2008 Woodie Awards
Studying overseas
Students spend spring break in learning mode
By Frank Skrip
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 3/18/05 Section: News
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In all, nine classes, totaling 139 students, took trips to Italy, Spain, England, France, the Dominican Republic or the Bahamas.
"This is one of our most outstanding programs," Donald Kerchis, director of international initiatives, said. "Each spring semester for the past 10 years, students who have been studying in the traditional classrooms fly to an international destination related to their course and get the chance to see and understand the topic up close and personal."
English professor Rachela Permenter took her Shakespeare class on a 10-day trip to Italy.
"These trips overseas give the participating students a vivid conceptualization of what they're studying," Permenter said. "They get to see that their culture is just one of many, and I think mostly all of the students come back changed."
Spencer Scanlon, a public relations major with a minor in art, attended the "Renaissance Tradition" trip to Spain over spring break. He said although most students would prefer to go to a "hot spot" for their break, he would rather expand his knowledge in Europe.
"I love traveling, especially to Europe, so I seized the opportunity to get there for a reasonable amount of money and culture myself, all the while earning credits towards my minor," Scanlon said. The cost of the different trips varied. The "Renaissance Tradition" trip cost students $950, while Permenter's Italy trip cost $1,175. The university subsidized some of the cost of the trip, but students had to pay out of their own pocket since there were no fundraisers.
Kaytlin Sumner, a history and literature major, attended the Shakespeare Italy trip. She said a few of the places the class visited included the Coliseum, the Vatican Museum and the Roman Forum.
"A lot of these places we saw, you really can't do them justice in a classroom," Sumner said. "It's just an awesome experience."
Sumner said she's glad that the trip took place over spring break, rather than during the summer. She believed because of students' and faculty's hectic schedules, spring break really was the best time to take these trips.
Permenter said she agrees with Sumner that the trips are best taken over spring break.
"Going during the week of spring break is really beneficial, from a professor's point of view especially," Permenter said. "This gives the class the opportunity to have discussions before the trip about what they're going to see, then afterwards about their experience."
Any questions regarding these trips can be directed to the International Initiatives Office.
