BOOKPACKING NEW ORLEANS
In May / June, immediately following commencement, USC offers students a series of classes ‘off campus’, set abroad and in cities across the USA. These ‘special session’ programs are called ‘Maymesters’.
BOOKPACKING NEW ORLEANS is a 25-day Maymester set in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana, a unique region of America formed of a fusion of cultural strands: Creole, Cajun, African-American and White Protestant.
Andrew leads a group of student bookpackers on a road trip through this fascinating cultural landscape, exploring places and people through the portal of eight classic and contemporary novels, which we read as we travel. We use the novels as guidebooks, adopting a holistic approach to the humanities whereby literature, history, geography, politics and social studies combine into a unified course of study.
The students blog the experience, uploading their blogs to the BOOKPACKERS site.
Download the syllabus here.
To watch the recording of a recent informational session on zoom, use the link here.
Enroll through the Student Travel Abroad website here. The deadline for applications has been extended to November 10th 2025.
what we read where…
Experience the New Orleans Maymester in this terrific short film produced by the USC Dornsife Marketing team. Many thanks to Videographer Mike Glier and Story Producer Susan Bell.
““I alight at Esplanade in a smell of roasting coffee and walk up Royal Street. Little French cottages hide behind high walls. Through deep sweating carriageways one catches glimpses of courtyards gone to jungle...””
Testimonials
Nicole Yu, Class of 2026 (took the Maymester in 2025)
“Being a part of the New Orleans Bookpacking Maymester has been one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had at USC and a true highlight of my time here so far! Traveling through Louisiana -- from the languid beaches of Grand Isle to the vibrant streets of New Orleans -- and walking in the same places as the characters in the books we read allowed me to learn and feel so much more than I ever could in a traditional classroom. Professor Chater did an incredible job blending our travels with the course content and weaving the themes of our readings into every part of the trip. This journey also opened my eyes to another facet of the United States that I had never encountered before, especially the ways in which different communities navigate the legacies of social issues and natural disasters. On top of that, I loved immersing myself in the local culture; nothing compares to tasting a fresh beignet for the first time or listening to the soulful jazz at Preservation Hall.”
Samantha Ng, Class of 2025 (took the Maymester in 2025)
“I can’t think of any class that I would recommend more. This was one of the experiences that made me so grateful to be a USC student - there’s no other way I would’ve been able to explore these books and places alongside a group of truly incredible people. Through our daily explorations and seminar sessions, my classmates and I learned how to understand new cultures and perspectives, express our ideas thoughtfully, and find common ground to chart a better future. We also got to see literary characters and concepts literally leap off the page while making lifelong memories. This class is perfect for anyone interested in history, literature, or the ways that narratives of the past shape our present, no matter their major or year in school. If you have the chance to take this course, please do!”
Irina Harutyunyan, Class of 2025 (took the Maymester in 2024):
"Bookpacking New Orleans was a truly transformative experience. Over the course of 25 days, being immersed in a hub of cultures—both academically and personally—broadened my worldview. Professor Andrew Chater, a true gem at USC, guided us every step of the way and made us feel like we were directing our own movie, one illuminating story at a time. The program not only allowed me to explore Southern Louisiana's vibrant history, music, and art, but also gave me the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with locals about the struggles and tragedies that shaped the place. It was an unforgettable journey of self-discovery."
Luisa Luo, Class of 2027 (took the Maymester in 2025):
"Spending a month with Professor Chater in Louisiana opened my eyes up to new lenses of examining history and literature, especially the hidden passages of the American South. From quiet strolls through the graceful French architecture to rainy day boat rides encounters with wildlife, I contemplated the interior lives of writers who became my companions rather than abstract figures. During our journey on foot, we came in to close contacts with the cultural significances of New Orleans through nuanced, borderless hybridity in selected books. This is a priceless experience for adventurous and curious students who look forward to being intellectually activated."
