EMU Intercultural Learning

Semester travel programs include 15 semester hours of credit taken as five (3 SH) courses. The experience integrates course content through analysis and experiential learning. The semester program meets the intercultural learning requirement in the EMU Core Curriculum through intercultural engagement, and other Core requirements such as language learning or themes in history, religion, culture, or an area of faculty expertise.

Summer travel programs provide exposure to another cultural context for 3-6 weeks. A three-week experience centers on the Core Intercultural Engagement course, while six-week programs include a second 3 SH course, as noted. The Washington Semester offers internships in fall, spring and summer terms. Washington semester coursework meets Core requirements in intercultural engagement and includes a 5 SH internship (summer) or 6 SH internship (fall/spring).

2026-2027 Intercultural Semesters

Washington Semester - Ryan Good & Ann Butwell
India - Fall 2026 - Gaurav Pathania & Mary Sprunger
Guatemala & Costa Rica - Spring 2027 - M.Esther Showalter

Summer 2027

Stories of Arrival & Belonging 3-week program (3 SH) - Ann Butwell, Marti Eads, & Bryce Van Vleet
Lithuania 3-week program (3 SH) - Mark Metzler Sawin & Erika Metzler Sawin
Washington Semester 10-weeks (10 SH) - Ryan Good & Ann Butwell

Harrisonburg Intercultural Courses

The Core Intercultural Engagement: Harrisonburg (3 SH) course is offered each fall and spring semester, and in the summer term. This course explores historic populations in Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley as well as experiences of more recent immigrant communities and diverse religious groups, to consider how human mobility and globalization touch all of our lives. Students closest to graduation will have priority for registration. - Courtney Joyner / Ben Guerrero & Elizabeth Miller-Derstine
Harrisonburg 3-week program (3 SH) offered each May - Debbi DiGennaro

Add your name to the EMU intercultural travel or Washington Interest Lists

Future Intercultural Semesters

Washington Semester - Ryan Good & Ann Butwell
Guatemala (Pending) - Spring 2029 - Wendell Shank

Apply to future travel programs Applications

Additional programs for future terms will be announced in 2026-2027

Contact Intercultural Programs intercultural@emu.edu to apply for these outside programs:

LCC International University A North American style university on the Baltic Sea, hosts a liberal arts student exchange program in Klaipeda, Lithuania. English instruction across the curriculum. Dorm residence with international and Lithuanian students.
Central America Study and Service (CASAS) study abroad for the semester or a 3 or 12-week summer term, supported by homestay, internships and field excursions.
Global Learning Consortium

EMU partner schools offer academic programs in a variety of settings. Students remain enrolled at EMU while studying with a group from a partner school. Future program details are listed on each website.