Study Abroad

HUHC presently offers students the opportunity to earn Honors credits abroad through the Honors option programs, but these programs, based on enrichment of course content, are not always appropriate for the concentrated and diverse experience of study abroad. Now HUHC students can earn Honors credit for the study abroad experience itself.

The on-site experience abroad is itself a complex and transformative enrichment that aligns with the goal of our Honors Options. Students can now earn three (3) Study Abroad honors credits by completing a series of structured exercises forming a Study Abroad journal, using the HUHC E-Folio, or another format, by arrangement. The HCSA option does not count for additional Hofstra credit toward graduation, only as Honors credits. Credit is awarded for course work in the respective Study Abroad program.

The HCSA option entails the nine structured exercises – to be completed on site – which must include Exercise One below and eight others to be designed in consultation with the specific program director and the Honors College Dean or Associate Dean. The additional work is designed to structure the student’s observations and responses to the particular region, city, country and culture of the Study Abroad program. HCSA is possible for a maximum of six Honors credits total (i.e. two Study Abroad trips).

The structured exercises can include the following topics (or others by arrangement):

1. Everyday Life (Required): Describe your living situation and routine, and note 5-10 specific differences in everyday life practice between your experience there and the U.S., whether at home or at university. Elaborate where possible. This section is required and prerequisite to the others: students should make a dated entry at the beginning of their stay and again at the end, upon arriving and upon departing, and throughout the stay.
2. Architecture/Urban Planning: Describe the organization of the city and country in terms of (de-)centralization, public buildings and private dwellings (types, dimensions, organization of space, construction, materials, etc.), public spaces, landmarks, population, means of transportation, vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow, etc.
3. Art & Cultural Institutions: Visit multiple museums or exhibition spaces and describe which is most representative of the cultural tradition(s) in that city /country /culture, and why, in relation to the other museums. The museums should include an art museum, but not be restricted to art museums and can include any kind, such as city history, archaeology, technology, industry, film, etc. Which artist is most representative of that city/country/culture and why?
4. Live Culture: Attend at least two live cultural events – theater, dance recitals, operas and describe how these events represent and interpret “high culture”? How do indigenous or “home-grown” elements express themselves? How do performances, staging, and audience response compare and contrast with US performances? What are typical and representative art forms?
5. Statistics/Demographics: Drawing upon guidebooks and reference sources, prepare a brief statistical profile of the place.
6. Chosen Course Content: Describe how your chosen course relates or could relate to the venue of instruction.
7. Literature: Find the best bookstore in that town and describe. Find a work of fiction that represents the city/country/culture; read and write a short synopsis. How does the work relate to the city/country/culture. How is book culture different there? Are physical books different? What authors best represent, or most visibly represent, the society? How are writers viewed in the society? Do they speak out on other issues?
8. History: Describe briefly the historical events that have affected most profoundly the city/country/culture where you are? How is that noticeable in everyday life? What monuments are visible and central? What is the society proud of? Ashamed of? Is there discussion of certain events from different angles? What are the debates about that society’s role in larger historical events?
9. Sociology: Describe the people of this city/country/culture in terms of different styles of dress, adornment, identification (by region, language/dialect), manners, customs, holidays, sports, etc. If possible, cite your own direct encounters. What circumstances led you to recognition of cultural difference? When did you have to learn to do something differently than you are accustomed to.
10. Philosophy/Religion: What philosopher or religious figure best represents the city/country/culture and why? Cite a few titles, and read a short essay or book section, or synopsis of that figure’s work. Is there any visible trace of his/her thinking in the city/country/culture? What might reflect that figure’s status?
11. Economics: Describe the currency and your sense of the prices in that city/country/culture, and your impressions of the general degree of material comfort and quality of life there. What differences do you note compared to the U.S. in economic value and in values? For example, does one pay more to dine in a restaurant, but generally sit longer and get better service? Does one pay more or less for mass transit but get more or less options and better or worse service, etc.

Format: Entries must be at least 300 words long and reflect an ongoing process of inquiry; while drafted on site, they may be revised and rewritten for submission (via HUHC E-Folio) within two weeks of the student’s return. The content of the commentaries should reflect considerable time spent, though of course that time will necessarily overlap with other activities such as program/course activities or requirements, tourism or personal excursions. Separate entries or even sections can be numbered according to the category of the response. In that way, the journal itself would reflect the actual experience rather than an artificial continuity imposed later. Students are encouraged to include and comment on photographs, noting the context of the photos when they are added and, as appropriate, commenting on them more fully on their return.

Students interested in pursuing these options should contact Associate Dean Neil Donahue to discuss the requirements and arrangements.
Contact: Email | Telephone: (516) 463-4842