Study Abroad This Summer: Five Brandeis-Led Programs Around the World
By David Levin
April 6, 2026
• Student Life
Summer break doesn’t always mean that students’ education is on pause. For Brandeis undergraduates, summer can mean dissecting public health systems in Mexico, painting in the shadow of a Sienese cathedral, conducting chemistry research in San Juan, and more. Through the university's Office of Study Abroad, Brandeis faculty lead or oversee five programs in four countries — each combining rigorous coursework with immersive cultural experience. Every program earns 8 credits. All of them will change how students see the world.
Brandeis in Copenhagen
Economics and Business in Denmark
Set in the heart of medieval Copenhagen, this intensive two-course program lets students study business practices, economic theory, and European policy. Students spend much of their time in the field, visiting markets, companies, and government institutions alongside their coursework. The program is hosted by DIS Copenhagen and led in Summer 2026 by Dr. Nader Habibi of Brandeis’ Economics department. Students also pick up basics of the Danish language, and after class can explore cobblestone canals, castle gardens, and the city's famously people-friendly infrastructure — from bike paths to harbor baths.
Brandeis in Heredia
Ecology and Sustainable Development in Costa Rica
Based at Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, this program immerses students in Costa Rica's environmental initiatives through a combination of classroom learning and field excursions into cloud forests, coastal reserves, and national parks. Led by Professor Charlie Chester of Brandeis’ Environmental Studies department, it examines how Costa Rica manages to be a global model of sustainability — balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship while students engage directly with local communities, researchers, and conservationists. A brief Spanish language course rounds out the experience.
Brandeis in Mérida
Public Health in the Yucatán Peninsula
Students take two Brandeis courses on comparative healthcare systems and public health, with visits to local clinics woven into the curriculum for hands-on exposure to healthcare realities across the Yucatán and Latin America. A program excursion to Havana, Cuba adds an extraordinary comparative dimension. All participants live with homestay families in Mérida, eating three meals a day alongside their hosts— an unusually deep form of cultural immersion. The program is also open to non-Brandeis students.
Brandeis in San Juan
STEM Lab Research at the University of Puerto Rico
This program sends students into research labs at the University of Puerto Rico, where they’ll work under the mentorship of principal investigators in chemistry and biology. Students spend eight weeks on genuine lab experiments — not simulations — building professional connections and deepening research skills against the backdrop of Puerto Rico's vibrant culture and natural beauty. A brief Spanish language course is also included. This program is designed exclusively for Brandeis students.
Brandeis in Siena
Making, Seeing, and Mastering Art in Tuscany
Hosted by the Siena Art Institute, this program pairs two main areas of study: a studio art course taught by a Brandeis professor, and an art history course taught by an instructor at the Siena Art Institute. Together, these courses give students the rare experience of studying Renaissance masterworks and then making their own artwork in response. Field trips to Florence, Assisi, and San Gimignano extend the classroom into Tuscany itself. Led in Summer 2026 by Professor Joe Wardwell, the program is also open to non-Brandeis students and welcomes artists at any level of practice.
Going Beyond Brandeis
Make your own summer study abroad
In addition to the five programs listed above, Brandeis has approved roughly 200 off-campus study programs in about 50 countries. The list is constantly monitored and reviewed by the Office of Study Abroad to meet student interest, monitor health and safety, and meet academic requirements Using the searchable Brandeis Study Abroad Approved Programs list, students can view all approved programs, filtering them by location, area of study, and other characteristics.