This summer, faculty and students will combine learning and leisure through a variety of faculty-led Education Abroad programs.
Ten faculty members and more than 100 students will embark on travels around the world, studying not just academics, but different cultures along the way.
Joan Anderson, assistant professor for the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, has led Education Abroad programs for two summers.
Especially in fashion, which is a global industry, it is imperative for students to gain international knowledge, Anderson said. While abroad, students benefit from a faculty member’s knowledge because students make connections they wouldn’t necessarily make on their own.
Studying abroad is rewarding to faculty members, Anderson said, because it is a way for instructors to enhance the teaching and learning process. Furthermore, there are research opportunities in other parts of the world, as well as opportunities to make connections for collaborative efforts in the future, she said.
“To be able to bring a global perspective to the classroom helps gain credibility,” Anderson said. “To say ‘When I was there…’ — students dig that. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.”
The 2005 list of Education Abroad summer programs includes:
• Business in Chiang Mai, Thailand, International Business Institute; faculty directors Dogan Gursoy and Peter Wyeth; 24 students, nine credits, $1,100 program fee. Students will learn international business practices of Asia and investigate international tourism in Thailand.
• Fashion Italy, Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles; faculty director Joan Anderson; 16 students, three credits, $2,380 program fee. Students will visit retail and manufacturing sites in London, Florence and Milan and attend lectures by leading merchandisers and designers in the fashion industry.
• Food and Wine of Italy, School of Hospitality Business Management; faculty director Terry Umbreit; 14 students, 10 credits, $5,800 program fee. Students will gain culinary skills, wine appreciation and participate in a four-week internship at upscale restaurants in Florence.
• French Culture and Wine, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature; faculty director Sabine Davis; seven students, one credit, $880 program fee. Students will acquire a better understanding of French culture through learning the specificities of Bordeaux wines.
• Nihon University-WSU Special Summer Program, Department of Foreign Languages and Literature; faculty director Ikuyo Suzuki; 17 students, 10 credits, $200 program fee. Students will be immersed in Japanese culture while studying Japanese language, values, aesthetics and contemporary culture and visiting Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Mt. Fuji.
• Summer School in Chile, Honors College; faculty directors Jessica Casselman and Ken Kendall; 18 students, seven credits, $1,400 program fee. Students will participate in an intensive Spanish-language course while learning about the history and culture of Chile.
• Ancient and Modern Vikings, Honors College; faculty director Kim Andersen; six students, two-three credits, $1,500 program fee. Students will explore the history and culture of the Vikings and the influence the Vikings had on Denmark and Norway.
• International Business in Buskerud, Norway, MBA Program; faculty director Len Trevino; 11 students, three credits, $690 program fee. Students will study international business with Norwegian students through case studies, industry visits in Kongsberg and lectures given by local executives.
