In order to protect their home, community members of Palo Seco, Costa Rica, must continue to reforest mangrove trees to keep their coastline stable.This tour offers students a firsthand learning experience into stabilizing ecosystems through the efforts of community farming. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students to find solutions to local issues in the environment.They’ll also discover the biodiversity of this beautiful country from every angle with visits to hot springs, hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall, as well as collecting and planting seeds. Students will also enjoy participating and interacting with locals as they learn folklore and participate in cultural exchanges.

If you are interested in going then please do the following:

1. Look through the itinerary of the trip Itinerary: Conservation in Costa Rica

2. Please fill out the following short Application: Conservation in Costa Rica

3. Join the Zoom Meeting on May 15th at 6pm https://ncssm.zoom.us/j/94487515867 

Sponsor: Ron Patten

Co-sponsor's: Jason Joseph and Hannah Schwartz

Total cost = $4,200 per student 

Souvenirs, airport meals and snacks = suggest $300 per student

Cost of the trip will be about $180 more if signing up after June 2024.

Academic Prerequisites: None 

Other Prerequisites: None

Cost per Student: $4,700

Maximum Enrollment: 18

Time: Two-week course (January 21 - 30, 2025)

Would you like to travel to Turkey and explore its iconic landmarks, archaeological sites, and bustling markets? 

Join Meltem Safak, David Dry, and Jane Cantwell on “A Tale of Two Continents: A Journey into the Heart of Turkey” as we discover the beauty, charm, and culinary treasures of Turkey, a land where history and tradition intertwine to create an enchanting tapestry of experiences.

Ready to find out more about our travel J-Term “A Tale of Two Continents: A Journey into the Heart of Turkey”? Check out THE FACT SHEET to get the details. 

Mark your calendars for May 13 for our in-person interest meeting in Morganton in AC 2206, 5:00-5:00 PM, or 7:30-8:30 PM on ZOOM for our virtual meeting. We will also record the Zoom session in case you are unable to attend either meeting. Please feel free to reach out to either Dr. Meltem Safak (meltem.safak@ncssm.edu), Dr. David Dry (david.dry@ncssm.edu), or Ms. Jane Cantwell (jane.cantwell@ncssm.edu) if you have any questions.

You can express your interest in this J-Term trip by completing the application here.

Academic Prerequisites: None 

Cost per Student: $5,000+/-  (including Explorica agency fees and SCSSI fees)

Maximum Enrollment: 12

Time: Four-week course (January 8 - 30, 2025)

Join us for this journey of discovery into the myth, history, art, architecture, and cultures of Greece. The first two weeks will be on the Durham campus and will include discussions of ancient and modern texts and explorations of Greek art and architecture. You will also have the chance to explore a topic of special interest in a research project and presentation. In the second two-weeks, we will travel to Greece to visit the places we have studied, including sites around Athens and the islands of Naxos and Santorini. We will explore the Acropolis, the ancient city of Thera, the Bronze Age city of Akrotiri, the castle of Chora, and temples of Apollo, Dionysus, and Demeter. Through visits to archaeological sites and museums, we will bring the ancient past to life. Our time in Greece will involve significant walking and trail hiking. 

 Online Zoom Session: May 16, 6:00 - 6:30 pm 

Greek Odyssey J-term Fact Sheet

Greek Odyssey J-term  Application

Greek Odyssey J-term  Slideshow

We are excited to once again offer the popular L.A. Noir travel course for January-Term 2025!

The architecture, geography, and people of Los Angeles influenced the way Hollywood filmmakers portrayed 20th century life. In turn, the films they made - especially in the style called film noir - not only depicted the city in its best light and deepest shadows but also forged an enduring image of L.A.

We will spend our first four days together on the Durham campus, learning about film noir and the role that Los Angeles plays in setting the mood, while watching classic film noir and neo-noir.  Then we will head to sunny Los Angeles, where we will see the neighborhoods that provide the background of our films, learn about the film industry,and see films in classic Hollywood film houses. We will visit amazing sights like the Santa Monica Pier, Paramount Studios, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Hollywood, and more.

NCSSM-Morganton and NCSSM-Durham Students and Families!

PLEASE JOIN US for one of our upcoming L.A. Noir 2025 Interest Meetings: 

IN-PERSON

Tuesday, May 14

3:15 - 4:15 PM

Durham Campus, ETC Dry Lab

Or

VIRTUALLY

Tuesday, May 14

7:00 - 7:30 PM

ZOOM LINK: 

https://ncssm.zoom.us/j/93910369182?pwd=MEd1bm15QWtmcWF0d3I4STJ6MWFqUT09 

Please take a look at the L.A. Noir Google Site for a preview of details, including travel costs and itinerary.

