The Global Center

The Global Center supports and provides graduate students with global education opportunities

We believe students who study abroad gain the unique insight and perspectives necessary to thrive as global citizens committed to positive change. Graduate students have the opportunity to engage with international communities, where they can collaborate with future teachers in post-colonial contexts, become immersed in experiential activities focused on critically responsive multicultural counseling, or see first-hand how globalization influences nonprofit and educational leadership, policy and practice.

20+ courses offered across six continents

1-2 weeks short-term program

Three credit courses fulfill the international requirement

Global Courses 2025-2026

Discover the exciting global opportunities available for the 2025–2026 academic year. From innovative study abroad courses to unique programs across disciplines, our offerings are designed to expand perspectives and inspire growth. Explore the full list of courses and find the experience that’s right for you.

United Kingdom

MFT students will travel to London in Spring 2026 for a course on diversity, power, privilege, and oppression as they relate to social identities such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and more. With a strong emphasis on multiculturalism and social justice, the course prepares students to work effectively with diverse, marginalized, and underserved communities. Participants will develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to promote equity and inclusion in couple and family therapy while embracing the complexities of working in a global, multicultural society.

South Africa

Clinical Mental Health Counseling students can take part in this Fall 2025 program in South Africa, which combines coursework in addictions counseling and research methods. Students will gain knowledge of assessment, clinical practice models, and ethical considerations in substance abuse counseling while also learning how to design applied research projects in educational and community-based settings. The experience fulfills CACREP requirements and prepares students with the knowledge areas needed for national counseling examinations.

Chile

Graduate students enrolled in the School Counseling program will journey to Chile in Spring 2026 to examine K-12 student support systems through an international lens. The course highlights the design, implementation, and evaluation of Comprehensive Developmental programs, helping participants reflect on the status of school counseling practice and policy in their own educational systems by engaging with Chile’s unique approaches.

Jamaica

Open to students enrolled in the School Counseling program, this Summer 2026 course will take place in Jamaica and combines two areas of study: multicultural counseling and career development. Students will strengthen their intercultural awareness and counseling skills through reflection, experiential activities, and discussions designed to deepen empathy and cultural responsiveness. In addition, the course introduces career counseling theories and methods, preparing students to design and deliver career development workshops in local community settings, including a hands-on experience at the Trewlawney Community Resource Center.

Indonesia

In Spring 2026, students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will travel to Indonesia to study evidence-based practice in clinical counseling. The course fulfills CACREP requirements while offering students the chance to explore a range of evidence-based treatments, clinical decision-making, and strategies for integrating EBP into ongoing care through readings, discussions, demonstrations, and peer presentations.

Spain

Leadership Studies students will travel to Spain in Summer 2026 to study the Mondragón Corporación Cooperativa, a unique organizational model grounded in participatory leadership, employee ownership, and collective decision-making. Through lectures and site visits, students will explore Mondragón’s leadership, management, education, financial, and human resources systems, along with its global initiatives. The course highlights the role of culture and community in shaping leadership, emphasizing values such as solidarity, dignity, and social justice, while examining the institutional practices that sustain Mondragón’s economic and social success.

Netherlands & Denmark

Marriage and Family Therapy students will participate in this Summer 2026 course traveling to Copenhagen and Amsterdam. The program combines didactic learning with practical training, focusing on refining interviewing skills and applying treatments to specific client problems. Students will also receive both group and individual supervision based on videotaped and live observations of their clinical work, directly connecting the experience to the program’s student learning outcomes.

United Kingdom

Students in the Department of Learning and Teaching can take part in this Summer 2026 course in Oxford, England, which explores the relationship between education, culture, and society in a global context. Participants will analyze educational systems, socio-cultural factors, and language contexts across nations, with special attention to comparisons between the U.S. and the U.K. The program includes visits to culturally and linguistically diverse primary and secondary schools as well as guest lectures from St. Clare’s and Oxford University.

