From Mexico to the Czech Republic, study abroad traverses the globe
Meghan Kelsey
The MCC education abroad program offers students opportunities to travel and take courses in many diverse countries over the summer. Professor Lufti Hussein, director of the Jordan program, expresses the importance of studying abroad.
“This program will offer MCC students and faculty the opportunity to experience life in another cultural, political, environmental, and linguistic setting. Such an experience is invaluable for those learning to become active citizens in a global society.”
Students have the choice between many countries such as Mexico, Ireland, China, Jordan, Namibia, Costa Rica, the UK, and the Czech Republic. During the month-long excursion it is common for students to go on day trips and overnights trips to explore important historical, cultural, and environmental sites.
Dr. Dennis Wilson, director of the Namibia and Costa Rica programs said, “Probably the most unique thing about Namibia (and Costa Rica) is how completely and radically different . You know you are still on planet earth, but not your earth, not the earth with which you are familiar. It is amazing to experience this feeling.”
The hands on experiences are what make the study abroad programs so advantageous.
“Think about everything you have seen in National Geographic and watched on wildlife and nature shows, then imagine going there and experiencing first hand these things you have only seen in print or on TV. They become real, and no matter how amazing they seemed before, there is nothing that can compare to experiencing them for yourself,” Wilson said.
Financial aid and scholarships are available specifically for the students who are doing education abroad. Kymri Bouldin, an MCC student who has gone on the Costa Rica trip and is planning to go to Namibia and Puerto Penasco this summer, offered other students her advice.
“One of the best excuses to make for not studying abroad is financial issues or not being able to get time off of work for that long,” she said. My advice would be to do it anyway. When you look back 20 years from now, the money won’t even cross your mind, but the memories and fantastic times will. If you set your mind to going on a trip, you can definitely make it happen and it will be worth the money.”
All applications for the summer 2011 programs are due by March 25. If students are interested in studying abroad they must attend a mandatory orientation on April 9 in the Elsner Library in LB145 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. If students do not attend this orientation, they will not be eligible for the program.
Downloadable applications, important dates and deadlines, and complete information and details about each specific program are available at www.mesacc.edu/international/education-abroad.
