Virtual Summer Global Education Program

The SUNY Geneseo Study Abroad Office offers several virtual global educational experiences, including virtual study abroad programs, distance learning through partners, and virtual international internships. Please find information on each of these programs below. Please contact the SUNY Geneseo Study Abroad Office with any questions: studyabroad@geneseo.edu or 585-245-5546.

Summer 2021 Offerings

SUNY COIL Global Commons

Apply by May 3, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early! SUNY COIL Global Commons Application

Responding to COVID-19, SUNY launched the SUNY COIL Global Commons in summer 2020, a six-credit, applied learning program focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) that connects students with organizations around the world to address the most pressing challenges facing humanity. This program will launch again in summer 2021, from July 5 - August 13, 2021.

 

Course Details

Registration for the program includes two courses: Intercultural Storytelling for Sustainable Development and one of the SDG-focused courses. In each of the classes, you will have additional choices of which issue you would like to study in more depth.

A full explanation of the program is available at: https://system.suny.edu/global/coil-global-commons/.

Apply now! Application deadline is May 3, 2021! Apply early for first choice on SDG course selection! Note: you will be directed to the SUNY New Paltz International Programs website to complete your application.

SUNY COIL Global Commons Cost Sheet

SUNY Geneseo's Scholarship for SUNY COIL Global Commons - Due May 9, 2021

Virtual Learning Experiences

There are a number of opportunities to take classes virtually from international programs. For this summer, course offerings are through Webster University Athens (Greece).

Expand the sections below to learn more about what courses are being offered, number of credits, application deadlines, and other information for each program.

Webster University Athens

Location: Greece

Apply by April 15, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early! Webster University Athens Application

The Webster University Athens branch hosts the Odyssey in Athens study abroad program. It is a unique program designed to afford college students a rich cultural experience in the birthplace of Western civilization.

Athens is a modern city with a plethora of activity. This summer, Webster University Athens is providing students with the unique opportunity to learn about Greek culture, history, and religion from Dr. Stanley Sfekas, a philosophy professor at Webster University Athens, through a virtual program.

Athens, Greece

Athens and Lycabettus Hill (stock photo)

Summer 1 Term

Program Dates: May 24 - July 16, 2021
Course title: PHIL2080/RELG2030: Virtual Greek Mythology & Religion
Academics: 3 credits

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of mythology and religion through virtualization. This kind of education has led to a multitude of new possibilities for gaining knowledge about historical past of Western civilization, its culture, mythology, religion, philosophy, art, literature, and political institutions. Symbolic analysis is investigated from the standpoint of the theories of Campbell, Graves, and Jung. The objective of this course is to provide students with a theoretical framework for the emblematic virtual investigation of myths on the psychological, social, historical, cosmological and metaphysical levels. This is achieved through a mastery of the principles of Campbellian and Jungian philosophy.

Summer 2 Term

Program Dates: June 22 - August 13, 2021
Course title: ANSO3100/ILC2150[GLBL][INTL]: Virtual Modern Greek Society & Culture
Academics: 3 credits

An examination of the ethnographic make-up of modern Greek society - family, gender roles, village organization, kinship. Students will explore the concepts of honor, shame, patronage, and ritual as they apply to the workplace, the marketplace, coffee-house, and church. An analysis of the ways in which Greek culture has adapted to social and economic change, including the effects of mass tourism.

For IR Majors: This course will count towards the European Systems track.

Other information:

Siena Italian Studies
Location: Italy

Apply by April 15, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early! Siena Italian Studies Application

SIS has adapted its unique instructional approach to convey the most important aspects of their study abroad program in Siena, Italy to those that have or have not yet been able to experience the city in person. SIS prides itself in the teaching of Italian as a second language in a comprehensive way - allowing students to understand the socio-cultural realities that are inherently tied to the Italian language.

SIS strongly believes that linking the learning of a language (and other academic subjects taught in the L2) to this specific and unique place can provide an incredible added value source to the learner. Beyond live, in-person lessons with qualified instructors, students will be provided with a data bank of specific online material that will allow the student to develop a new kind of familiarity with this place, its people and its language. This may include a series of interviews, videos, pre-recorded lectures, virtual visits and conceptual maps to help the learner apply the language to online content and familiarize themselves with the linguistic context online.

SIS online courses are designed for students who are unable to participate in an in-person study abroad experience at the moment. The courses can also be used to prepare students for their upcoming semester abroad or to complete a foreign language requirement after a single semester abroad.

Program Dates: June 14- July 23, 2021
Academics: 3-9 credits

Academic Structure

Courses can be selected individually or as packages.

Course Offerings

Language:

- Italian (all levels) 

Content Course (taught in Italian):*

- Sociolinguistics 

- Italy: Land of Migrations

- Medieval Italian History

*Note: If interested in taking a content course in Italian, you must have taken at least one semester of Italian or the equivalent.

For IR Majors: The "Italy: Land Of Migrations" course will count towards the European Systems track.

More Information:

 

 

Survey of International Organizations (SIO) 

Location: Switzerland

Apply by May 3, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early! Survey of International Organizations (SIO) Application

In the Survey of International Organizations (SIO) course through the University of Fribourg, students will examine some of the world’s most important economic, political and humanitarian organizations from an interdisciplinary perspective. The goal of the course is to equip participants with a well-rounded set of analytical tools that help them assess both the future role of international organizations in the 21st century and their past and present effectiveness in addressing important societal challenges.

