Global Engagement Koret Student Fellowship Program

This Program is being offered on an accelerated timeline. Please email globallearning@scu.edu with questions.

About the Program

This program is funded through a generous grant by the Koret Foundation as part of the Hazon Forum on Judaism and Our Common Future, a developing nexus for interdisciplinary research, learning, public discourse, and global exchange that enables students to explore and engage Judaism’s contributions to the great questions of our time.  

The summer study abroad program follows the Global Faculty Seminar taking place in December 2026.
 

Description

The Prague and Krakow: Global Jewish Identities and Perspectives program will familiarize participants with the history of Jewish communities and the Holocaust in Czechia and Poland, and explore interdisciplinary themes that explore American and global Jewish identities, histories, perspectives, and contemporary cultural contributions. 

Participants will engage in field visits where they will hear directly from historians, academics, and social and political actors. Together, participants will examine historic events and contextualize them in the contemporary world. Participants will be encouraged to draw on insights from their own experience to understand historic and contemporary issues. In keeping with SCU’s Jesuit identity, the seminar will incorporate individual and group reflections throughout the program.

Dates

Arrive Prague June 14, 2027 - Depart Krakow June 26, 2027 (14 days)

Cost

This special opportunity is an almost fully funded experience for all students and the cost of participation is provided through the generous support of the Koret Foundation, including airfare. Detailed information:

• Included:
  
  • Prague and Krakow: Global Jewish Identities and Perspectives program participation including site visits
  • Airfare to Prague from SFO and from Krakow to SFO on the dates of the program
  • Airport transfer in Prague and Krakow at scheduled times
  • Hotel accommodation including daily breakfast in hotel
  • Three group lunches; two group dinners
  • Public transportation pass in Prague for the dates of the seminar
• Not Included:
  • Transportation to/from home to local airport in California
  • Airport transfer in Prague and Krakow outside of scheduled times
  • Lunches and dinners outside of group meals
  • Passport, photos, visa fees (Visas are not required for US citizens for programs shorter than 90 days)
  • Incidentals

Participants who withdraw after confirmation are subject to $500 plus unrecoverable expenses.

Housing

Shared occupancy housing for students in hotels in each city.  Bedroom formats may include quads, triples, doubles, and single rooms. Occupancy will be determined closer to the program and includes en suite bathrooms.

Meals

• All breakfasts provided in hotel are included in the cost of this program.
• Some lunches during some excursions are included; details provided closer to the program.
• Welcome dinner and Farewell dinners included in the cost of the program.
  
  

Excursions and Activities

Excursions and site visits include:

• Prague Walking Tour
• Tour of Prague focused on Jewish heritage; Old Jewish Cemetery and 5 historical synagogues in Josefov, the former Jewish quarter
• New Jewish Cemetery and other Jewish sites in Vinohrady
• Walking seminar on Jewish and non-Jewish women active in the resistance movement in WWII
• Guided visit of Terezin concentration camp
• Theresienstadt Ghetto tour and Small Fortress
• Cultural performance, TBD
• Krakow Old Town Walking Tour
• Jewish Krakow Kazimierz district, former ghetto
• Krakow Under Nazi Occupation, 1939-1945 Exhibit, MOCAK or Galicia Jewish Museum
• Guided tour of Auschwitz I
• Auschwitz II - Birkenau
• Meeting with Jewish Community Center members
• Meeting with Holocaust survivors
• Welcome Dinner
• Farewell Dinner
• Some lunches during excursions
  
  

Academics and Credit

The program consists of lectures, site visits and field-based lectures, and reflection/discussion. Details forthcoming.

Goals

• Explore American and global Jewish identities, histories, perspectives, and contemporary cultural contributions.  
• Familiarize participants with the history of Jewish communities and the Holocaust in Czechia and Poland
• Explore interdisciplinary themes of American and global Jewish identities, histories, perspectives, and contemporary cultural contributions. 
• Provide a framework for intercultural engagement and reflection and global learning 
• Explore and engage Judaism’s contributions to the great questions of our time
  
  

Outcomes

On successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand American and global Jewish identities, histories, perspectives, and contemporary cultural contributions
• Identify significant sites relevant to these the seminar themes in Czechia and Poland
  
  

Eligibility  

Undergraduate students in their first year, sophomores, and juniors are eligible. Graduate students who will not have graduated at the time of participation are eligible. Students in all majors and degrees are strongly encouraged to apply. This is a summer program and graduating students are not eligible to participate.

Number of Participants

20