January Term Abroad
January Term off-campus courses are planned in conjunction with the International Programs Office (IPO) and led by Linfield faculty. They are usually limited to 10-12 students for each course chosen through a competitive interview selection process. Students cannot participate in both a Semester Abroad and January Term off-campus international program in the same academic year without special permission from the IPO.
Students participating in an off-campus January Term course pay a program fee to cover the cost of the program and their living expenses such as accommodations, land transportation and other on-site costs.
- The program fee varies according to location and format.
- Course costs and estimates are subject to change.
- $335 per credit is charged for all January Term courses, both abroad and domestic All Jan Term 2026 off-campus courses are 4-credits.
- Passports and visa fees are the responsibility of each student. Linfield will help to facilitate the visa processes and students’ accounts will be charged accordingly.
Students are responsible for any meal costs incurred during course days on campus prior to departure or after return. Meal provisions for the period spent off-campus vary for each course. Depending on location, student should plan on spending approximately $800-1200 for meals and personal expenses.
Jan Term 2026 Courses
The Americas
BIOL/JAMS 398: Diving into Coral Reef Ecology in the Bahamas
Faculty: Jeremy Weisz and Kevin Curry
Participants will travel to Nassau, Bahamas to study the ecology and conservation of coral reefs and learn how to share the story of the reef. Students in the course will also obtain advanced scuba diving certification(s). The majority of course time will be spent at sea aboard a live- aboard dive boat so that students can spend significant amounts of time underwater on coral reefs. Students will also meet with relevant people in the area to discuss the challenges of conserving these delicate environments while allowing residents to live on the islands and then produce a short film or similar media to persuade viewers to protect the reefs.
Prerequisite: HHPA 067 or equivalent scuba certification.
GLCS/HIST 398 Indigenous Histories and Culture of Yucatán, Mexico
Faculty: Sharon Bailey Glasco and Sonia Ticas
The Yucatán Peninsula, a region in southeast Mexico, is renowned for its rich cultural tapestry woven from the threads of Spanish colonization and the enduring traditions of Indigenous civilizations. The complex interplay between these two influences has shaped the modern identity of Yucatán, creating a unique fusion of art, music, cuisine, language, and celebrations that reflect both historical continuity and change. By delving into historical contexts, societal shifts, and the vibrant cultural landscape that characterizes the region today, students will have an opportunity to explore the impact that Mayan civilization has had on the region and in Mexico as a whole. Highlights include visits to the archaeological sites of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, and Tulum, an ancient city built on the Caribbean shore. Students can also deepen their cultural engagement via exchanges with Mayan groups and homestays with local families. The course will start at the Mac campus during the first week of Jan Term and continue in Yucatán.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course except for those interested in receiving credit for a Spanish certificate, minor or major in Spanish.
NURS 398 Healthcare in Costa Rica
Faculty: Naomi Pitcock and Henny Breen
Costa Rica has a world class nationalized healthcare system (CAJA), and a well-functioning private system that works in conjunction with each other. This course will compare the health care systems in Costa Rica to the USA. The impact of political, social, religious, and economic systems on health care systems, health outcomes of individuals, and health care professionals in Costa Rica will be examined. The health care practices of Costa Ricans with personal beliefs and values related to these practices will be analyzed. The role of nursing and other health care disciplines in Costa Rica will also be explored with an opportunity to engage with healthcare professionals in Costa Rica. The concept of Blue Zones in Nicoya Peninsula and the impact on health will be examined. Blue zones are known for exceptional longevity offering a unique opportunity to explore the social determinants of health including the environmental impact on lifespan.
This course is open to all students with an interest in healthcare.
Prerequisites: Fall semester prior to JT ’26 departure, students will be required to enroll and participate in the IDST 098 Orientation to International Study: Costa Rica (1 credit).
Europe
ECON 398 Economics of Association Football (Soccer) in England
Faculty: Randy Grant
Explore the economic structure and issues related to association football (hereafter “soccer”) in England. Examine how soccer (the dominant spectator sport outside the United States) and professional leagues in England operate very differently from professional sports leagues in the U.S. Study how structural differences elicit different decisions and yield different economic outcomes. Utilize the tools of economic analysis to critically evaluate and compare the two models (England v. U.S.) in terms of both input (labor) and product markets. Consider how various policy recommendations will impact both competitive balance in leagues and the financial positions of professional clubs.
Prerequisites: ECON 210. Fall semester prior to JT ’26 departure, students will be required to enroll and participate in the IDST 098 Orientation to International Study (1 credit).
NURS 398: Health and History in Central Europe (Germany and Austria)
Faculty: Kathryn Kuskie and Jessica Nesher
Explore the intersection of health and history in Germany and Austria. From the place where Florence Nightingale studied, to the city where handwashing was introduced, this course will explore the history of nursing and medicine and discover a Central European view of health. Beginning in Düsseldorf, Germany and ending in Vienna, Austria, stops will include Germany’s Black Forest, the Dachau concentration camp, the medical history museum in Bavaria, and the historic cities of Heidelberg, Munich, and Salzburg. Students will also explore public transportation and experience the arts and music to better understand their roles in the health of Central Europeans. This course is open to both nursing and non-nursing students and is an excellent learning opportunity for anyone interested in exploring health and history in Central Europe.
Prerequisites: Fall semester prior to JT ’26 departure, students will be required to enroll and participate in the IDST 098 Orientation to International Study (1 credit).
Asia
PHYS 398 Modern Transportation Systems in China
Faculty: Tianbao Xie
This course will focus on China’s public transportation systems that includes airlines, fast trains, and light rails that connect cities throughout the country. Student will have opportunities to hear from scientists and engineers about China’s movement towards the use of electric cars and buses to reduce pollution and visit the world’s highest bridge and a ride on magnetic levity train. A highlight of the course will be a visit to the labs that are researching the super-fast vacuum bullet train. Cultural activities will include Chinese culture and famous sites such as the Great wall and the Temple of Heaven.
Prerequisites: Fall semester prior to JT '26 departure, students will be required to enroll and participate in the IDST 098 Orientation to International Study (1 credit). PHYS 100 or PHYS 210.
PHIL/POLS 398 Philosophy and Politics of Happiness (Bhutan)
Faculty: Kaarina Beam and Robin Barklis
Comparative social philosophy course examining concepts and practices related to the cultivation of sustainable happiness in Bhutan and, by contrast, the United States. Bhutan, known for its policy of Gross National Happiness, underwent a peaceful transition to democracy in 2008. Bhutan is committed to economic and structural development that preserves its unique cultural identity and environment. In doing so, it serves as a model for the world in its pursuit of a national program for sustainable happiness. In this beautiful Himalayan kingdom, and based on the campus of Royal Thimphu College, we will engage with texts, lectures from Bhutanese experts, comparative seminars, site visits, and guided treks to better understand the unique history and worldview of this ancient Buddhist culture and how it is adapting to the contemporary globalized world. Students will develop their own projects, based upon their academic major interests, in relation to the general themes of the course.
Prerequisites: IDST 098 and at least one PHIL or POLS course or consent of instructors.
Airfare
For all tuition-paying undergraduate students, Linfield pays for the round trip airfare of a student's first experience abroad departing and returning to PDX. Estimated airfares are listed for each course for students who do not qualify for the subsidy provided by the university.
Contact Us
Students interested in any of the above programs should consult with:
International Programs Office
Walker Hall, Suite 120
Linfield University
McMinnville, Oregon 97128
Telephone: (503) 883-2222
Email: ipo@linfield.edu
Linfield reserves the right to cancel or change the provisions of the program at any time.