COAS Global Experiences
Developing Successful Global Leaders!
Established as the College of Liberal Arts (in 1868), the College of Arts and Sciences (as it was renamed in 1992) is the oldest and largest academic unit of Howard University, with close to 5,000 enrolled students. Nicknamed “The Flagship,” the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) provides students with a first-class education grounded in the quest for intellectual freedom, social justice, artistic expression, experiential learning, and the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence. As the Flagship of Howard University, COAS involves students in cutting edge research and hands-on learning. Students also build their knowledge and learning through co-curricular engagements that nurture their sense of responsibility to communities based locally, nationally, and internationally.
The College of Arts and Sciences is leading the way when it comes to study abroad at Howard University. After a yearlong process, in Spring 2024 the COAS Office of Academic Student Affairs is launching the first streamlined study abroad academic pipeline at Howard University.
In COAS, students benefit from international experiences that are embedded within bold and innovative interdisciplinary courses that bridge the humanities to the natural and social sciences. These credit-bearing courses are semester-long courses that combine short study abroad experiences (during spring break, winter break, or summer break). Students can also benefit from longer study abroad experiences for a full semester abroad (fall or spring) through bilateral exchange programs we designed with international universities (i.e., Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne in France).
This new study abroad pipeline responds to the demands of a fast-changing and diverse world. In COAS, we aim for our students to be part of a community that encourages them to become successful global leaders. We empower them to become life-long learners and foster in them a love for freedom, justice, and a commitment to excellence, truth, and service through a global lens. We help students become innovators who can meet societal challenges and produce positive transformational outcomes nationally and internationally.
New Programs to Increase the Internationalization of COAS!
Flagship International Buddy Program
We are pleased to introduce the Flagship International Buddy Program, which holds paramount significance in fostering a supportive and enriching environment for incoming exchange students from international partner institutions. The program serves as a vital bridge between the international students’ home country and the unfamiliar terrain of Howard University. By pairing them with local student buddies, the program ensures a smoother transition, offering practical assistance in navigating several administrative processes. Through organized events, outings, and language exchange sessions, exchange students can also immerse themselves in the local culture, forging connections that transcend geographical borders. The Flagship International Buddy Program is also an innovative networking opportunity for peer-to-peer student mentoring.
Flagship Passport Drive
Every year, the College of Arts and Sciences hosts a Free Passport Drive. Through this initiative, over 200 eligible COAS students can obtain a new passport at no cost and partake in our various COAS faculty-led study abroad or exchange programs opportunities. We believe that access to a passport should not be a barrier to students becoming emerging global leaders. We look forward to assisting students on their journey towards global experiences, we want them to be ready to embark on a new chapter of learning and discovery with their passport in hand!
Flagship Bilateral Faculty Exchanges
Concurrent with our new study abroad pipeline, we are pleased to also launch various inaugural programs that support the internationalization of COAS. Our new Global Fellows Program allows for bilateral faculty exchanges (COAS receives international scholars from partner institutions and sends COAS faculty to partner institutions abroad).
COAS Department Globalization Projects
COAS Departments are also encouraged to develop globalization projects that hold a broad reach and impact. We support COAS Departments working in innovative ways to bring global luminaries to campus (e.g., thought leaders, government officials, global influencers, international policy wonks), to develop projects with major international fora occurring domestically, or to increase the cultural diversity and the community growth of our College of Arts and Sciences.
Other Vetted COAS Study Abroad Programs
- University of Leicester, England (more information coming soon!)
Global Opportunities in COAS for Students!
As COAS students, we encourage you to incorporate studying abroad in your college experience. Through study abroad, you will not only expand your academic knowledge but also develop valuable life skills such as adaptability, independence, and cross-cultural communication. By connecting with peers from around the globe, you will also forge lifelong friendships, and create lasting memories while exploring the rich tapestry of our world. Study abroad is your passport to personal and academic enrichment, and it's a decision that will shape your future in remarkable ways. Embrace the adventure and let the world become your classroom as The Flagship supports your journey of becoming a successful global leader!
Explore COAS Study Abroad Opportunities!
Spring 2024
LET'S GO TO AFRICA:
- SWAH: Swahili level 2 in Kenya
- SWAH: Language in National Development in Kenya
- INST: International Experience with Dean Patterson in South Africa
- HIST: Society, Culture, and Historical Memory in West Africa: Ghana
LET'S GO TO EUROPE:
- HNRS: Crime, (In)Justice, & Paris
- CLAS: International Experience in Greece
- Summer Program in Bologna Italy
(COAS Flagship Ambassador Liaison for the SAIS Summer Program in Bologna Italy: katherine.saint-pre@bison.howard.edu)
LET'S GO TO SOUTH AMERICA:
Spring 2025
LET'S GO TO AFRICA:
- AFST: Africa in the Disciplines in Kenya
- HIST: Society, Culture, and Historical Memory in West Africa: An Intensive Study of Ghana
- SWAH 01: Language in National Development in Kenya
- SWAH 02: Swahili in Kenya
LET'S GO TO EUROPE:
- ENG: The African Influence and Experience in Madrid, Paris, and Amsterdam
- IDS: Greece and Rome with an International Experience in Italy
LET'S GO TO NORTH AMERICA:
SOCI: Empires, Colonialism, Decolonization in Martinique
COAS Study Abroad Survey
If you have studied abroad in the past year, we would love to hear more about your experience! Please use the link below to complete the study abroad survey. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continuously strive to improve and gain a better understanding of the impact and benefits of studying abroad for our COAS Bisons. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.
If you have had more than one study abroad trip or internship in the past year, please complete a form for each experience.
Study Away
Study My Way
"Study My Way" is more than just a study abroad program; it's a transformative journey that empowers students to become compassionate, informed, and proactive global citizens. Each academic school year, handpicked teams from the Flagship Ambassador Program embark on transformative journeys to international destinations. During this time, students take the reins of planning, organizing, and executing service learning initiatives while immersing themselves in the local culture and forging strategic connections. By representing their college abroad, students not only serve as ambassadors of their institution but also as global citizens dedicated to making a positive impact on the world.
The program embodies the values of service, exploration, and global citizenship, aiming to broaden students' perspectives and enhance their personal and academic growth. Through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions with diverse communities, participants develop a deeper understanding of global issues and the role they can play in addressing them. "Study My Way" empowers students to transcend classroom boundaries, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and empathy needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with purpose and integrity.
Team Ture's Study My Way Experiential Learning Project: “Tutors 4 Trinidad”
Global Opportunities in COAS for Faculty!
COAS Faculty Led Study Abroad Programs: Additional Resources
Important Links/Contacts
Currency Converter: https://www.xe.com/
Travel Advisory: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
International Travel US Citizens abroad: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
CDC Travelers' Health: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/studying-abroad
International Destinations and Travelers' Health: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
Mandatory STEP Enrollment for Students: https://step.state.gov/step/
Travel Insurance, Health Insurance, Medical Evacuation Insurance (yellow book): https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/health-care-abroad/insurance