Students from the University of South Carolina this month are headed to Romania, a place USC has yet to explore through a faculty-led Maymester program.
The course, “Dracula’s Myth: Representations of the East in the Western Imaginary,” explores how Romania and Eastern Europe have been portrayed in Western literature, film and tourism.
Led by Melania Popa-Mabe, clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work, and Anna May, academic and career advisor and study away coordinator, the group will travel to Romania for an immersive opportunity to engage directly with the people and communities they study.
“Instructor-led education abroad programs are often the catalyst that inspires students to step beyond the familiar, giving them the confidence to explore destinations they may never have considered on their own,” said Morgan Inabinet, director of education abroad. “With a trusted professor leading the experience, these programs transform unfamiliar places into accessible opportunities for personal growth, academic discovery and global perspective.”
The program begins with the familiar Dracula myth as an entry point, then guides students toward a more nuanced understanding of Romania and Eastern Europe while building meaningful connections and collaborations with Romanian peers, Popa-Mabe said. “By integrating film, literature, and social work with lived experience, the program helps students develop a deeper understanding of global social issues and encourages them to reimagine the world and their role within it.”
Students are traveling May 18-28 throughout Romania — participating in workshops with Romanian social work students in Timisoara and Bucharest, visiting local social service organizations, and engaging in both public and nonprofit settings. Students will also explore cultural and historical landmarks, including Bran Castle and the Palace of Parliament. Through immersive learning, reflection and direct interaction with Romanian communities, students will gain firsthand insight into global social work practices and systems of care.
For Popa-Mabe, the program is an opportunity for students to challenge assumptions, build meaningful cross-cultural relationships, and engage with a region often misunderstood through Western narratives. By combining classroom theory with lived experience, USC’s newest Maymester program aims to create a deeper understanding of both global social issues and cultural exchange.
The program also emphasizes accessibility and inclusion. The current cohort reflects a diverse group of students, including first-generation, Pell-eligible, and transfer students and will experiment with innovative approaches such as student-produced and first-person immersive video to extend access to those unable to travel.
The new Maymester opportunity is one of 69 instructor-led programs offered through USC this academic year. This year, over 1,200 students will participate in USC’s instructor-led programs.