If you can't make either meeting, don't worry: we'll record the Zoom session and share the link to the recording.

We hope you’ll want to join us in the L.A. sunshine!

Your sponsors Michael Bruno (bruno@ncssm.edu) and Meredith Murphy (murphym@ncssm.edu)

Embark on an epic Icelandic odyssey under the guidance of a seasoned Viking tour guide, where adventure, exploration, wonder, and creativity converge to create an unforgettable journey. Engage in immersive writing workshops in this breathtaking landscape, drawing inspiration from the storied past and mystical surroundings to craft your own tales of adventure and heroism. With a home base in Reykjavik, students will venture out daily to explore the surrounding country while learning about how writers engage with observational skill, description, and memory. Daily workshops run by NCSSM’s Creative Writing instructors combined with a wild new landscape make for a singular approach to immersive travel. Learn to travel like a writer with your senses open, capture landscapes in words, and explore the complex history of travel writing. We will read and emulate great travel writers as well as Icelandic literary icons. By the end of the trip, you will have a polished piece to share with the NCSSM community to remember your journey.

Highlights include: visits to Þingvellir National Park, the awe-inspiring spectacles of Gullfoss, Skogafoss, and Seljalandsfoss, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the Katla Ice cave, and – with any luck – we will gaze at the stars and watch the magical northern lights dance across the sky. Are you ready to unite with fellow adventurers in unlocking the secrets of Iceland's winter realm? Join us on an epic adventure that few travelers will ever experience. Each activity, sightseeing excursion, and creative writing workshop weaves a thread in the rich tapestry of your own epic saga. 

Info Sessions: 

Wednesday, May 15 6:00 p.m. via Zoom (link: https://ncssm.zoom.us/j/94935474328)

Thursday, May 16 4:00 p.m. in Beall 7

Writing in Iceland Info Sheet

Application Link

Hello Unicorns and Dragons, 

I've been to Iceland, the Amazon, Costa Rica, Australia, Southeast Asia, and many more places.  They are all awesome, but the place I keep going back to is Africa.  

It's life changing.  

What about you?  Are you ready for a life changing experience in a breathtaking environment?  Are you looking for something other than just being part of a tour group?  If so, the Rwanda: Service and Safari is the J-term opportunity for you.  

We will have an interest meeting in ETC-140 from 3:15 - 4:00 on Thursday, May 16.  If you are interested and from Morganton, you can join us on Zoom, just follow the link.  

Here is the application form to fill out.  This does not obligate you to go, but serious applicants will receive first pick.  

Thank you,

Dr. Wheeler

Academic Prerequisites: None

Other Prerequisites: Student Application

Cost per Student: 

• Early Bird Pricing (before July 1) = $4095.00 not including travel insurance, spending money, and round trip transportation to and from Charlotte airport

• After (July 1) = $4245.00 not including travel insurance, spending money, and round trip transportation to and from Charlotte airport 

Maximum Enrollment: 12

Time: Two-week course (January 21 - 30, 2025)

Are you ready for an adventure? Then this trip is for you. Picture yourself snorkeling in the sky-blue waters of the Gulf of California, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famously called the “Aquarium of the World”. Home to over 890 species of fish, a third of the world’s cetacean species, and several protected and endemic species. In this life changing experience we will be immersing ourselves in the culture and incredible beauty of the Baja Peninsula’s marine and desert ecosystems. Activities may include swimming with sea lions, collecting data on the invasive crown of thorns sea star, participating in coral reef fish and invertebrate biodiversity research, hiking in the Sonoran Desert in search of species found nowhere else in the world, collaborating with a local high school’s eco club, seeing stars and the night sky like you have never seen them before, and collecting data for a research project of your choice. 

This experience will truly be an adventure as the majority of our days and nights while in Baja will be spent on Espiritu Santo Island, a beautiful national park. We will be camping on a pristine beach on the uninhabited island surrounded by turquoise waters and red rock mountains. Very few permits are given to camp on the island so this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that definitely will not disappoint. 

To learn more about the trip and to view a potential itinerary, check out this link (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EfGX4jwmkapmrUOTNzwR-6V4KcZnX2I-/view?usp=sharing). 

