Study in Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore

Study in Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore, Summer 2027

Sustainability, Stories & Solutions: Adventures in Environmental Biology and Literature in Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore

Sunday, July 18 – Sunday, August 8, 2027

View of Malysia’s cityscape

Explore the vibrant cultures of Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore through service learning and environmental and literary themes across urban and wild landscapes.

Upcoming Information Sessions:

July 8 (in-person and via Zoom)
Time: 9–10 a.m.,
Location: Room 6409 (Linguistic Justice Center)

July 22 (in-person and via Zoom)
Time: 3:30–4:30 p.m.,
Location: Room 6409 (Linguistic Justice Center)

Please check back for Zoom details.

The Destination

Join us in Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore, as we traverse both urban and wild landscapes, immersing ourselves in the biological richness, linguistic and cultural diversity, and the world-renowned food scene of the region!

Malaysia is one of the world’s designated biologically megadiverse countries. Coupled with this extraordinary biodiversity are bustling, cosmopolitan and historical cities filled with charm. During this study abroad we’ll engage directly with the local communities and ecology through service learning, storytelling, and exploration.

View of Malysia’s cityscape

The Academic/Cultural Focus

Through a combination of English and Environmental Studies classes, you’ll hone your scientific skills, literary analysis, and expressive writing. There are many issues ripe for exploration: sustainability, biodiversity, social justice, urban ecology, forest and marine ecosystems, and conservation of rare animals such as orangutans and sun bears (and perhaps the elusive pygmy elephant) in the face of deforestation. In addition, through the literary lens, you will be able to consider how the scientific concepts and related societal issues have been captured and spread through literature and how one can wield literary forms to deepen audience awareness and action.

Adults of all ages are welcome to the program. The courses have no prerequisites and are open to all backgrounds and majors. There are no language requirements, as we will be supported by local and regional guides. The main requirement is your openness and sense of adventure on this active program.

Submit Your interest Form

Program Highlights

A unique opportunity to explore both tropical ecosystems and cosmopolitan cities through travel to mainland Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore.
See six cities (Singapore, Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Cameron Highlands) and three distinct jungle locales (Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands, Royal Belum State Park, and Kinabatangan River in Borneo).
9 units of coursework offered by Foothill Faculty in Biology (BIOL 9+9L Environmental Science with Lab) and English (ENGL 10A Literature and the Environment or ENGL 80 Travel Writing).
Immersive academic experience with lectures, experiential and service learning, visits to sites with cultural and environmental significance, and engagement with indigenous communities.
Nature activities include jungle trekking, eco-canopy walks, snorkeling, lake and river cruises, visits to wildlife conservation centers (orangutans and sun bears), and participation in a reforestation project. Urban activities include city tours, exploring and sampling local cuisine, temples and culturally significant sites, and free time for exploration.
Accommodation in 3-star hotels and in eco-lodges, with twin occupancy (singles available).
Daily breakfast provided, plus 18 additional meals.
Participants of all backgrounds are welcome! Bring a sense of adventure!

Travel Dates

Sunday, July 18, 2027 (arrive in Singapore—depart US on July 17)
Sunday, August 8, 2027 (depart Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Course Dates

The courses will start in an asynchronous online environment on Monday, July 12, and conclude on August 8.

Program Itinerary

Date	Day	Location	Activity
July 12–16	Pre-Departure	Online Canvas Course Introduction	Engage in pre-trip community building, course content overview, and trip planning.
July 17	Day 0	In Flight
July 18–20	Days 1–3	Singapore	Sustainable city
July 20–24	Days 3–7	Penang	Cultural history and society; rainforest eco-park.
July 24–26	Days 7–9	Royal Belum	Jungle trek; Orang Asli community engagement.
July 26–28	Days 9–11	Ipoh, Cameron Highlands	Visit cave temples, mossy forests, and tea plantations.
July 28–31	Days 11–14	Kuala Lumpur	Eco-forest and cave exploration; independent engagement.
July 31–Aug 2	Days 14–16	Kota Kinabalu	Cultural engagement: snorkeling exploration.
Aug 2–6	Days 16–20	Kinabatangan River, Sukau	Wildlife and ecosystem service learning; tree-planting activity; Orang Sungai community engagement.
Aug 6–8	Days 20–22	Kuala Lumpur; Depart Aug 8	Culminating presentations; independent exploration.

