta

• Speaking with farmers about how upstream water pollution affects their livelihoods

• Snorkeling the coral reefs of Côn Đảo National Park and studying coastal ecosystem management

• Exploring the War Remnants Museum, Agent Orange contamination sites and the historic Côn Đảo Prison complex

• Experiencing the culture, markets, museums and street life of Ho Chi Minh City

The program is led by Dr. Melissa Lenczewski of NIU’s Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment and co-instructor Professor Bao-Son Trinh of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

Undergraduate and graduate students in Environmental Studies, Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Southeast Asian Studies and related fields are encouraged to apply. Participants will earn two credit hours through EAE or CSEAS.

Program dates: Dec. 13–23, 2026
Program cost: $4,230, plus international airfare and other personal expenses
Application deadline: Oct. 1, 2026

Financial aid may be used for study abroad. Students should contact the NIU Financial Aid Office to discuss their options.

Apply through the NIU Study Abroad portal and search for “Vietnam.” Questions may be directed to the NIU Study Abroad Office at niuabroad@niu.edu or 815-753-0700.

Study Abroad in Coastal Mexico This Winter

 

Study Abroad in Coastal Mexico This Winter

Explore the connections among water, culture, community resilience, sustainability and environmental justice during NIU’s faculty-led study abroad program in Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

Water, Community, and Environmental Justice in Coastal Mexico will take place Dec. 28, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027. Students from all majors are welcome.

Through field visits, applied activities and collaboration with local partners, participants will:

• Explore cenotes, karst groundwater and coastal environments

• Examine water access, sanitation and tourism pressures

• Learn with Centinelas del Agua and local communities

• Investigate mangroves, sargassum and sustainable practices

• Consider how environmental challenges affect communities across the Riviera Maya

Attend an Information Session

Meet the program leaders, learn about planned activities, review costs and course-credit options, and ask questions.

In person
Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.
Montgomery Hall 353

Online via Zoom
Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m.
https://niu-edu.zoom.us/j/85362605398?pwd=dCSf0XejSbBfOaSbZEO4w10iuMghAO.1

Course Credit

Students may select from ENVS 496, NNGO 328, POLS 496, PSPA 496, SOCI 395 or INTL 301 for three credits, or EAE 494 for one credit. Qualified students may request Honors credit with approval. Undergraduate and graduate credit options are available.

Cost and Application

The program cost is $2,635. Airfare, most meals and the NIU Academic Program Enhancement Fee are additional.

Application deadline: Sept. 29

View program details and apply through the NIU Study Abroad Portal.

Questions? Contact Melissa Burlingame Greenhagen at mburlingame@niu.edu.

Still accepting applications for our winter-break field course in the Caribbean!!!🌍🌴🐠

 

WINTER-BREAK, 3-CREDIT, FIELD COURSE ALONG THE CARIBBEAN COAST OF MEXICO! with Ecosystem Field Studies   www.ecofs.org Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies   December 28, 2025 - January 17, 2026 ·  Earn 3 undergraduate college transfer credits in this exciting 3-week, hands-on, marine field study course. ·  Learn practical scientific skills & field research methods through snorkeling, SCUBA diving & investigating the coral reef, beaches & spectacular coastal ecosystems of the Caribbean. ·  Engage & connect with a dynamic & diverse group of student peers from throughout the US and beyond. Get out in nature by the ocean, breath fresh air, earn credit, and enjoy a safe and inspiring field science course in the Caribbean Coral Reef Open to students from all universities & majors | Accredited by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program: ENST 391- for 3 undergraduate semester transfer credits Direct questions to Professor Steve Johnson, EcoFS Director at steve@ecofs.org Visit www.ecofs.org for all info! Click on link below for a pdf format announcement or the image below for a jpg format announcement.  Thank-you!   Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies Announcement (pdf)

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NIU ay Oxford

 Oxford Summer Program 2026

NIU at Oxford More Info

Study Abroad in Japan (ENVS 491: Special Topics in Environmental Science)

 

DANTA Tropical Biology and Conservation Field Courses in Costa Rica

 We are pleased to announce our 2025 field courses in tropical biology. Our courses are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who have a keen interest in tropical ecosystems and conservation but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment. Participants may enroll on either a credit or non-credit basis.

As much of our advertising is done by word-of-mouth, we encourage you to spread the word by forwarding this information to students or friends who may be interested in our programs.

For more information, please visit our website at www.danta.info and/or email conservation@danta.email. For an alumni perspective on our programs, please see our blog DANTAisms - http://dantablog.wordpress.com/ [dantablog.wordpress.com].

