Studying abroad as an American Culture Studies student can enhance a cross-disciplinary study of America in providing meaningful opportunities inside and outside of classrooms.   Some of our approved study abroad programs involve students taking an American Culture Studies curriculum at a university in another part of the world.  Other approved programs focus on places in the world where there are especially thick past and/or present historical relationships with the United States.

In all cases, students have uniques capacities through study abroad programs to learn about different perspectives about the meanings of "America" and the powerful global historical, political, and cultural influences of the United States across a global society.  

Approved Programs:

• identify at least four (4) courses for Majors and two (2) for minors that suit their AMCS degree requirements and interests (provide title, course number, description, and link if possible)
• outline how these intended courses will contribute meaningfully to their course of study (for example, how they would complement remaining AMCS courses and/or informing their Capstone project)

This may mean looking not only at topics covered but a given course's methodology and relative interest in culture, capacity to complement or deepen a student's knowledge of a given field of study, etc.  If necessary, students should request syllabi for courses they are considering whose course descriptions are overly general.

AMCS Study Abroad Proposals must be submitted to the AMCS Academic Coordinator by no later than January 15 for Fall Semester and Full Academic Year abroad opportunities and no later than April 15 for Spring Semester abroad programs.  Students interested in non-AMCS approved programs and alternative programs for any semester must submit applications two weeks earlier than these standard deadlines. *Students are encouraged to meet with the AMCS Academic Coordinator early on to discuss and outline their goals and interests for their time abroad.

Alternative and Non-approved Programs:

Alternative programs are programs not sponsored by any Washington University department or program, and student participation in alternative programs is not common. Students interested in programs not sponsored by AMCS but are sponsored by another Washington University department or program are also uncommon, and require significant advanced planning and petition. Students interested in programs not sponsored by AMCS should first meet with the Overseas Program Advisor who handles that country and program (See "Our People" on the WashU Overseas Website). Only after speaking an with Overseas Program Advisor can the student contact the AMCS Study Abroad Advisor and ask to petition for an alternative program.