Alumni College Abroad
May 2020: Alumni College Abroad Update Regarding COVID-19
On May 13, President Valerie Smith announced that College-sponsored travel, both domestic and international, is prohibited through December 31. In response to this announcement, and in conjunction with the unpredictability of travel bans and Swarthmore's commitment to helping to slow the spread of COVID-19, the College has formally withdrawn its endorsement of all Alumni College Abroad trips planned through Dec. 31, 2020. This includes: Trans-Siberian Railway from Mongolia to Moscow; Southwest National Parks; Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia; Southern Skies of Chile: Total Solar Eclipse; and Exploring the Sea of Cortez: A Living Sea & Desert Isles.
If you are booked on one of these programs, Engaging Journeys, Inc., the travel company the College contracts with to plan and coordinate the Alumni College Abroad program, will be in touch soon with additional information about your particular trip, including updates regarding refunds and opportunities to reschedule. You can reach Engaging Journeys at 904-432-3141. As each trip approaches, tour operators will contact confirmed travelers directly via email with any status updates. In the event your trip must be postponed or canceled, operators will provide you with options for next steps. The option you choose is a personal decision. It is important to remember that Swarthmore Alumni College Abroad Program is not responsible for trips postponed by our vendors; all traveler payments are processed by each vendor directly. While it is ultimately your decision whether or not to participate, we encourage you to reschedule to a future date.
Contact information by trip:
Trans-Siberian Railway from Mongolia to Moscow
Southwest National Parks
Orbridge: 1-866-639-0079
Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia
Thomas P. Gohagan: 312-909-2427
Exploring the Sea of Cortez: A Living Sea & Desert Isles
Lindlbad Expeditions: 888-773-9007
Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.
Be well,
Lisa Shafer
Senior Director, Alumni & Parent Engagement
Swarthmore College
lshafer1@swarthmore.edu
Trans-Siberian Railway from Mongolia to Moscow
July 12-25, 2020
Shared departure.
Join fellow Swarthmore alumni, family and friends for an unparalleled journey through history on the Trans-Siberian Railway—a legendary network of rails as you leisurely traverse two continents by private train during this epic adventure—through the Mongolian steppes, along the remote shores of Lake Baikal, and deep into Russia.
Southwest National Parks
September 23 - October 1, 2020
Shared departure. Co-sponsored with Case Western University.
Immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of the American Southwest, discovering the geological wonders of our national parks including visits to Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. Millions of years of uplift and erosion have left a spectacular, monumental imprint across America’s Southwest plateau.
Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia
October 3-11, 2020
Hosted by Mark Wallace, Professor of Religion
Shared departure.
Cruise the ancient trade routes of Phoenician, Roman and Moorish mariners on this comprehensive itinerary to the coastal jewels of the Iberian Peninsula. En route from Barcelona to Lisbon, admire four UNESCO World Heritage sites and experience Portugal’s lesser-traveled Algarve region.
Southern Skies of Chile: Total Solar Eclipse
December 9–16, 2020
Hosted by Jesse Rivera, Visiting Assistant Professor of Astronomy
Co-sponsored with Tufts University
On December 14, 2020, join Swarthmore as we witness a total solar eclipse in the south-central region of Chile. Chile is renowned for its astronomical observatories and this once-in-a-lifetime experience in a country of diverse people, topography, high deserts, salt lakes, a host of animal life and cosmopolitan cities will leave you wishing for more. LIMITED AVAILABILITY– ONLY 8 SPACES!
Exploring the Sea of Cortez: A Living Sea & Desert Isles
December 27, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Hosted by Scott Gilbert, Howard A. Schneiderman Professor of Biology, Emeritus
Shared departure.
Explore the Sea of Cortez: one of the best places in the world to see a great variety of whales, plus dolphins in abundance. With a flexible itinerary, rely on our expert staff to follow the seasonal movements of migrating birds and feeding whales insuring excellent wildlife sightings. Hike forests of giant cacti, snorkel with sea lions, and discover rare wildlife among desert islands.
AND MORE...
A trip designed specifically for 21 – 35-year-olds
April 10 - 17, 2021
Discover Egypt and the Nile Valley by Dahabiya
February 2 – 17, 2021
Hosted by Tariq al-Jamil, Associate Professor of Religion Coordinator of Islamic Studies Program
February 11 - 16, 2021
Circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand
February 22 - March 7, 2021
Icelandic Getaway: A Long Weekend in Reykjavik
March 5 – 9, 2021
May 22 – 28, 2021
Hosted by Vince Formica, Assistant Professor of Evolutionary biology
Scottish Isles & Norwegian Fjords
June 13 – 21, 2021
Hosted by Dominic Tierney, Associate Professor of Political Science and a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Under the Midnight Sun: Arctic Expedition
June 16 – 26, 2021
Alaska's Glacier and the Inside Passage
July 26 - August 3, 2021
August 11-17, 2021
Ancient Civilizations: Adriatic and Aegean Odyssey
September 17 - 25, 2021
Hosted by Sibelan Forrester, Professor of Modern and Classical Languages and Russian
Château de Camon: Exploring the Languedoc Region of France
October 8 - 16, 2021
Hosted by Patricia Reilly, Associate Professor of Art History
The Danube: Vienna to Bucharest
October 11 - 23, 2021
October 23 - Nov 6, 2021
Antiquities of the Red Sea and the Aegean Sea
October 28 – November 10, 2021
Past trip photos:
