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Get your college career off to a great start!

Discover the pathway that may be best for you in pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Carlow University.

Ugandan boat ride
Experience campus living
Experience campus living
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Engage in a variety of direct service-learning projects
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Explore Your Passion and Empower Global Communities

Welcome to a unique, first-semester educational opportunity that helps you in getting to know yourself better, while helping others. The Carlow faculty have designed this immersive experience so you immediately can apply your learnings in real-world settings to make a meaningful impact. In addition to core curriculum courses that you can apply to most majors, you will spend 4 weeks abroad in Uganda.

Quick facts

  • Experience campus living and a structured self-reflection learning program focused on reinvigorating your passions and your purpose in life 
  • Serve alongside your peers, through service-learning projects in the fields of education, healthcare, social justice and more  
  • Benefit from onsite counseling to help you discover and process your strengths, interests and skills throughout your experience
  • Minister to the needs of Ugandans, igniting your global perspective of the ways in which you can best serve yourself and the world around you
A woman holding a Ugandan child, both are smiling.
Doctor consulting her female patient. Patient and doctor sitting in office. Diagnostic, prevention of women diseases, healthcare, medical service, consultation or education, healthy lifestyle concept

Your Discovery Program experience

On-campus discovery and preparation

You will begin your self-discovery living on Carlow University’s charming, urban campus in the heart of Pittsburgh’s exciting Oakland area.

  • First semester courses can be applied to most Carlow undergraduate majors.
  • You will be part of a living/learning community on campus during your first semester.
  • Service-learning projects will occur locally and internationally.
  • A residency fee, billed by Carlow, includes round-trip travel on major U.S. carriers, accommodations, meals, activities, and project materials.
  • Financial aid and scholarships may be available for eligible students.

Get Your College Career Off to a Great Start

If you are interested in the Discovery Program, complete this form or contact Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke, at slorourke@carlow.edu or +1 (412) 578-2054.

Service Learning in Uganda (30 days)

Apply what you learned, sharpen your problem-solving skills and make positive contributions through service and volunteer opportunities at Ugandan schools and health care clinics.

One of your guides and mentors abroad will be Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke. She has led study abroad programs for decades and is committed to helping you become immersed in the Ugandan culture with amazing moments and adventures. Alongside Susan will be a counselor available to students, both are trained in healthy relationships, stress management practices and study-abroad protocols.

Serve, Learn & Volunteer

  • Volunteer (provide tutoring and engage in fun learning activities) at Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities in Entebbe
  • Participate in service projects (plant orchards and tend to school gardens) for Bright Kids Uganda on Lake Victoria Island
  • Serve (provide instruction and adapt learning materials for children with disabilities) at Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE) in Opucet
  • Assist with vision assessments and distribution of donated eye glasses for seniors and school children
Two adults conduct an eye exam for a Ugandan woman. They are sitting pointing at a piece of white paper.
Three adults; one Ugandan and two women walk along a dirt road talking together.

Meet a New Culture

  • Hear inspiring life stories from locals, young and old; learn about their history including the effects of living as a British colony and subsequent years of conflict
  • Become familiar with local customs and their challenges
  • Interact with people living in remote villages without access to electricity, clean water, phones or computers
  • Prepare, taste and eat authentic Ugandan food 

Take amazing adventures

  • Visit the source of the Nile River and go white water rafting 
  • Take a hike to the tallest waterfall in eastern Africa, Sipi Falls 
  • Observe animals in their natural habitat on a three-day safari 
  • Visit Chimpanzee Island
Three women and one man stand on top of a rock flexing their muscles. A waterfall is behind them.
A Carlow student holds a Ugandan reptile in a field near a river.
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

An impactful experience

“I would go back and serve in Uganda in a heartbeat. I wish I had more time there. It had a huge impact on my life after returning and loved the opportunity to be able to have an impact on the lives of those there.”

– Kaylee Goblesky, Carlow University Nursing student

Get Your College Career Off to a Great Start

If you are interested in the Discovery Program, complete this form or contact Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke, at slorourke@carlow.edu or +1 (412) 578-2054.

