Photo of class trip to Europe from Geiman Fellows
Behavioral & Social Sciences

Global Learning: Make the World Your Classroom

Explore, debate, and discover with BASS study abroad programs.

As part of Western’s Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department, you can take your learning beyond the classroom through immersive study abroad and travel experiences. Whether you’re competing in Model UN, exploring cultural psychology in Hawaii, or studying history in New Mexico, these hands-on opportunities build real-world skills for careers in law, education, government, and more.

Group photo of Model UN students and professor in New York.

Expand Your Education Beyond the Classroom

In Western’s Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department, immersive experiences bring your studies to life. You might represent a country at Model United Nations in New York or Europe, explore cultural psychology in Hawaii, or study the Hispanic Southwest in New Mexico. These hands-on opportunities connect classroom theory with real-world issues, helping you build research, communication, and cultural awareness skills that prepare you for careers in law, education, public service, and more.

Photo of class trip to Europe from Geiman Fellows

Engage in Global and Cultural Learning

Whether you’re competing in Model United Nations in New York and Europe, studying cultural psychology in Hawaii, or exploring the history of the Hispanic Southwest in northern New Mexico, you’ll gain firsthand insights into global and regional issues. These experiences allow you to see your studies in action while broadening your perspective on the world.

Students pose at Model UN.

Build Skills in Research, Debate, and Cultural Understanding

From research and debate to negotiation and cross-cultural analysis, these experiences help you build key skills that employers value. Model United Nations sharpens your ability to navigate political and diplomatic discussions, while psychology and history-focused travel opportunities give you a deeper understanding of human behavior and cultural heritage.

Students debating at Model UN.

Enhance Your Resume and Career Readiness

The skills and knowledge you gain from these immersive experiences will strengthen your resume and prepare you for careers in government, law, diplomacy, education, and beyond. Many past participants have gone on to serve in roles with the Foreign Service, Peace Corps, and other international and public service organizations.

Students debate at Model UN.

Build Connections and Expand Your Network

Through these study abroad and field experiences, you’ll engage with faculty mentors, peers, and professionals in your field. These connections can provide valuable career guidance, internship opportunities, and pathways to graduate studies or professional roles.

Real-World Learning Through Global Experiences

In the Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department at Western, immersive travel and study abroad opportunities let you apply your knowledge in real-world settings. Whether you’re debating at Model United Nations, studying cultural psychology in Hawaii, or exploring the Hispanic Southwest in New Mexico, you’ll gain valuable skills and global insight that set you apart.

Here are just a few hands-on experiences our students have taken part in:

  • Competing at Model United Nations in New York and Europe

  • Studying cultural psychology through fieldwork in Hawaii

  • Exploring history and identity in northern New Mexico

  • Participating in faculty-led travel courses tied to current social and political issues

See Western's students in the news.

  • Western Students Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges at Model United Nations

    Western Students Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges at Model United Nations

    War, corruption, hunger, climate change, the struggle for human rights. The next generation of leaders has their work cut out for them. Professor Maria Struble…
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  • Western Psychology Program Gives Students the Opportunity of a Lifetime

    Western Psychology Program Gives Students the Opportunity of a Lifetime

    Since the summer of 2018, Western Colorado University’s Behavioral and Social Sciences Department has offered psychology students the opportunity to study for seven weeks in…
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  • Changing the World by Changing Yourself

    Changing the World by Changing Yourself

    Students in Western Colorado University’s Chapter of National Model United Nations (NMUN) returned to the Gunnison Valley from the NMUN conference on April 6th with…
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  • Model UN Provides Global Experience for Western Students

    Model UN Provides Global Experience for Western Students

    You never know when a class at Western Colorado University and the involvement in a club can result in the launching of a career. Such…
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Students debating at Model UN.

See where Western can take you.

The best way to get to know Western—and the global learning opportunities we offer—is to experience them firsthand. Schedule a campus visit, meet with faculty from the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department, and learn how travel courses and study abroad can take your education beyond the classroom.

Plan a Visit