In May, the College of Humanities will add the Balkan nations of Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia to its growing list of destinations in the Study Abroad for Adult Learners program.
The format is unique among other tours, even those sponsored by universities, in its framing as a study abroad opportunity, traveling alongside Dorrance Dean Alain-Philippe Durand and professors who are experts in the regions.
"I love traveling the world with our College of Humanities’ friends and world-class faculty experts. Many of us have been fortunate to have transformative study abroad experiences when we were students and this program allows us to re-live those all over again,” Durand said.
Spaces are still available for the Adriatic Treasures trip, May 24 – June 2, 2026. Find more information and sign up at the link.
The faculty expert will be Benjamin Jens, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Russian and Slavic Studies, will provide insights on the region’s ancient cultures, centuries-old traditions and modern politics. Jens will also teach a Humanities Seminars Program course, “Bloodlines: The Balkan Origins of the Vampire,” to offer an advance look at the region.
Since 2018, the Study Abroad for Adult Learners program has journeyed to Argentina and Brazil, India, and two trips to France, one to Provence and the second to Bordeaux and the Dordogne.
The College works with a tour company that brings its own expertise, designing an itineraries that includes excellent hotels and dining experiences. For sights and activities the faculty experts and the tour company collaborate to tailor a custom trip. The schedules are balanced to allow the participants time for their own exploration as well.
“The faculty bring not only knowledge of the region we’re visiting, the history, culture, language and literature, but their own personal expertise,” said Michele Murphy, Director of Development for the College of Humanities. “The travelers we attract are lifelong learners. People come back because they’re traveling with a group of like-minded people. They're really curious and want to learn while they travel.”
For Nancy Davis, who’s participated in trips to France, India and South America, the repeat experiences have meant she’s developed friendships with some of the other travelers, which is one of the things that makes the program special.
“I’m in my 70s and I don’t worry about being in Europe by myself. But India and Latin America are two places that if you’re a woman my age, you don’t go yourself,” she said. “But traveling with a group with professors and guides who know the lay of the land, I don’t worry about safety for a minute.”
Before the trip to South America, Davis enrolled in the Humanities Seminars Program course designed to prepare travelers.
“That was very helpful to get an advance education, with some great pre-reading and a briefing of what we should keep our eyes open for,” she said. “It was also great to get to know the faculty members. It’s not a hierarchy that there frequently is in an academic setting. There’s an equality and it’s extremely comfortable to ask them questions. They give us several lectures, but they’re there the whole time so if you have a question about a historical or cultural thing, they know.”
For the trips themselves, Davis has enjoyed special experiences, like riding elephants in India and going to a tango club in Buenos Aires, activities that are made possible by the limited number of travelers and the faculty expertise and connections.
“The cultural things you do are above and beyond what most even well-traveled people can put together,” she said.