Two Information Meetings for Interested Morganton and Durham Families

*If you can’t make either meeting we will record the virtual meeting and we can provide the link

Virtual

May 15th, 7-8 pm 

Zoom Link = 

https://ncssm.zoom.us/j/99061612229?pwd=T09naVVwd3NCZVh1dkc5VS9LUk1HUT09

In-Person

May 16th, 4-5pm

Morganton Campus - AC2114

Ready to Apply? Complete the following form by May 23rd @11:59pm (applicants will be notified for their selection by May 25th)

Hello UniDragons!

Melani Harden, Axel Battista, and myself (Dr. Aranda) would like to welcome you to our J-Term! 

Japan: The Golden Route awaits you in January 2025! Do you desire to see shrines, temples, museums, and yearn to learn more about Japanese Culture? Wait no further as we plan to see it all!

We have two opportunities to learn more information about our J-Term and get to know the sponsors. Both interest meetings will be held virtually to accommodate both campuses.

Interest Meeting 1: 

Wednesday, May 15th from 7:00pm-8:00pm

Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/gux-awec-dee

Interest Meeting 2:  

Monday, May 20th from 7:00pm-8:00pm

Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/spz-zvea-bdo

For those who cannot contain their excitement, you may go ahead and apply. Applications will be approved via sponsor discretion. Please note that spots are first come, first serve.

We hope to see you soon! 

Are you ready to journey through the cultural epicenters of Europe? Join us for "Cityscapes & Minds: Journeying Through London, Paris, and Rome" — an exploration that merges photography, history, and psychology through some of the world's most iconic cities.

Here’s a sneak peek at what we have lined up for you:

London:

• Soar above the city with admission to the London Eye and a scenic Thames Cruise.

• Explore historic landmarks like Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace (including the iconic Changing of the Guard), and St. Paul's Cathedral.

• Delve into the rich history and art at the British Museum and the Globe Theatre.

• Enjoy leisure time exploring Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and cross the Tower Bridge.

• Experience the magic of a West End Show and tour the Tower of London.

Paris:

• Cruise along the Seine and ascend the Eiffel Tower for stunning city views.

• Marvel at world-renowned art in the Louvre and visit the majestic Palace of Versailles.

• Wander the Champs Elysees, visit the Arc de Triomphe, and explore the historic Catacombs (pending confirmation).

• Reflecting on the sacred grounds of Sacre Coeur in Montmartre and the Musee de l'Armee at Invalides.

Rome:

• Step back in time with guided tours of Ancient Rome, including the Coliseum, Roman Forum, and the Pantheon.

• Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain and ascend the Spanish Steps.

• Discover the Vatican City with a guided tour, including the Vatican Museums and the awe-inspiring Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains.

For more details visit our website and attend our interest meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. 

To secure your spot on this epic adventure, please fill out our interest form available on our website. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible journey!

Morocco offers travelers surprises around every corner. You can watch the sunset from a rooftop café in Marrakesh's landmark square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, as you sip Morocco's famed mint tea, step back in time while visiting its imperial cities, and learn about its rich culture from friendly local residents. You'll quickly see why some of your most captivating photos will come from Morocco. Amid stunning landscapes, beautiful architecture, and the call of the muezzin at prayer times, you’ll be immersed in the Moroccan lifestyle, allowing you to experience aspects of life you won’t see elsewhere. If you love exploring new cultures, cuisine, and languages, and you're willing to embark on a journey that introduces you to a new of way of experiencing the world, then join us for a life-changing trip to Morocco.  Email smith@ncssm.edu with questions and/or interest

Academic Prerequisites: None 

Other Prerequisites: Instructor approval. We ask that any student considering this tour be open to engaging respectfully and enthusiastically in group travel, as well as be willing to conduct themselves appropriately, especially in light of the cultural and behavioral norms of our host country.

Cost per Student: $4,000 +/-

Maximum Enrollment: 20

Time: Four-week course (January 8 - 30, 2025)

View the itinerary for our Amazon Rainforest Expedition:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kqlqsT01RkTQ0NP9SpvyT2qXn5UVkEiK-uB03I-yRUQ/edit

Apply now at:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Yc6iiem8sVslbk_2BCwDQMfev6YJfH4FGZv4ra1Y4mE/edit 

Academic Prerequisites: None 

Other Prerequisites: Sponsor Approval Required

Cost per Student: $5,800 (if registering after June 1, this cost increases to $6,000)

Maximum Enrollment: 20

Time: Two-week course (January 21 - 30, 2025)