Program Includes:

  • Four-week intensive Moodle based online course with direct online contact
  • International expert asynchronous and synchronous video lectures
  • Mentoring, interactive sessions with teaching fellow
  • Virtual site visits and networking with senior officials at International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland and European Institutions in Strasbourg, France

Program Dates: June 20-July 17, 2021
Academics: 3 credits
Eligibility Requirements: GPA of 3.0 or better

For IR Majors: This course will count towards all tracks.

Other Information:

Virtual Internships

There are a number of opportunities to participate in a virtual internship with international partners. For this summer, internship offerings are through Kaya Responsible Travel (Ecuador, Morocco, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam), FSD Jinja Uganda (Uganda), and Foundation for International Education (UK & Ireland).

Expand the sections below to learn more about internship opportunities, number of credits, application deadlines, and other information for each program.

Kaya Responsible Travel

Locations: Ecuador, Morocco, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam

Apply by April 15, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early! Kaya Responsible Travel Application

Kaya is a volunteer organization that works with grassroots organizations in communities around the world. Through this program students have the opportunity to remotely engage with grassroots development work in Morocco, South Africa, Vietnam, or Ecuador. This work will "contribute to a capacity building-project for an organization tackling social or environmental issues in [a] location community" ("Remote Internship Abroad").

Why participate in a virtual internship with Kaya Responsible Travel?

All internships are "aligned with Kaya's mission to promote sustainable social, environmental, and economic development" (Remote Internship Abroad"). Students will gain valuable cross-cultural experiences while building their resume and working with local grassroots organizations and making a lasting, positive impact in that community. Students will also interact in cultural workshops and be paired with a local person to learn more about their host-country and community.

ecuador

 Hills near Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador (stock photo)

Program dates:

Session 1: May 24 - July 16, 2021

Session 2: June 21 - August 13, 2021

Academics: 3 credits, students must complete a minimum of 120 hours to receive 3 credits

Students will engage in their internships between 15-30 hours a week. View the program specifics through Kaya's Remote Internship Abroad webpage.

For IR Majors: This internship will count towards the Global Political Economy or Developing World tracks.

Additional Application Instructions:

With your application to Kaya Responsible Travel, you must submit a copy of your resume.

Other information:

FSD Uganda

Rice Fields in Uganda

Photo: Rice fields in Uganda

Location: Uganda

Apply by April 15, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early! FSD Uganda Application

This program is a joint initiative of SUNY Geneseo and FSD Uganda that provides students with the opportunity to engage in grassroots development work with a local NGO in Uganda. Students spend 15 hours a week for 10 weeks designing and implementing a development project through FSD Uganda, supplemented by training by FSD Uganda. Students have the option of completing two different types of internships: Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) or Community Based Development.

FSD Uganda's philosophy is that rather than solving deficiencies in a community, development efforts should work to augment communal assets and increase the capabilities of residents to better their own lives. In this way, FSD Uganda seeks to develop impoverished areas from the grassroots level in any way that can be permanently sustained.

Why participate in a virtual internship?

Engaging in a virtual internship opens you up to new learning opportunities in sustainable development while achieving positive community outcomes in Ugandan Communities. You will directly work virtually with grassroots communities in Uganda on a development sector of your choice. This will be an opportunity for you to develop an understanding of the unique approaches of grassroots development in which the community is in control, and what qualities make a development project sustainable.

Program dates: May 24 - August 6, 2021
Academics: 3; 15 hours/week for 10 weeks

  • Students will be expected to complete a total of 15 hours a week during the morning hours (EST) to account for time difference. Hours will be broken down into 3 hours/day. Exact times will be set with the student, FSD Uganda, and the student's internship site.

For IR Majors: This internship will count towards the Global Political Economy or Developing World tracks.

More information:

Foundation for International Education (FIE)

Location: United Kingdom or Ireland

Apply here by March 25, 2021! This is a rolling application so apply early!

FIE is a London-based non-profit educational organization, providing customized partnership programs and individual student enrollment programs in London, Dublin, and Amman for undergraduate students.

Traditional international internships develop professional, personal and cultural skills through enriching work experiences.

FIE Online's International Internship Course nurtures an understanding of digital cultures and hones independent working and time management skills. The online internship consists of both the internship and the course around it – allowing you to contextualize the cultural aspect of your experience.

FIE's online internships span these sectors:

  • Marketing, Advertising & Design
  • Film & Video Editing
  • Charity & Non-Profit
  • Business Administration
  • Communications & Journalism

Program dates:

Session 1: May 24 - July 16, 2021

Session 2: June 21 - August 13, 2021

Academics: 3 credits; 20-25 hours a week for 8 weeks
Students will engage in their internship 20-25 hours a week over the course of 8 weeks. The course component is delivered through video lectures, complemented by readings, materials and exercises. There is an online forum discussion space led by faculty for students to reflect on their internship and to discuss readings. FIE provides three one-to-one coaching sessions by an FIE Internship Mentor. These facilitate professional development, virtual competencies and career readiness. View the program specifics through their Online Internship website.

More Information:

London

London, England (stock photo)

Next Steps and Registration

Once you have determined which program(s) you wish to participate in, you must apply. Apply no later than April 15, 2021 (FIE has an earlier deadline of March 25th). This is a rolling application so be sure to apply early! Virtual Study Abroad Programs Application

Scholarship

Apply for the Virtual Global Education Experiences Scholarship! This scholarship is a $500 scholarship. This scholarship is intended for students participating on a SUNY Geneseo Virtual Global Education Experience during the Summer term. This scholarship is for Geneseo students participating on Geneseo programs. Financial need will be considered when selecting a recipient. 

Apply after creating your application for the Virtual Global Education Experiences application in Horizons. Apply by clicking "Search Scholarships" in your Horizons account. Application due May 3, 2021. Questions? E-mail studyabroad@geneseo.edu.