SoAn students are encouraged to study abroad with any approved program, and majors often incorporate research and reflections from their international experience into their senior thesis or other coursework on their return to campus. The programs below have proven popular with SoAn majors, and feature coursework that can count toward our major and minor requirements. But our students study in a great variety of countries and programs, so consult your advisor and the International Programs staff to find the program for you!
Popular Programs with SoAn Students:
- SIT Vietnam
- SIT Morocco
- SIT South Africa
- DIS Copenhagen
- IES London (University College London)
- IES Christchurch, New Zealand (University of Canterbury)
- IES Vienna
- AIFS Prague
- IFSA-Butler Otago, New Zealand (University of Otago)
- Puget Sound Pacific Rim Study Abroad Program (coursework varies)
FAQ
When is the best time to study abroad?
We recommend studying abroad in your junior year, especially in the spring semester, which allows students to fold their experiences and any research they’ve done abroad into their senior thesis work. But students sometimes study abroad their senior year or even their sophomore year, if they can’t go junior year. Summer programs including some faculty-led programs are also available. We support our students and are as flexible as possible to ensure everyone who wants to study abroad can go!
What if I don't know where I want to go?
There are a lot of great programs available, so it depends on your interests, but we have found SIT programs to work well with the SoAn major, since they include a significant, independent research project which can inform students’ senior year work. SIT offers programs around the world, from Morocco to the Netherlands to Argentina. Direct-enrollment programs like IES London and Christchurch are also recommended for greater local immersion. If you have language proficiencies, studying abroad in an appropriate destination can significantly improve those while allowing for a more immersive experience. Finally, we recommend Puget Sound’s own faculty-led PacRim program, which often includes one or more SoAn courses.
How much and what type of credit can I earn toward my Major/Minor? Most courses related to anthropology or sociology will count as electives in the SoAn major or minor. Many courses (especially on the programs listed above) have already been vetted by the SoAn Department, and the Office of International Programs will be able to show you courses on those programs that count as SoAn electives (lower and upper-division). A few programs (e.g. SIT Vietnam, IFSA-Butler Wellington) have also offered courses that have been approved as specific SoAn major requirements (i.e. SoAn 299, SoAn 296, respectively). International Programs can share the latest with you. There is no limit to the number of courses taught abroad that can be applied toward SoAn major/minor requirements.
Contact the Sociology & Anthropology Department or view our degree requirements page additional information on the major and minor requirements.
