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College of Education

Study Abroad

Education students in reggio emilia

Interested in Study Abroad?

Are you interested in Study Abroad opportunities at Clemson University with the College of Education? If so, follow this process: 

  • Attend a Study Abroad 101 Session! Information about days and times offered can be found on the Study Abroad website.
  • After attending a Study Abroad 101 session, students are encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisors to discuss academic requirements and to identify potential classes or subjects that they will be able to take while abroad.
  • Do not wait to plan your Study Abroad experience! College of Education majors have very specific requirements, and students are encouraged to meet with their advisor as early as possible to discuss their options of where Study Abroad may fit in their academic career.
  • You may also want to meet with a financial aid counselor concerning financial aid options and possible scholarships.
  • For more information, visit the Study Abroad website.

Get Started Traveling Abroad

Reggio Emilia Collaborative Study Abroad

Cultural Immersion Experience

This cultural immersion experience in Italy provides participating students with 3-6 credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate levels, beginning Italian language lessons, observation and direct experiences in Italian classrooms at a level of the student’s choice, visits to community sites and workshops at the ReMida Center, Malaguzzi Center, and an Italian dance class. On the weekends, students and faculty travel together to Florence and Venice, and students can elect to stay overnight on these weekend trips. In addition, small groups of students travel on their own to Cinque Terra, Parma, Bologna, Modena, and other cities in Italy.

There is a close relationship between the students and the participating faculty members. Students study a selected topic of research and work with an assigned faculty member, and faculty also travel with the students and share experiences with them.

The ratio of faculty to students is about 1 to 6, and this provides a safe and positive experience for all. Traveling to Europe is a rare opportunity and we encourage and support our students’ travel before or after the scheduled trip. Sometimes students fly into Rome and spend several days there before joining the group in Milan’s Malpensa airport to begin the formal study abroad experience. Other times, students complete the trip and then travel together or with family members to other sites in Italy or to another country before returning to the States. We encourage students to explore Europe while they have the opportunity, and we work with students to find flight connections, hotels, and other planning in order to facilitate the experience for the student.

  • History of the Program

    Reggio Emilia, Italy, is a city of around 175,000 in north-central Italy. It is located in the agricultural and textile-rich area of Italy and is known for the outstanding schools, healthy communities, beautiful architecture, and a rich history of the arts. This region of Italy is also known for its balsamic vinegar, Cheese, wine, textiles, and design.

    Students from Clemson University first traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy in May of 2006 to study the Reggio Emilia Approach to education. Joining the Clemson group were students and faculty members from the College of Charleston. A few years later, the University of South Carolina joined the group, thus the Reggio Emilia Collaborative Study Abroad trip has evolved into a very successful experience for approximately 30 students and six faculty members from these universities in South Carolina.

    The focus of the trip includes the schools, communities, and host families in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Students are paired and stay with an Italian host family who provides housing and meals for the students. In addition, these Italian families embrace the American study abroad experience, and they fold their student into their daily routines and family life. Students indicate that staying with an Italian host family is one of the highlights of the experience. Enduring relationships are built between our students and the Italian parents and children, and frequently these relationships result in future trips to Italy by our students and to America by the host families.

Eleuthera, Bahamas

Eleuthera is an island, full of natural beauty and rich culture, in The Bahamas, lying 50 miles east of Nassau. It is far enough away to be an international experience yet close enough to defray the high cost and lengthy travel associated with most traditional study-abroad programs. Students can arrive and get to work sooner, providing an opportunity to become wholly immersed in Bahamian culture. Students traveling to Eleuthera will experience a different way of life. Clemson professors have found it easy to structure meaningful study-abroad experiences for students while contributing significantly to the island and its people. While on the island of Eleuthera, Clemson students will be placed in schools appropriate for their major (e.g., primary schools for ECE) for portions of the day to learn firsthand how Bahamian education serves students, families, and communities. Excursions to the beach, boat rides, and snorkeling are included!

A serene beach view at sunset with gentle waves, palm fronds, and a thatched umbrella providing shade.

London and Paris

Learning Beyond the Classroom: Discovering Informal Education Experiences in London and Paris

What if the classroom had no walls?

Join us for an extraordinary 15-day journey through London and Paris, two of the world's most iconic cities, where history, culture, art, architecture, and everyday life become the backdrop for meaningful learning. This immersive Study Abroad experience invites you to look beyond traditional classrooms and discover the countless ways we can learn through museums, monuments, public spaces, neighborhoods, markets, art, performance, and culture.

In London, walk in the footsteps of kings and queens at the Tower of London and Kensington Palace. Explore centuries of art and design in spaces like the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern, and the National Gallery. Experience history at Westminster Abbey and the Churchill War Rooms. Watch Shakespeare come alive at the Globe Theatre, experience London’s famous afternoon tea, and enjoy the street performers of Covent Garden. Discover the creativity of East London’s graffiti, explore the vibrant energy of Portobello and Borough Market. Wander through Notting Hill and Greenwich and uncover the learning opportunities hidden throughout London's streets and gathering spaces. In addition to these incredible sites, we will take a day trip to Oxford to explore the university, and all the town has to offer the community.

Then, cross the Channel and experience the magic of Paris! Stand beneath the Eiffel Tower and Arc Du Triumph. Explore the masterpieces of the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay. Marvel at the architecture of Notre-Dame, Sante-Chapelle, and the underground Catacombs. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées and experience the magic of the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens.  Enjoy a Siene Dinner Cruise and learn how to make your own French pastries. Explore the artistic streets of Montmartre and the opulence of the Dior Museum. In addition to these iconic landmarks, we will take a day trip to experience the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles. From the Seine to neighborhood cafés, from historic monuments to public art and bustling markets, Paris offers endless opportunities to see learning, culture, and community through a new lens.

Each of these experiences are included in the program costs for this trip and there is also plenty of time on your own to explore!

Group of women posing by the River Thames with the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge in the background, holding an orange flag with a paw print.

 

  • Discover the Classroom Without Walls
    Large group seated along a long table enjoying afternoon tea with tiered trays of pastries and teapots in a bright, flower-decorated cafe.

    Throughout the journey, we will explore the informal education experiences embedded within these extraordinary cities and consider how educators can transform real-world experiences into meaningful learning opportunities. Whether we are examining street art in London, exploring a centuries-old castle, interpreting a museum exhibit, standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, investigating the history of Paris, or observing children and families engaging with public spaces, we will ask:

    • What sparked learning here?
    • How can educators turn places, people, culture, and everyday experiences into opportunities for discovery?
    • How can we connect what happens beyond the classroom to meaningful learning inside the classroom?
    • How can these locations support learning across age spans?

    These experiences provide opportunities to make connections across disciplines while developing a deeper appreciation for how place and culture shape learning. This program offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral course options. For undergraduate students, the course fulfills Clemson University's Global Challenge General Education requirement. The undergraduate course is also part of the Place-Based Education sequence available for Early Childhood Education majors.

  • Dates

    May 24th-June 7th, 2027

  • Fast Facts
    • Approximate ratio of Students to Faculty is 7:1
    • Hotel stays throughout- no hostels or housing placements
    • Opportunity for single room stays with extra cost
    • Breakfasts and some dinners (including afternoon tea) included throughout
    • Tour Guides included for most touring experiences
    • Transportation to and from airport included
  • Learn More

    For more information, contact Dr. Sandra Linder: sandram@clemson.edu

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