Auburn University
AC-5: Immersive Experience

The Role of Forests in Human Livelihood and Health in Africa: South Africa and Madagascar, FOWS 3800/3810: In this one-month program, students travel overseas visiting the countries of South Africa and Madagascar to learn about the importance of trees (native and non-native) for rural community livelihood and human health. Students will be exposed to indigenous forests, savanna woodlands and non-native trees grown in commercial forestry plantations. This course focuses on an approach to ensure the well-being of people, animals, and the environment through collaborative, multi-disciplinary problem solving. https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11285

Honors College Pre-Freshman Study & Travel in Costa Rica, INTL 1977: A ten-day pre-freshman Honors study abroad program in which students will visit some of the most spectacular and ecologically significant landscapes in the Western hemisphere while learning about local efforts to conserve biodiversity and promote economic development through a series of field trips, discussions, readings, and hands-on activities. https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11354

Sustainability in Action: Fiji, HUSC 5940: During this month-long program on the 200-acre Vorovoro Island, students stay in the home of a Mali villager, allowing them a first-hand look into authentic island life, cuisine, and culture. Students have the opportunity to visit sugar cane and permaculture farms, engage with local Fijians in a collaborative community project, and gain first-hand knowledge to compare and contrast the wealth of tourists versus the life of an average Fijian. This program stretches students’ perspectives on sustainability, globalization, economic development, climate change, natural resources management, eco-tourism, and consumerism.
https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10955

Regional Sustainable Technologies and Practices in Northern Spain, ENGR 3970: This four week program will introduce students to sustainable technologies and practices in northern Spain through classroom instruction and by visiting sites, including wind and solar farms, bio-mass conversion facilities and a desalination plant. Students will understand the economic, environment and societal impacts of these technologies.
https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11043

Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability: Costa Rica, BIOL 4970: During this 10-day study abroad program, students experience Costa Rican culture, explore diverse tropical ecosystems, learn about sustainable agricultural practices, and conduct research projects related to ecology and conservation.
https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11375

Conservation and Research in the Peruvian Rainforest, BIOL 4970: Over Spring Break, Undergraduate and Graduate students pair up to look at research questions while exploring Peru. Students visit Machu Picchu, participate in an Amazon River night watch, explore Peru's ecosystem with multiple hikes including one at night and a Canopy walk, visit a Bee Sanctuary and visit local conservation and sustainability groups. https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11361

Environmental Design Program in Copenhagen, Denmark, ENVD 4100 & ENVD 4970: This is a three-week long summer program specifically tailored for the students interested in issues of sustainability, urban livability, transportation systems, design, and environmental design.
https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10952

Tropical Veterinary Science and the Great Barrier Reef, VBMS 3050: This is a seventeen-day program. Using Australia as the backdrop, participants will gain an understanding of the interrelationships between flora and fauna, both marine and terrestrial, and how economics and climate change are impacting biodiverse populations The class will participate in surveys that focus on environmental health and outreach activities that will serve to improve it.
https://studyabroad.auburn.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11014

Rural Studio (College of Architecture, Design, and Construction): An off-campus design-build program located in Hale County, Alabama, that gives architecture students a hands-on educational experience while assisting under-resourced communities of West Alabama’s Black Belt. Driven by an ethos of recycling, reusing, and remaking, students work within the community to define solutions, fundraise, design and, ultimately, build remarkable projects that are socially and environmentally sustainable.
Ruralstudio.org

Alternative spring breaks: Immersive service and educational experiences that place students in community-based service projects and give students opportunities to learn about the problems faced by members of other communities. Students in this program have spent their spring breaks at free medical clinics in underserved areas, loggerhead turtle rehabilitation facilities, wilderness conservation sites, and more.
https://auburn.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/asb

Auburn Chapter of Engineers Without Borders: EWB is an international organization that partners with communities worldwide to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences that enrich global perspectives and create responsible leaders. Students work with a community in the Bolivian Andes on a variety of community-driven development projects, largely dealing with small-scale, sustainable hydraulic projects (an irrigation system, hydroponics system, solar shower, etc.). The Auburn chapter is in the process of expanding its work to a second community, this one in Rwanda.
https://sites.auburn.edu/stuorgs/ewb/public/default.aspx

Note: the website provided lists descriptions and links for each of the listed immersive programs.