A-State Students Engaged in Study Abroad Experiences
JONESBORO – Barely two weeks past the end of the spring semester, Arkansas State University students are out across the globe travelling to new places for educational and personal enrichment.
Some of the travelers are scheduled to return home this weekend, and many more will be leaving on additional trips in the next few weeks, according to Dr. Dee Dee Hudson, director of the Office for Study Abroad.
Concluding a 20-day trip to Sweden, Finland and Estonia, a group of 10 students led by Dr. Marko Korkeakoski, instructor in the Department of Marketing and Management, is returning Sunday. During the past week, they studied business ethics during International Project Week at Helsinki Metropolia University. The group blogged about the trip at https://asugoestofinland.wordpress.com.
A group of 15 students, led by Dr. Gabriel Tait, assistant professor of multimedia journalism production, and Abigail Wilson, in athletics administration, are in England for a course, "London Sports and Culture." The students have one more week of travel, during which they are studying how sports help shape contemporary culture in a cross-cultural setting. Their Facebook page is "A-State London Sports & Culture 2015."
Eight biological sciences students are midway through their research trip to Nicaragua, where they are studying neotropical bats in an ecological framework with Dr. Thomas Risch, chair of the Biological Sciences Department. Activities include capturing bats during nightly field excursions for identification and future projects.
Four students in nursing are studying healthcare and culture in China during a two-week study trip. Led by Dr. Kathleen Wren, co-chair and graduate program director of the School of Nursing, the students will earn three credit hours for their work during and following the trip.
Also wrapping up this weekend is the annual Global Student Leadership Program, through which 10 A‑State students immersed themselves in service projects and the culture of Belize, in Central America, before returning to Arkansas this weekend. Alexis Hurdle, assistant dean of students, is leading the group.
A group of 16 Honors College students are in Europe for an intensive study of the history and lasting impact of World War II through sites in England, France and Germany. In addition to Honors College director Rebecca Oliver, faculty members with the group are Dr. Edward Salo, assistant professor of history, Dr. Erick Chang, associate professor of management, and Dr. Tim Oliver, professor of music. Their Facebook page is "A-State Honors WWII Study Abroad (Spring 2015)" and the class blog is at AStatehonorswwii2015.wordpress.com/.
A-State's Rotaract Club has sent 11 students on a trip to Brussels, Belgium, for 10 days. This is primarily a service project, and the club hopes to have a reciprocal visit to Jonesboro next year from a Belgium Rotaract club. Their Facebook page is "Arkansas State Rotaract." Korkeakoski is assisting with this trip, also.
A summer program in Costa Rica attracted eight students who leave next week for a month-long study of the tropical environment. The trip includes six credit hours in Spanish for the participants. Dr. Vicent Moreno, assistant professor, is leading the group for the Department of World Languages and Cultures. They will spend the bulk of their time in San Joaquin de Flores and Monteverde, with travel to the capital city, San Jose.
Additional students are scheduled to participate in trips beginning in June to Italy, Japan, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt. For additional information about international study opportunities, one may contact the Office of Study Abroad in the Dean B. Ellis Library, (870) 972-3734 or online.
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