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One hundred days on the Great Mississippi to last a lifetime

The River Semester Runs every other year and will next run in fall 2025.

From its headwaters in Minnesota to where it meets the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River looms large in the history of the North American continent and in the American imagination. 

Spend a hundred days traveling by canoe and catamaran down the entire length of the river, developing a field research project, and participating in a completely unique, and fully immersive, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This customized study away program focuses on the areas of environmental justice, sustainable agricultural, ecological restoration, and the food, music, and culture of the American heartland.

A full program of co-curricular opportunities, including meeting with local experts, partner agencies and organizations, and “river rats” covers a range of topics from Traditional Ecological Knowledge to American literature. 

Earn a full semester of credit while taking part in this environmentally friendly option where classroom experience and field study coalesce. Environmental justice and social change in the Mississippi watershed act as guiding themes, and your own experiences and interests will be uniquely enhanced and explored through your curricular choices and research interests.  Program features include:

  • An extended outdoor experience, including camping under the stars and bonding with classmates around the campfireĀ in this non-traditional, immersive experience

  • Immersion in the cultures, cuisines and music of river cities such as St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans

  • A field research project helps to contextualize and guide your canoe journey alongside other scholar-adventurers

  • Local experts and lecturers will contribute along the journey, on topics from ancient civilizations, Native AmericanĀ  communities, urban justice and resilience, and climate change.

Program Details

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Health & Safety

Student health, safety and security in Italy are our top priorities. Our experienced and well-connected staff are prepared to deal with any emergencies that may arise...

Health & Safety

Housing

As the River Semester is a non-traditional study away experience, an atypical housing arrangement characterizes a large portion of this program.

Housing