January Term Traveling Seminars

Turn Your Winter Break into an Unforgettable Adventure!

Why spend January stuck at home when you could explore multiple countries or cities in just one trip, with a group of your peers! With ASA’s January Term (J-Term) programs, your winter break will be transformed into a whirlwind of discovery, culture, and unforgettable experiences.

Whether you're looking to make the most of your break or kick off your Spring semester in style, J-Term is your ticket to academic credit and global adventure.

Each program includes one dynamic course (3 credits) taught by a professor who travels with you, plus a maximum of 30 fellow college students. By traveling with a small group of no more than 30 student,  you'll enjoy a tight-knit, personalized experience as you explore the world together.

Treat it as a stand-alone winter escape or combine it with an ASA spring semester program for the ultimate international experience.

✅ Multiple destinations in one trip
✅ 3 academic credits in just 2–3 weeks
✅ Small group with expert professors and guides
✅ Cultural immersion and once-in-a-lifetime moments

Pack your bags, grab your passport, and get ready to make this January your most exciting one yet!

2026 Study Tour Destinations

Our experiential Study Tours include accommodation, intra-European travel, visits to major cultural and historical sites and guided travel, curated on-site activities tailored to your course topic, field study and guest lectures, credit for one course, and much more.

Click on one of our Study Tours to learn more!

• DIPLOMACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
  France, Spain, Morocco, Netherlands

• EUROPE AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD
  France, Spain, Morocco

• GREAT CITIES OF EUROPE
  France, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands

• THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN
  Greece, Italy

• THEATRE ALIVE - STUDIES IN THEATRE, DRAMA, AND PERFORMANCE 
  United Kingdom

• WINE, GASTRONOMY, AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
  France, Spain, Italy

• INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & EMERGING MARKETS
  France, Spain, Morocco

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

You may apply for January Term 2026 at any time, as we are on rolling admissions. Each trip is capped at 30 students, so we recommend securing your space early. Some trips fill up before the application deadline. Non-refundable $1,500 Down Payment required. 

NOTE: Itineraries are subject to change. Students should consult with an ASA representative before booking flights or finalizing travel plans.

• Requirements
  • Minimum GPA 2.50 (Students with a GPA between 2.20 and 2.49 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA of 2.19 or lower will not be considered.)
  • Language requirement: None
  • At least 17 years of age
  • Must have graduated from high school
  • Transcript from most recent institution attended (unofficial is ok). If you have attended more than one institution, please submit a transcript from each institution.
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 6 months after the day you plan to return home from abroad. If you don’t have a valid passport, confirmation of an expedited passport application is required before you can be accepted into this program. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.

INCLUDED

• Exclusive "A WORLD OF CARE" Student Support Suite
  
  

• LODGING & PARTIAL BOARD in hotels (usually 3- or 4-star) for January Term trips. Rooms are shared with other students in your group (typically double or triple occupancy).

• MEALS: Breakfast each day and some group lunches and/or dinners are included. Other meals are the student’s responsibility.

• ENTRANCE FEES to all scheduled cultural activities and academic visits.

• INTRA-PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION to and from each city.  Round trip airfare to/from your home country and the program start and end locations is NOT included.

• TUITION for 1 class (3 semester credits)

• ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.

• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Final transcript is issued by IAU. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.

• ON-SITE SUPPORT: Students will travel with faculty and/or staff member(s) on-site, who can assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.

• MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.

• VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining any visa required for their term/host country, but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about how to apply for a visa, if one is required for any of the countries visited during your program itinerary.

• PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION

• SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP

• SUBSCRIPTION TO MINDHAMOK: a 24-7 service designed to support your mental, physical, and social wellbeing throughout your program. You can find out more about mindhamok in our Pre-Departure Guide for All Programs

NOT INCLUDED

• Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program start/end locations

• Meals, except for those included with your program fees, as described above. The number of meals included varies depending on the trip.

• Airport pick-up (Students will receive detailed instructions via email shortly before the program starts on how to get from the airport to the first group meeting point.)

• Local transportation – e.g. taxis, subway, and bus fare, etc.

• Personal expenses

• Laundry

• Textbooks and course materials.  You will receive a list of required books before departure, which can be ordered from Amazon.

• Baggage fees, if your luggage is in excess of the airline’s Baggage Allowance (This refers to intra-European travel. One airline frequently used is RyanAir; other airlines may be used as well. Prepare to pack light to avoid baggage fees!)

• Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program

• Visa, if required (If a visa is required for any of the countries visited during your program itinerary, ASA will notify you in time for you to obtain it before your trip’s start date.)

If you need a budget or Costs of Attendance for your financial aid office, or if you simply want an estimate of the not-included costs listed above.

Some course readings and videos may need to be completed prior to your trip’s departure date. Before your trip start date, you will receive emails advising on you any readings or videos you need to complete before departure.

ASA reserves the right to cancel programs due to low enrollment. Students should consult with ASA before making travel plans or purchasing airfare.