The Grand Expedition was based on IU’s “summer tramps” held during the 1880s and early 1890s. These trips were significant because they represented some of the earliest examples—if not the first—of overseas studies programs in the United States. Summer tramps were co-educational trips through Europe for IU students and faculty that combined educational/research opportunities with tourism.
To honor IU’s historic strengths in this area, new courses, outdoor adventures, and alumni trips were developed. These new trips were planned to take place in countries that were part of IU’s 1885 'summer tramp,' including Norway, Switzerland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, France, and England.
Due to COVID-19 and international travel restrictions, the Grand Expedition did not occur in the summer of 2020. These courses may be offered in the future.
The Grand Expedition was the result of collaboration with the University Historian, IU Alumni Association, Office of Overseas Study, IU Outdoor Adventures, Office of International Partnerships, and the Office of the Bicentennial.