Maymesters and Julymesters: Unique Study Abroad Opportunities at USC
As a part of its global perspective, USC encourages students to study abroad. There are programs going to over 150 cities in over 50 countries. There are short-term programs, which might take place over a one-week period. For example, USC Marshall’s Global Leadership Program is capped with a visit to one or several countries. Of course, there are many “traditional” semester-long programs, as well as summer programs. You’ll find a full list of programs for the year—and it’s an ever-evolving list—on the USC Global website.
Two relatively-unique offerings at the university are Maymesters and Julymesters. These programs—which can last up to four weeks—allow students to study abroad during the summer without having to pay summer tuition. How is that the case? Well, essentially, it’s thanks to the financial aid timeline. So, students attending a Maymester in May/June use spring tuition and students attending Julymesters in July/August use fall tuition (there are additional fees for housing, transportation, etc.). While there may be orientations or a few meet ups, students attending these programs don’t start their classes until after classes end in May (Maymesters) or before classes start in August (Julymesters).
These Maymester and Julymester courses take many forms. For example, they might be four units and fulfill a General Education requirement. They might also be a two-unit elective course. They might only be open to students in particular schools (majors and/or minors) or open to any undergraduate student. Sometimes, they’re very academic in focus. Other times, they have a more professional bend, but they are often experiential.
Maymesters are a fabulous opportunity for students with curriculum-heavy majors and minors to still have a substantial study abroad experience.
Here are just a few examples of Maymester or Julymester programs that will take place this year:
USC Thornton School of Music and USC Kaufman School of Dance Maymester: Music and Dance in Paris Salon Culture
“Throughout history, artists and intellectuals have gathered in Paris to exchange ideas and challenge aesthetic tastes. Using this model, we invite artist-scholars of diverse backgrounds to join us in exploring Paris’ past and present. During this three-week Maymester, students will be in dialogue with the evolution of art, music and dance through interactive encounters with Parisian spaces. This experiential history class will examine some of the many cultural legacies of the City of Light, allowing students to not only broaden their cultural literacy but also reflect on their own positions as global ambassadors of music, dance and culture. Activities will include: walking tours; visits to sites of historical, architectural and artistic importance; museums; attending music and dance performances; and a final creative project. Students will create, rehearse, and perform original collaborative works inspired by their experiences in Paris.”
USC Mann School of Pharmacy Maymester: Poison, Plagues, and Strange Pharmacy
“The Pharmacy Undergraduate Program is proud to present a distinctive Maymester course for May 2025: Poisons, Plagues, and Strange Medicines. This intensive, immersive educational experience is designed for a select group of up to 18 undergraduate students who will delve deep into the dark and fascinating history of medicine during one of the most harrowing periods in European history—the Great Plague, also known as the Black Death, of the 14th Century. Focusing on the regions of Austria and Slovakia, this course will take students on a journey through time, exploring the medicines, treatments, and cultural responses to the plague. Students will investigate the myths and folklore that emerged from this era and confront the stark realities faced by those who lived and died amidst the pandemic. Through visits to historic sites and guided discussions, students will gain a profound understanding of how societies grappled with this catastrophic event and how it shaped the evolution of medicine. This Maymester offers a rare opportunity to connect the past with the present, providing insights that are not only historically significant but also relevant to the understanding of modern medicine. We invite students to join us in uncovering the strange and often macabre medical practices of the past, as we explore the legacy of one of history’s deadliest pandemics.”
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Maymester: French in the Caribbean
“This FREN 220 course will be a four-week French language and culture program, including one week on the USC campus and three weeks in Martinique. At USC, students will start reviewing basic language functions while beginning their exploration of Martinican culture through a general introduction to the geography and history of the island as well as an analysis of political and identity issues (colonialism, “loi de départementalisation”). The class will then meet in Martinique, where we will continue discussing the Université des Antilles et de la Guyane campus in Schoelcher. Excursions, cultural activities, and group lunches/dinners will complement class meetings. Students will stay with host families, and travel will, for the most part, be done by a private coach.”
USC Davis School of School of Gerontology Maymester: Nutrition, Longevity and Disease
“Learn directly from internationally renowned expert Dr. Valter Longo in Genoa, Italy about the important role of nutrition and genes and the impact each has on longevity and diseases. Students observe how typical Genoans live and will experience the Mediterranean lifestyle through hands-on activities and field trips.”
USC Marshall School of Business ExCEL Maymester: Advantages and Challenges of Doing Business in an Emerging Marketing
“ExCEL features meetings with executives of some of the top companies and businesses in major cities around the world as well as local and national government officials. The goal of the program is for students to meet with business leaders, not just from U.S. companies doing business outside of the U.S., but also joint ventures, and wholly nationally owned businesses. In doing so, the program hopes to (1) Enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of international business.
The program is focused on giving students a better understanding of the complexities of doing business under other economic systems, the scope of business opportunities, and the way U.S. companies operate outside the U.S. (2) Develop their appreciation of cultural differences.
There is no better way to learn, feel, understand, and see cultural differences than to be immersed in the foreign country for a period of time. (3) Expose them to foreign business practices.
A good amount of time is dedicated to taking students on company tours, multinational and local corporations, led by a general manager or executive. This year’s program will go to Manila, Philippines.”
Written by: Anne Aubert-Santelli, Associate Director, USC Office of Admission