Biomedical Research and Public Health in Western Europe
- Explore the differences between European and US health care systems by visiting leading European public health organizations, research institutes, and pharmaceutical companies.
- Spend three weeks exploring and experiencing remarkable cities in France, Germany, Switzerland, and England.
- Earn three Biology credit hours towards your degree.
- Program runs every other year in even numbered years. Next offered: Summer 2026
This program will take students to some of the leading infectious disease research institutes and pharmaceutical companies in Germany, France, Switzerland, and England. Participants will be exposed to many of the public health approaches and aspects of western European countries giving them the opportunity to compare and contrast those found within the United States. The itinerary will also include visits to historical sites related to infectious disease impacts on human development (e.g. plague, pox vaccine, etc.), industry visits highlighting food microbiology processes, as well as cultural tours and activities.
The program will visit the following cities in Summer 2026:
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Brussels, Belgium
- Würzburg, Germany
- Heidelberg, Germany
- Geneva, Switzerland
2026 TENTATIVE Itinerary
May 22- Depart U.S.
May 23 - Arrive in London, England (4 nights in London): The program begins with an orientation session and welcome dinner. The following days in London will include visits to the International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD), Royal Society of Public Health, a Biotech Company such as Lab Genius Therapeutics, SporeGen or Prokarium,and a guided walking tour of "London's Plagues". While in London, the program will also visit the British Museum and Tower of London and students will have a free afternoon to explore the city on their own.
May 27 - Travel to Paris, France (4 nights in Paris): The program in Paris will include visits to the Palace of Versailles including the Gardens of Versailles, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, the Pasteur Institute, Eligo Bioscience and a free afternoon.
May 31- Travel to Brussels, Belgium (4 nights in Brussels): While in Brussels, activities will include a guided tour of the Cantillon Brewery, visit to the European Commission for a presentation on a topic such as EU's pharmaceutical strategy or pandemic prevention, visit to Sciensano, the Science Institute of Public Health in Belgium, visit to the European Public Health Alliance and a free afternoon.
June 3- Travel to Würzburg, Germany (3 nights in Würzburg): While in Würzburg, the program will include a guided tour of the Cochem Castle, guided tour of Residence Würzburg, visit to the Innovation and Start-Up Incubator Würzburg, visit to the Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry and a free afternoon.
June 6 - Travel to Heidelberg, Germany (4 nights in Heidelberg): Participants will then travel on to Heidelberg, home to one of Germany’s most reputable universities. A self-guided tour of the German Pharmacy Museum and Heidelberg Castle will start things off. The group will visit BODY WORLDS, a unique exhibition that offers insights into the systems and structures of the human body. During their time in Heidelberg participants will also have the opportunity to visit several leading research institutions such as the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Gen-H, and the Centre for Molecular Biology. The group will also visit Heidelberg Technology Park, an innovation center for researchers, start-ups, and global players.
June 10 - Travel to Geneva, Switzerland (4 nights in Geneva): The final leg of the program will take place in Switzerland. In Geneva the group will visit the Global Health Institute where they research and develop new technologies to investigate infectious diseases and human health, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS Headquarters, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. The program will end with a farewell dinner.
June 14 - Program ends.
Note: All itinerary details and planned visits are subject to change.
Upon successful completion of the program three hours of upper level undergraduate credit are granted by the University of Kansas for the following course:
BIOL 490 – Internship and Practical Applications (3 credit hours)
*Honors course contract available for students in the Honors Program.*
BIOL 490 will count towards the elective requirement for all biology majors, and it also satisfies KU Core Goal 6.
Participants will stay in conveniently located hotels in Amsterdam, Paris, Heidelberg, Basel, Geneva and London. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, and continental breakfast is included daily.
All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
- Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
- First Generation Students
- Physical and Mental Health Histories
- Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
- Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Students of Color Abroad
- Students with Children
- Students with Financial Need
- Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
- Visible and Invisible Disabilities
Open to undergraduate and graduate students, sophomore level and above, from any accredited US college or university who have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
No prior biology experience or knowledge is required, but priority will be given to students pursuing one of the Molecular Biosciences majors. Priority will be given to current KU students, but students from other colleges and universities will be accepted if space is available.
Program Cost
Program Cost for Microbiology in Western Europe
Scholarships
- Students with financial need (a FAFSA on file for the current academic year) can apply for a scholarship through KU Study Abroad here.
- Students with a major/minor in the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS) are eligible for the CLAS Study Abroad Scholarship.
- Pell Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship, a nationally competitive scholarship for Pell Grant recipients. Contact KU Study Abroad for more information.
- Students in the KU Honors Program may apply for an Honors Opportunity Award.
- Visit the KU Study Abroad Costs & Funding page for additional information.
Dr. Scott Hefty, Professor and Undergraduate Studies Director for the Department of Molecular Biosciences will lead the program.
pshefty@ku.edu
785-864-5392
8051 Haworth Hall