Tropical Biology and Conservation
Date: December 26- January 4, 2025
Program Fee: $1900
Application deadline: December 1, 2024
 
Methods in Primate Behavior and Conservation
Date: June 10-25, 2025
Program fee: $2900
Application deadline: May 1, 2025
 

Wildlife Conservation and Sustainability

Date: July 1-16, 2025

Program Fee: $2900

Application deadline: June 1, 2025

Field Excursion
All courses include a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center, sustainable chocolate plantation and dolphin and snorkeling trip of the Golfo Dulce. We will stay overnight on the Boruca Indigenous Reserve where we will learn about the community and their traditional lifeways, and help with needed projects. Every effort is made to implement eco-friendly and socially responsible practices into our day-to-day operations, field courses and overall mission.

Join us for the Study Abroad Social on Nov. 21!

 

Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/applicants/eligibility/

 

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/applicants/deadlines-and-timeline/

Study Abroad in Japan (ENVS 491: Special Topics in Environmental Science)

 

Study Abroad Events Upcoming!

 

Volunteer Abroad!

 

International Learning Experiences

 

Field Courses for 2024!

 

Danta is pleased to announce our 2024 field courses in tropical biology. Our courses are intended for undergraduates or early graduate level students who have a keen interest in tropical ecosystems and conservation but have little or no experience of working in a tropical environment. Participants may enroll on either a credit or non-credit basis.

As much of our advertising is done by word-of-mouth, we encourage you to spread the word by forwarding this information to students or friends who may be interested in our programs.

For more information, please visit our website at www.danta.info and/or email conservation@danta.email. For an alumni perspective on our programs, please see our blog DANTAisms - http://dantablog.wordpress.com/ [dantablog.wordpress.com].

Conservation and Sustainability in Costa Rica

 

Winter Session: December 27 – January 10, 2024, Application Deadline: December 1, 2023

Summer Session: June 5 -20, 2024; Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

Program Fee: $2900

Application deadline: May 15, 2023

 

Course Description:  DANTA Blog

Methods in Primate Behavior and Conservation

Date: July 11 - 26, 2024

Program fee: $2900

Application deadline: May 1, 2024

Course Description: DANTA Blog

 

Field Excursion
All courses include a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation center, sustainable chocolate plantation and dolphin and snorkeling trip of the Golfo Dulce. We will stay overnight on the Boruca Indigenous Reserve where we will learn about the community and their traditional lifeways, and help with needed projects. Every effort is made to implement eco-friendly and socially responsible practices into our day-to-day operations, field courses and overall mission.

Discover Eden!

 

We have these exciting options for your students in South Africa, Kenya and Ecuador:

 

1. 14-day Marine Biology field course in South Africa
2. 19-day Big 5 experience in South Africa
3. 19-day Ecology South Africa course
4. 16-day Ecology Kenya course
5. 11-day Ecology Ecuador course

 

STILL accepting applications for field courses in Colorado 🌄🐻& Caribbean🌴🐠

 

 

Ecosystem Field Studies (EcoFS) is STILL accepting applications for our exciting summer field courses:

 

Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies

Colorado Ecosystem Field Studies

 

 

EcoFS thanks you for your past support and respectfully asks to distribute these course announcements one more time to your undergrads.  A second notification is extremely helpful for student timing. There is no set deadline, we will accept applications until the courses fill. Feel free to review all course info at the EcoFS website: www.ecofs.org   EcoFS Website You can view & download course syllabi at the links below:   Colorado EcoFS Syllabus   Caribbean EcoFS Syllabus Please email me or call 303 859-0173 with any questions. Professor & Course Director  Steve Johnson

 

SUMMER, 3-CREDIT, FIELD COURSES IN COLORADO & THE CARIBBEAN! with Ecosystem Field Studies   www.ecofs.org An opportunity to apply your classroom & textbook learning while immersed in a spectacular & transformative environmental academic setting!   Caribbean Ecosystem Field Studies * Study, SCUBA, & Snorkel on the Caribbean coast of Mexico       May 18 - June 7, 2023 Colorado Ecosystem Field Studies   * Study, camp, & hike in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado *      July 21- August 10, 2023 ·  Gain valuable career skills in hands-on scientific field research ·  Earn 3 undergraduate academic transfer credits over summer-break ·  Join a diverse & exciting group of college students for an experiential        learning experience of a lifetime! Get out in nature, breath fresh air, earn credit, and enjoy a safe and inspiring field science course in the Colorado Rocky Mountains or the Caribbean Coral reef Open to students from all universities & majors | Accredited by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program: ENST 391- for 3 undergraduate semester transfer credits Direct questions to Professor Steve Johnson, EcoFS Director at steve@ecofs.org  Visit www.ecofs.org for all info

 

Click on link or image below for Pdf Flyer:    2023 EcoFS Summer Flyer (pdf)