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UCA in Montreal: Stepping Stones Abroad

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Important Program Information

Academic Course Term: Summer 2027

Tentative Travel Dates:  May 11-18, 2027

Application Deadline: January 15, 2027

Scholarship Application Deadline: November 1, 2026

Interest Meetings:  to receive a meeting invite. View upcoming meetings on the Education Abroad calendar.

Program Description

Discover the intersection of art, community, and personal wellbeing in one of North America’s most vibrant, culturally rich cities! This immersive, one-week interdisciplinary program invites UCA students to explore innovative, arts-based solutions to modern health and social challenges. By examining how creative expression can transform mental healthcare and drive local community development, you’ll gain actionable skills while building a foundation for sustainable personal wellness.

Destination Highlights:
  • Vibrant Arts & Culture Scene: Experience Montreal’s world-renowned museum districts, historic architecture, and dynamic creative spaces.
  • Global Innovation Hub: Explore a multicultural metropolis that leads the way in integrating public arts and community-driven social initiatives.
  • Immersive Urban Environment: Walk through distinct neighborhoods where community engagement, health, and artistic expression naturally intersect.
Program Highlights & Activities:
  • Interactive Community Workshops: Participate in hands-on, community-building arts workshops that demonstrate creative tools for emotional expression and resilience.
  • Nonprofit Collaboration: Engage directly with forward-thinking, arts-based non-profit organizations working to improve mental health outcomes and reduce youth unemployment.
  • Foundational Coursework & Readings: Dig into foundational readings to examine the theoretical frameworks linking creative practices to public health and social development.
  • Cultural Site Visits: Tour key historic and artistic destinations across the city to see creative social initiatives in action.
  • Personal Wellness Action Plan: Synthesize your experiences to design a personalized wellness plan tailored to support your own long-term health and academic success.

Program Cost & Scholarships

Program Costs

, for more information about the total cost to attend the program, including Student Program Fee and tuition, payment deadlines, and details regarding financial aid and scholarships.

Scholarships

Students attending this program may be eligible to apply for the following institutional study abroad scholarships:  

  • Office of Education Abroad Study Abroad Scholarship
  • EDGE Funding
  • Travel Abroad Grant (TAG)

Visit our Scholarships webpage for more information about these scholarship and the eligibility requirements to apply.

Course Offerings

  • HBST 1377 Study Abroad Seminar
  • HLTH 2320 Mental Health
  • HONC 3310 Honors Seminar
  • WLAN 2315 Cultural Studies

Faculty Leaders

Close-up photo of Dr. Leah Horton smiling inside a vehicle. She has short, wavy brown hair with light highlights, wears patterned cat-eye glasses, and is dressed in a green top with a white floral pattern.

Dr. Leah Horton 

Associate Dean of Schedler Honors College and Assistant Professor

Dr. Leah Horton is a longtime UCA faculty member who has led study abroad programs since 2012, including five service-learning trips to Rwanda. As an avid fiber artist, she values the positive impact of creative pursuits on mental health.

Photo of Dr. Crystal Harris smiling while standing in front of an informational sign and dynamic LED screen reading "WELCOME TO THE EIFFEL TOWER." She has dark hair styled back, wears a light-colored top under a grey pinafore dress, and carries a metallic shoulder bag.

Dr. Crystal Harris

Assistant Professor of English & Co-Director of Africana Studies

Dr. Harris participated in an extended study abroad program in Paris, France, where she studied and taught diverse literature. The experience expanded her French language skills and deepened her understanding of culture, intercultural communication, and personal growth. She strongly encourages students to pursue study abroad opportunities.

View Faculty Profile  →