As Faculty Director of the Honors Integrated Minor in Health, Dr. Melissa Watt is passionate about building community and preparing students for transformational experiences. This summer, students in the Minor will embark on a 5-week learning abroad journey to South Africa with the Organization for Tropical Studies. In the lead-up to their departure, Dr. Watt brought the group together in meaningful ways – from a backyard cookout at her home to reflective conversations about navigating cross-cultural environments and caring for one another as they learn and grow abroad. On their last day of class, students created a “reciprocity ring,” inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s culture of reciprocity, as a shared commitment to support each other throughout their summer experience.

Are you an Honors student looking for an interdisciplinary and immersive academic experience? Applications for the Integrated Minor for 2025-26 are due May 9! https://www.honors.utah.edu/integrated-minors/