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Journeys of Inquiry

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The Journeys of Inquiry program provides an opportunity for Stanford undergraduate and graduate students to gain firsthand insights into global development issues, in low- and middle-income countries.

These short, experiential-learning trips are led by King Center Faculty Affiliates, typically during the summer quarter. Past trip locations have included China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mexico, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Migration, post conflict and a changing environment: Impacts on low-income households in Colombia

The summer 2024 Journeys of Inquiry will focus on the impacts of post-conflict recovery, migration, environmental change, and infrastructure improvements on low-income households in Colombia and will take place June 17–26, 2024. Associate Professor of Economics Melanie Morten and Visiting Associate Professor from the Universidad del Rosario Santiago Saavedra will lead a group of approximately 12 undergraduate students to Colombia to see, first-hand, how rural and urban low-income households are affected by pollution and environmental change, transportation access, and migration. The trip will also explore how Colombians have been creating economic opportunities in the years since its long-running armed conflict ended.

Learning opportunities, cultural immersion, and field trips may include: touring a public school in Bogota;  learning about ongoing research projects; navigating the local public transportation system; meeting with local leaders in Bogota; visiting a cooperative rural eco-tourism project; experiencing a former coca plantation’s transformation into a new economic project; meeting with officials handling the country’s migration challenges; and enjoying cultural events with indigenous tribes.  

The Journeys of Inquiry trip application will open to Stanford undergraduates on March 8 on SOLO.

There is a strong preference for those who will be taking or have taken Economics 118: Development Economics. The course will be taught by Professor Saavedra in Spring 2024. 

Faculty Supervisors: Melanie Morten and Santiago Saavedra
Dates: Monday, June 17, 2024 to Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Locations: Bogota and Nuqui, Colombia 
Application Deadline: April 7 at 11:59 PM

Program Costs

The Stanford King Center on Global Development will cover:

  • Round-trip, economy class airfare (based on fares to and from San Francisco)
  • In-country accommodation and transportation
  • A nominal stipend, sufficient to cover food when restaurants are not arranged

Students are financially responsible for:

  • Pre-departure immunizations
  • Travel medicine consultation
  • Health insurance
  • Visa costs
  • All other incidental expenses

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Strong preference for those who are taking or have taken Economics 118: Development Economics
  • Spoken language skills in Spanish not required
  • Stanford undergraduate students in good academic standing are eligible to apply
  • All majors are welcome
  • Students must be currently enrolled at Stanford as well as enrolled in fall quarter of 2024

In Addition

  • Per Stanford’s international travel policy, this opportunity is conditional on the security and medical risk level in the proposed destinations remaining at medium risk or below. See Stanford International Affairs for more information.
  • International students must check with the Bechtel International Center regarding whether their immigration status will allow them to travel over the summer.
  • Students will be required to attend or complete in spring quarter:
    • An Office of International Affairs (OIA) international travel preparation course on Canvas;
    • A Stanford King Center on Global Development orientation session regarding compliance with Stanford University policies;
    • A field research information session; and
    • A Vaden Travel Health information session or a travel clinic appointment.
    • Please note that these will be held in spring quarter and are mandatory.

Next Steps

Submit the trip application on SOLO. Along with the application, applicants are asked to submit a C.V. and an official Stanford transcript.

After the application deadline of Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM, completed applications will be reviewed by Stanford King Center on Global Development staff as well as the faculty leads. Finalists will be invited for an in-person interview.

Candidates will be selected based on overall fit with the program, especially enthusiasm for the trip focus, and the ability to work both on a team and independently.

Questions?

Please contact the King Center Programs Team at kingcenter_programs@stanford.edu with any questions.