Italy

Leadership Studies students have the opportunity to travel to Italy in Spring 2026 to explore the foundations of social responsibility in business, education, and nonprofit settings. The course examines law, ethics, politics, and culture to trace the roots of civic responsibility from ancient times to the present, with an emphasis on how these practices shape leadership in a globalized society. Students will consider multiple perspectives on responsible leadership and reflect on the role of leaders in balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Spain

Students in the Department of Learning and Teaching can join this Spring 2026 course in Madrid, Spain, which focuses on Changemaking in K-12 education. Participants will study how schools in Spain and the U.S. approach the development of 21st century skills and explore the organizational mindsets, systems, and curricula that support effective Changemaking. Through connections with educators and young Changemakers, students will compare international approaches while examining inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Study Abroad

At Home, Around the Globe

Participation in a study-abroad program is a special opportunity to have a deeply meaningful learning experience that complements the liberal arts education at USD. See the options that USD offers around the world.

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Student Reflections

As a SOLES graduate student, you have the opportunity to interact and engage with other cultures while earning graduate credit for your degree. Explore the different experiences and adventures our graduate students have shared.

Experiences in South Africa

Traveling to South Africa with Dr. Jez was a life-changing experience and has been a highlight of my doctoral program. During this truly immersive experience, we had the opportunity to interact in the classroom around culturally-responsive educational practices with elementary school learners and university students, as well as educators and university professors.
_{– Cristina, PhD in Leadership Studies}

Experiences in Belfast

Every new SOLES student should run, not walk, to participating in a Global Studies program like the one in Belfast about the role of the educational system in a post-conflict community. For me, this was a powerful educational immersion with fellow students. There were none of the usual daily distractions, only reflection and then more and deeper immersion into the experience. When I got home, I had visited an amazing country, learned from the people there, and had a dozen new friends on campus.
_{– Peggy, PhD in Leadership Studies}

Experiences in Argentina

This experience marks my third Global Study course through SOLES, no disappointments yet! This experience in particular really solidified it for me, but it is incredibly fascinating how SOLES and their faculty do a really great job with cultivating these relationships across the world — having the opportunity to chop it up with prominent leaders in Argentina's social sector, US diplomats and UN leadership, who can say they've done that?? The learning that happened on the trip reaches far beyond reading textbooks or writing papers, this experience was a holistic developmental adventure that we (and other Global Studies students) are so very fortunate to have had!
_{– Novien, PhD in Leadership Studies}

Experiences in Japan

It was a life changing experience that I will cherish forever. I truly don’t think there is anything quite like this trip.
_{– Monica, MA in Counseling}

Experiences in Australia

One of the greatest things I took away from the Australia study abroad trip was seeing the world through a different lens/perspective than what I'm used to. I got the chance to see how substance use and addiction are treated in a foreign country and had the ability to compare and contrast their model of treatment with ours in the United States. Additionally, I got to extend my learning about trauma, ethics and addictions by attending an international conference which was an absolutely amazing experience!
_{– Carolyn, MA in Counseling}

Experiences in South Africa

My time in South Africa was definitely a highlight during my time at SOLES! The sightseeing adventures we went on, the food we ate, and the community work we completed all made for an amazing trip and learning experience.
_{– Irma, MA in Higher Education Leadership}

Experiences in Argentina

One of the unexpected learning outcomes of my experience in Argentina was the impact of relationship building. We had so many amazing formal meetings set up for us however my favorite experiences were the ones that were informal, such as the executive director from MALBA inviting us to an exhibit opening night. We got to talk to artists and get to know the executive director on a more personal level and talk about possible job opportunities and partnerships. It was a night full of laughter and relationship building.
_{– Caitlyn, MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management}

Experiences in Belfast

My trip to Belfast was life-changing in ways that I never could have imagined. Everything shifted as a result of our week together: my thinking, my understanding, and my view of the world, including our shared history, educational systems and personal identity. Looking back, I can't imagine having NOT gone to Northern Ireland during my time here at SOLES.
_{– Lauren, PhD in Leadership Studies}

Experiences in Australia

Don't hesitate to apply! It has been one of the most valuable experiences I have had in the program academically and personally. You become immersed in the course you are there for due to the trip's hands-on nature and you become closer to your classmates.
_{– Jasmin, MA in Counseling}

Experiences in Japan

During my study abroad experience, I became interested in the coping mechanisms the people in Japan used in the aftermath of the major disasters they endured. As we visited different cities and interacted with survivors, I realized that people, regardless of our cultural backgrounds, have such incredible strength to survive even in the face of horrific catastrophes.
_{– Emily, MA in Counseling}

Students, faculty and international visiting scholars can find an array of study abroad information and resources

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