Two new Studies Abroad programs launched this summer, four others beginning next summer
China. (Photo courtesy of google maps)
By Megan Walsh, Staff Writer walsh15@up.edu
Ever dreamed of visiting a far-off land different from anything you have been able to experience? Perhaps you wish to live among lions in Africa or taste China's interesting cuisines. No matter your travel aspirations, the University of Portland has a destination for you.
This past summer, the Studies Abroad Program added two new destinations: Rome and Santiago.
"It was amazing getting to see what we were learning about while sightseeing throughout Florence and Rome, and to have the expertise of UP instructors with us made learning about Catholicism in Rome more influential and interesting than if I had done it on my own," sophomore Kelly Slauson said.
The Santiago program is a Spanish immersion program during which time students live with Chilean families. Along with learning about social work, health and welfare systems, students visit local sights and volunteer.
"Living with a host family was incredible. The total immersion really helped me learn the language, and having the service projects really enriched my experience," senior Mara Kouides said. "I am a social work major and to see the similarities and differences between the different service organizations in a different culture was really great."
Due to the positive reviews both programs received, the Studies Abroad Department plans to repeat them.
"The program in Rome last summer was very successful, but I don't anticipate we will be able to repeat it until the summer of 2015," Wheeler said. "We anticipate that we will repeat the Santiago program in the summer of 2014."
The Studies Abroad Department also plans to send students to Beijing, Toledo and Heredia, as well as Cape Town, South Africa according to Fr. Art.
"For Cape Town, this is a bit of an experiment for us, but [Professor] Andrew Guest has spent a good amount of time in Africa already," Wheeler said. "He's a seasoned professor and I think he will be a good director for our first venture into Africa."
The students who travel to Cape Town will live together with their director in a student residence.
The Heredia program will be directed by Maria Echinique. Students will live in home-stays in order to become fully immersed in the culture. Students expressed enthusiasm about the University's plan to begin a program in Costa Rica.
"Costa Rica is bursting with culture that provides amazing experiences through taking part in the city life as well as outdoor adventures," senior Kate Wallace said. " Plus the people are so warm-hearted it makes it easy to miss being there!"
Although the economy affected the studies abroad program a few years back, the program is growing. The University aims to increase the percentage of students studying abroad from 37 percent to 50 percent over the next few years.
"Going overseas gives students a comparative perspective that greatly enriches their time at the University of Portland and they enrich the campus as a whole," Wheeler said. "Our students that do not get the chance to go overseas also profit from us having overseas studies programs because the students that come back bring a different perspective into the classroom."
Costa Rica. (Photo courtesy of google maps)
South Africa. (Photo courtesy of google maps)
Spain. (Photo courtesy of google maps)