Program Faculty

Allison Herman

Hello everyone! I'm excited to join you all on our journey to Malaysia-Singapore-Borneo in Summer 2027. Since joining Foothill College in 2013 as an English instructor, faculty tutor, RSLS Coordinator, Humanities Mellon Scholar Mentor, and Human Library archivist, I have been focused on the theme of global citizenship, human rights, and climate justice, teaching a broad range of courses—such as ENGL 14: Traveling the world through contemporary literature—and coordinating programs that explore our connections with communities and cultures worldwide, the critical social issues that bind us, and the power that language and literature have to transport and transform us. Growing up, I traveled the world through books. This fascination with the world and the immersive power of language led me to my first international trip through a study abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico, while a student at Santa Barbara City College, and soon after to my study of English literature at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State University, where I deepened my exploration of world literature and linguistic justice. My travels through Latin America, North America, and Europe have increased that passion. My recent trip to Costa Rica has fueled my commitment to eco-edu-tourism and stewardship, and I am thrilled to be venturing with you all to Southeast Asia to engage in Sustainability, Stories, and Solutions.

Lisa Schultheis

Hi! I'm excited to travel and learn with all of you in South East Asia during summer 2027. I've been teaching at Foothill College in the Biology department since 2002. Prior to joining the Foothill faculty, I attended the University of Arizona. for my BSc, and then headed east to study Botany at Duke University in their PhD program. UC Berkeley and the Jepson Herbarium. lured my major professor to California, which is how I landed on the west coast, finishing my PhD in Integrative Biology. Before settling permanently in California, I did one last research stint through the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University. I caught the travel bug at a young age, living in various countries as an Air Force brat. I fortuitously visited Malaysia on a multi-day layover during one of my many travel adventures and feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity to return!

Program Hosts

Foothill College is partnering with Latitudes in the program design, infrastructure, leadership, and support of this Summer 2027 Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore program.

About Latitudes, LLC

We help colleges and universities by designing, coordinating, and implementing affordable study abroad programs throughout the world.

We are college professors with years of experience coordinating and running study abroad programs all over the world. We now help colleges and universities coordinate and implement affordable, accessible study abroad programs to destinations of choice.

We have over 25 years of experience in designing, coordinating, directing, and teaching study abroad programs to destinations such as the UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Austria, Czechia, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Argentina, and Peru.

–Darren Leaver and Laura Englund-Krusee (http://latitudesabroad.com/gallery)

Courses Offered

BIO 9 with 9L: Environmental Biology with Lab (5 units)

AND

ENGL 10A: Literature and the Environment (4 units)

ENGL 80: Travel Writing (4 units)

If you have already taken and passed one or both of those two courses, you will enroll in Independent Study and/or a "stacked" course offering. More information is available upon request.

Application and Costs

As part of the application process, please complete the interest form to tell us a bit more about yourself. If you meet the initial program eligibility criteria, we'll provide the official program application.

GEL Malaysia-Singapore-Borneo Program Interest Form – Summer 2027

Program Cost

$4,695 per person (cost may be reduced depending on the total number of participants).

Payment Schedule

$295 due upon acceptance
$2,100 due by Dec. 11, 2026
$2,500 due by March 17, 2027

A $100–$200 rebate will be issued if enrollment thresholds are reached.

Cancellation Policy

If a student cancels:

On or before Dec. 11, 2026: $150 cancellation fee.
Dec. 12, 2026 – March 16, 2027: $1,250 cancellation fee.
March 17, 2027 – April 17, 2027: $2,500 cancellation fee.
On or after April 17, 2027: No refund will be issued.

If the District or Latitudes cancel:

On or before Dec. 16, 2026: A full refund will be provided.
After Dec. 16, 2026: A full refund will be provided, minus any non-recoverable expenses, which are typically $500 or less.

What's Included

The following are included in program fees:

21 nights' accommodation in 3-star hotels and jungle lodges based on twin occupancy.
Daily breakfast and 18 additional meals.
Basic emergency medical and emergency evacuation insurance.
Four regional economy flights with 1 carry-on and 1 checked bag.
Overland transportation by coach.
Group airport transfers in Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Sandakan, and Kota Kinabalu.
Entry fees and activities.

Additional Costs Not Included

The following are not included in program fees and will be additional costs:

International airfare
Trip cancellation insurance
Snacks, meals, and beverages beyond the breakfasts and 18 meals noted above
Visas
Tuition
Textbooks
Personal spending money
$800 single-room supplement

Program Eligibility

This program is open to adults of all ages and experiences who:

Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Are able to travel to Singapore, Malaysia and Borneo (hold or are able to obtain a U.S. passport or a passport from a country with eligible entry to these regions).
Are ready to explore and engage in meaningful learning through service!