Honors College Learning Away

The Honors College offers learning away trips to add an experiential dimension to the Honors curriculum and provide a peak experience in a student's success that will last a lifetime. Previous trips have included Milledgeville, GA; New Orleans, LA; Santa Fe, NM; and Houston's world-renowned Medical Center. All learning away programs and courses are open to all students, regardless of major, discipline, or membership in the Honors College.
Programs are offered in the fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions, and generally range in length from three to seven days. Interested in seeing the College travel somewhere not currently listed? Email us at ogesp@uh.edu with your ideas!
Academic Year 2021-22
UPDATE: The University of Houston has extended the current international travel restrictions for all study and business travel until further notice. This includes all faculty-led programs as well as affiliated, exchange, student service organization programs, sponsored scholarship, fellowship or research opportunities abroad, and any other programs that would be considered international travel for curricular or co-curricular purposes. Domestic travel restrictions were removed as of March 7, 2022.
Read the University of Houston COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions update here.Upcoming Programs
Looking ahead to spring 2022 or beyond? Check out these great program options! Destinations are subject to change according to health and safety regulations. Program details will be added as available.
Historic Philadelphia
Travel Dates: March 12–17, 2022Led by Dustin Gish and Carol Cooper
This program introduces students to historic Philadelphia, from the time of William Penn and colonial Pennsylvania, through Benjamin Franklin and the Revolutionary War period, to Independence Hall, the drafting of the federal Constitution and the first national capital. On walking tours and site visits, students will learn how Philadelphia represented a unique colonial experience leading into the revolutionary era, when the birth of the nation occurred. with the documents drafted in Independence Hall (first, the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the Constitution in 1787), in addition to serving as the national capital and home to the Washington and Adams Administrations.
Over the course of four days during spring break, we will visit major historical sites: Benjamin Franklin home, Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, American Revolutionary War Museum, National Constitution Center, President’s House, American Anti-Slavery Society, Underground Railroad Museum, and National Bank. We will also take excursions to contemporary art institutions that highlight the modern cultural vibrance of Philadelphia (Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, and the Philadelphia MOA). Educational and research opportunities will be pursued with special trips to the American Philosophical Society (the oldest academic society in America) and the Franklin Institute (science, technology, engineering, and applied mathematics).
This Learning Away program is hosted by Phronêsis, and the student cost for participation (which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, and entrance fees) will be greatly reduced due to a generous donation from an Honors alumnus.
Northern California
Dates TBD; Trip Length: 8 Days
Led by David Rainbow
Artists and Their Regions: The Road to New Orleans
Led by Robert Cremins and Max Rayneard
Trip deposits are non-refundable. Students are financially responsible for trip balances; program fees may not be refunded within 90 days of travel. Please check with your trip leader on payment schedules. Acceptance into a program is acknowledgment of all travel-related and program fees.