Program Director

Susan O'Rourke
Susan O’Rourke, Faculty, Education, Education & Liberal Studies, Thursday, September 2, 2021. (Rebecca Droke/Carlow University)

Susan O’Rourke, EdD
Global Center Director

Global Center Director, Susan O’Rourke has been working in Uganda for 10 years (since 2012). She has personally selected the comfortable and secure living facilities for the Uganda service-learning program and prearranged secure transportation through established partners in Uganda. Dr. O’Rourke has developed experiential learning and service projects through established partnerships and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Partners such as:

  • Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities
  • Bright Kids Uganda
  • Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE)
  • Prime Tower Primary School

Contact the Discovery Program

If you are interested in the Discovery program, and have questions, email us or give us a call. We’re here to help!

Toth, Csaba

Education PhD, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. Research Utopian studies and social movements Interconnections between American and European social movements of the modern era  Publications Utopian Studies American Quarterly Spectrum … Continued

Carmine, James

Education PhD, Philosophy, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y.MA, Philosophy, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colo.BA, Philosophy, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colo. … Continued

Baronak, Keely

Keely Baronak, EdD is professor of Education and chair of the Education Department at Carlow University. She also serves as Executive Director of The Campus School. She began her teaching … Continued

Understanding humanity: History minor

You can supplement your interest in learning about the past with a History minor. You will uncover the value of history through research of recorded events, analysis of patterns and critical thinking in order to present the past, better understand contemporary problems and predict future challenges.
A minor in History is a perfect addition to comprehensive Liberal Studies and English majors.

History minor curriculum

This minor is open to any major. A minimum of 18 credits is required.

You will choose from the following courses:

  • World Culture
  • History of the United States to 1865
  • History of the United States since 1865
  • Introduction to United States Labor History
  • Western Culture
  • Irish-American History
  • Boy Cultures
  • African-American History
  • American Constitutional History
  • Visions of the Future: Utopia/Dystopia/Science Fiction
  • Multiculturalism in U.S. History
  • Popular Culture
  • Girl Cultures

Dig into life’s important questions with a Philosophy minor

Studying for a philosophy minor, you will examine and ask the largest and most important of human questions concerning life and the nature of the universe. You will immerse yourself in a critical study of past and present systems of philosophic thought and learn to investigate the truths and principles pertaining to the nature of existence, knowledge, values and conduct. 

With its emphasis on language skills, critical thinking and abstract reasoning, the Philosophy minor has numerous practical applications. It complements majors such as Psychology or Education, and students majoring in Liberal Studies will find the Philosophy minor a superb addition to their other minors.

Philosophy minor curriculum

The minor requires 15 credits, including five courses in philosophy.

Study theology at Carlow

You can study the mystery of human existence and the interdependence of women and men as they relate to God through Carlow University’s scholarly Theology minor program.

Theology examines the human experiences that have given rise to questions of religion such as the meaning of life and death, the existence of a personal God, the search for human values, issues of peace and justice, contemporary spirituality, and ministry of the laity. The Theology curriculum provides the discipline necessary for this unique way of inquiry through courses in scriptural, historical, systematic and moral theology, and pastoral ministry.

Theology minor curriculum

This minor is open to any major and can be customized to your interest. A minimum of 18 credits is required. 

Required Courses

  • Religion and Human Experience

Understand the cultural history of gendered experiences: Minor in Women’s & Gender Studies

With the Women’s and Gender Studies minor, you can explore the historical condition of women and the interpretation of women and gender in the various disciplines. You will come to understand the present and future position of women in society and issues of intersectionality, such as race, gender, social class and sexuality. With this minor, you will be equipped to debate gendered situations today.

A minor in Women’s and Gender Studies is valuable in careers in advocacy, social services-related occupations, community development and government. 

Women’s and Gender Studies curriculum

The Women’s and Gender Studies minor requires three courses and three electives totaling 18 credits.

Required Courses

  • Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
  • Visions of Social Change: Global Women’s Writing
  • Feminist Theories
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