Taking a plunge down under this winter session may provide students with an escape from the confines of the classroom as they study abroad in ÿAustralia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Though it may sound like a vacation, students who embark on this journey ÿare taught the required curriculum just as they would be taught on campus; though in a slightly cooler way.
“I love what Mark Twain said: He never let his school get in his way of education,” Arthur Verge, history professor, said. “So we do have classes, but we blend them in with a lot of visits to museums as well as a lot of sight-seeing.”
Breaking away from the mundane, day-to-day scholarly routine many EC students keep up with every day, students who’ve ventured afar say they gained a better understanding of the workings of the world while learning about politics and Australian history.
“You go overseas and you really see what the world is like,” Robert Doss, 32, former EC student said. “It was an educational experience you can’t get in the classroom.”
Given a taste of island fever, the close borders of the countries allow for an atmosphere unlike that of America.
“In Los Angeles, we’re kind of to ourselves and don’t really like to talk to people,” Chris Everly, 20, business major, said. ” (Australians) are pretty mellow and welcoming, you feel a little more warmth.”
Flying solo this year, Verge will be the only professor chaperoning the trip, and the only one teaching the classes as well.
“Normally I go with Dr. Doyle but his music career kind of took-off,” Verge said. “He said, ‘Do you mind if I pursue that?” and I said, ‘No problem. Do you mind if I pursue Australia and New Zealand?’ so it’s a win-win.”
Verge and Dr. Doyle have been working together for 17 years and have led 21 study abroad programs in the past.
“I tell students, Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes’,” Verge said. “People meet people from different backgrounds and cultures other than their own.”
With a potential to earn six transferrable units, students interested in enrolling may do so before the beginning of December to ensure a space.
An initial $400 deposit is required upon enrollment, followed by $1,500 dueÿOct. 1 and finally, the remaining balance that accumulates to $4, 750, a hefty price Verge promises is well worth the cost.
Financial aid is available for students seeking monetary assistance.
“Students will see kangaroos, koalas, and the people are so gregarious,” Verge said. “The students will come out tired and exhausted but they come home with a wealth of knowledge and experiences and friendships.”
Interested students would depart Jan 7 and stay until Jan 28, afterwhich, students may opt to venture to Fiji for a seven-day excursion, at an additional $1, 680.
A ÿthree-night “Blue Lagoon” cruise to the Yasawa Islands and ÿfour night accommodations at a first-class beach resort would be included in the cost.
“(Studying abroad) looks really good on your record for transferring, apparently, and it really stands out,” Everly said. “I think it’s worth the money compared to what you pay for a regular trip to have fun; you save a lot of money.”
The courses to be offered will be Political Science 2: Comparitive Politics and History 4: Western Civilization.
Students interested in obtaining further information may contact Dr. Verge via e-mail at: [email protected].
?”I absolutely believe that any study abroad program makes students aware that the U.S. is only a small part of the world,” Doss said. “Everybody says: ‘The world can learn from America.’ America can learn from the world, too.”
