A fast-growing segment in the study-abroad market is the short term (one- to two-week) study abroad option, often falling just after Spring term at many colleges and universities. According to the 2017 Open Doors® Report on Study Abroad short-term study abroad participation has grown over the past 5 years. The reasons for this increase include mounting education costs and more demanding academic requirements leaving many students feeling like a short program is all they can squeeze in. A new and unique offering in this segment is the two-week program offered by Arizona State University, in partnership with one of the original gap-year programs, Up with People.
This experience offers full cultural immersion in two European destinations, and includes a unique blend of performing arts, international travel, and community service. Students opting for this program live with local host families and experience the world with over 100 international cast mates, while also getting a taste of what it’s like to perform in front of thousands of Up with People fans in a professionally produced musical show.
The first cohort in this program occurred May 6-21, 2018, in Næstved, Denmark and Bruges, Belgium. According to Aliyah, an ASU program participant: “As a music education major it’s been really helpful for me to see the different aspects of organizational leadership in Up with People. There are so many things in this program that are applicable to anyone at ASU, such as living in a host family, doing community service, being part of the show and seeing that kind of production. It can really help you in different aspects of your career.”
According to Eric Lentz, UWP’s Senior Vice President, “We already have world-renowned semester- and year-long gap year programs; this new initiative is an opportunity to welcome students to the magic of the Up with People international tour for a few weeks. We hope to partner with the study abroad departments at other colleges and universities to offer short-term program options for their students, and, in doing so, expose more young people to the Up with People touring program.”
In addition to this unique two-week option, you can discover more about ASU’s study abroad programs here: https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu/.
More information on Up with People’s semester-long touring program, and other short-term options, can be found here: https://upwithpeople.org/discover/our-program/
In addition to short-term study abroad programs young people are increasingly participating in short-term non-credit travel. In fact, Open Doors® reported that 23,125 U.S. students participated in non-credit work, internships, and volunteering abroad in 2016 alone. Up with People offers more ways for people to travel short-term including the eXperience and IMPACT Programs addressing the needs of those who are not seeking academic credit. The week-long IMPACT Program combines volunteer work and regional learning opportunities, all alongside the internationally diverse Up with People cast (100 college-aged students from over fifteen different countries). All elements in the IMPACT program are developed by Up with People with the collaboration of local partners and communities.
Along with the volunteer work participants take guided tours to some of the area’s top historical and cultural destinations and are special guests at Up with People backstage tours and public performances.
This unique international travel program gives participants a chance to experience exciting destinations with a new twist. Expose yourself to culture, service, travel, and even the performing arts.
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett
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