Each program connects classroom theory with practical fieldwork, allowing students to see family and youth development or nonprofit concepts in action across different cultural contexts.
Professional Experience
Students gain direct experience working with international NGOs, youth organizations, and community programs, building resumes and professional networks that set them apart in the job market.
Cultural Competency
In our communities, understanding how families and youth development vary across cultures is crucial. Our study abroad programs provide deep cultural immersion that enhances students' ability to understand and work with different cultures.
Service Learning
All three study abroad programs stress hands-on service, giving students meaningful ways to apply their FYCS knowledge while making real impacts in communities.
Belize: NGOs, Sustainability, & Development
Dive into non-governmental organizations in beautiful Belize! The goal of this program is to provide knowledge on how Non-Governmental Organizations (nonprofits) are managed to promote social and other developments around the globe. This program includes field visits with local NGOs to develop a deeper understanding of their operations and impacts. Program assessments include case studies, field visit logs, discussions and presentations.
This Summer A program takes students on field visits to 10 different NGOs while staying at the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Students earn 6 credits while living in various conservation areas across the country.
UF in Galway & Gweedore Youth Development, Irish Culture, & Service Learning
Experience the warmth of Irish hospitality while making a real difference in local communities! This 6-week Summer B program splits time between vibrant Galway and traditional Gweedore Ireland. Students live with Irish host families in Galway and at a family B&B, work directly with youth development organizations, and immerse themselves in authentic Irish culture through music, festivals, and weekend excursions to iconic sites like the Cliffs of Moher.
The purpose of this course is to provide a transformative, experiential learning experiences in the context of youth development in Galway and Gweedore, Ireland. This course will provide youth development, service-learning, and cross-cultural learning opportunities, along with collaborating with community-based organizations working to solve local issues and enhance community engagement.
Explore the heart of Europe while studying family dynamics across cultures! Based in Frankfurt (Oder) right on the Polish border, this 5-week Summer A program offers a unique perspective on European diversity. Students live in international apartment-style housing, attend Monday through Thursday classes at European University Viadrina, and take exciting excursions to Berlin, Potsdam, and even Croatia
UF in Spain - Cultural Capital, Community Identity, and Development
This 5-week study abroad program in Sevilla offers a unique exploration of Spanish culture through the lens of cultural assets and their role in community identity, sustainability, and tradition. Students examine forms of community capital—human, social, environmental, political, and cultural—and how they support development and well-being.
The curriculum includes Spanish case studies and field trips to Madrid, Granada, Córdoba, and Cádiz, highlighting the country’s rich diversity in food, music, arts, and traditions. Students also explore cultural nuances like eating behaviors, language, family dynamics, and time culture, analyzing how heritage and community capitals intersect with institutions, policies, and broader development goals.
