Faculty-led Program in Scotland (Prof. Fleming)

Domestic and interpersonal violence is a global issue that can have a significant impact on individuals, families, schools, workplaces, communities and societies. We are all impacted by it–either directly or indirectly in some manner or time. How to prevent such violence and work with the survivors and those that cause harm requires a multi-level approach from working with individuals, creating programs and trauma informed practices and policies.

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the nature of violence in intimate and domestic relationships from a Scottish and American perspective. Scotland is known for creating innovative approaches to ending violence. As such the course will offer an immersive exploration of the land, culture, prevention and intervention models and frameworks that are utilized in the field of policy and practice both in Scotland and the United States. Students will experience Scotland and meet and learn from those who are shaping policy, practice and programs from the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Highlands of Scotland. Experience the culture and beauty of Scotland while gaining valuable knowledge and insights!

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: December 15, 2024
Program Dates: May 19, 2025 to May 31, 2025 (Dates tentative)

To get started for Summer Break-Scotland 2025, schedule a meeting with an advisor using the link below.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Course Leader

Michael Fleming, Associate Professor

Department: Family, Aging, and Counseling
Phone: 319-273-6301
E-mail:michael.fleming@uni.edu
Campus Address: LAT 221

Michael has taught and worked in understanding violence in interpersonal relationships for much of his professional life. He serves as the Co-Director of the Patricia A Tomson Center for Violence Prevention at UNI. This work has involved working with colleagues from Scotland and elsewhere. He is looking forward to bringing students to Scotland to experience and learn from the culture of Scotland and to hear and learn from the passion of those working in this area.

Academics

FamServ 3145/5145: Violence in Intimate Relationships (3 credit hours)

This course can be used for many majors and is an option in the Mental Health Minor.
If you are a fan of the series Outlander–this is the course for you!

The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course. Please contact the program’s course leader for more information on academic requirements.

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Monday, May 19 - Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Dates do not include travel to/from destination)

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Students arrive; travel to housing on their own via public transportation; group dinner in evening.

Day 2: Our journey in Scotland begins in Edinburgh. Students will meet with the Dr. Whiting a national leader in the Violence Against Women movement in Scotland. She will provide a summary of Scotland’s strategy to addressing violence. This will provide background and overview for our time in Scotland and understanding the culture, challenges, and strategies used to provide services. With it is crafted at the state capital in Des Moines, Washington DC or Edinburgh policy influences approaches and services. We will visit Scotland’s Parliament building where Scotland’s policy is crafted and visit with a Domestic Violence agency and learn from those working in the field of the issues and challenges they encounter.

The day will conclude with taking a walking tour of the Royal Mile of Edinburgh–the heart of Scotland’s historic capital.

Day 3: The day’s itinerary will involve meeting with Dr. Scott who leads the Scottish Women’s Aid which is the lead organization in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic violence. Learning how Scotland approaches these issues can provide insight into Iowa’s approach. The day will also involve visiting the University of Edinburgh to learn of campus culture in Scotland and how they address sexual violence on campus and prepare trauma informed practitioners. We will spend time learning more about the culture of Scotland by taking walking tours of areas of the city.

Day 4: Travel to Glasgow and visit with Anna Mitchell and colleagues who direct the Safe & Together (S&T) program. This is a model for working with domestic violence that is used globally and in Iowa. The day will involve visiting the University of Strathclyde and talking with representatives from the University’s Safe360 approach to address gender violence on campus. The day will also include learning about how Scotland implements the Mentors in Violence Prevention program in secondary schools. This model is used throughout Iowa.

Day 5:Students will meet with representatives from Rape Crisis Scotland which is the lead organization working to end rape and sexual violence in Scotland. The day will involve taking walking tours of Glasgow to experience the city.

Day 6: This day is a free day for students to take a day trip to areas of Scotland. Students will be encouraged to engage in activities that may enlighten them on Scotland and Scottish culture.

Day 7: We will travel to St. Andrews–a medieval coastal town known for ruined castles, the origin of golf, fishing villages and the Kingdom of Fife. The day will be spent exploring the city to gain insights into Scotland and its culture.

Day 8: We will begin our adventure into the Highlands of Scotland through a guided tour program. Days 8-10 will involve an immersive experience into the rural nature of the Highlands. Day 8 will include traveling across the Highland Divide and learning about and experiencing the beauty of the highlands, “heroic and ferocious clans”, the Culloden battlefield, and possibly sighting the Loch Ness monster!

Day 9: We will venture to the Isle of Skye where we will “learn all about the mischievous faeries, hear tales of Celtic myths and see some of the most amazing scenery” of Scotland. The day will finish with a trip to the North and visiting Duntulm before heading to the village of Kyleakin for the night.

Day 10: Head south exploring the highest mountain range of Scotland and the beauty of Glen Coe. Here we will “hear tales of clan massacres, the likes of which inspired George Martin’s “Game of Thrones” series.

Day 11: We return to Edinburgh. This day will be a free day for students to explore the city or surrounding areas. We will wrap up the day with a time for reflection and processing all that we have learned and experienced.

Day 12: Departure; group travels to airport on their own via public transportation

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Scotland, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Scotland

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center while abroad. The cost of these hostels are included in the “Program Cost” line item of the program cost estimate. A few meals are built into the “Program Cost” (example: all breakfasts at hotels and 1 additional group meal in Scotland). Students will pay for the remaining meals out-of-pocket while traveling and are encouraged to try the local foods.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $6,998*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$6,998
Estimated U-bill Charges	$4,982
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,016

Scotland Summer 2025 Cost Estimate (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,824
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$11,325

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.