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WSU offers variety of study-abroad opportunities

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(Source: Valerie Jacobson) A replica of Michelangelo’s David statue stands in the original location in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

Weber State University offers students a variety of study-abroad trips to broaden their education. Students who study abroad can make new friends, see world wonders and gain knowledge in a subject they have a passion for.

The majority of study-abroad trips usually take place during late spring and toward the end of summer before fall semester begins.

For example, the Biennale Festival happens every two years and spans June 10 to July 1 in Venice, Italy. The art department chose to create a study-abroad trip specifically for this event and had 10 WSU students sign up.

“I think it’s a good experience,” said WSU art major Amy Dimare, a student who went on the trip. “It teaches students to learn and work in a different environment that is not in the classroom.”

Study-abroad trips usually last 13 days, but some go for more than a month, and the amount of students attending can range from 10 to 40. The trip details will offer specifics, and sometimes it can be a first-come-first-serve kind of situation. Each trip centers on a certain field of study. However, the majority of trips are open to any WSU student who wants to go.

WSU senior Valerie Jacobson went on the Evolution of Renaissance trip and said she appreciated the opportunity.

“Study abroad is a great chance to learn outside of the classroom and learn about a new culture,” she said.

Upcoming trips include China, Ireland, Scotland and England, and Bath, London and Paris.

China study abroad is a little less than a month long, from April 27 to May 20. This trip offers students the opportunity to see the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and the Terracotta Warriors.

With the Ireland, Scotland and England trips, students will explore the Tower of London, Dublin Castle and the Edinburgh Castle. This trip goes from April 29 to May 15.

Students who love theater and costume designing might enjoy the Bath, London and Paris trip, which runs May 15-23.

“You get all the benefits of traveling, and you also get all the benefits of education,” said philosophy professor Marc Nelson, who oversaw the Renaissance trip.

The upcoming Europe trip will span May 19-31. This trip will take students through Florence, Italy; Provence, France, and Shakespeare’s England. Students will learn about the evolution of the Renaissance.

Many students decline from going on study-abroad trips because of the expense. The Europe trip costs $3,879. This includes round-trip airfare, hotel, breakfasts, transportation, admission to museums and class credit. Participants of the Europe trip who do their work and are engaged receive three credit hours in History 4720 and three credits for Philosophy 2920.

Grants, loans and 40 scholarships of $500 are available to students interested in going on study-abroad trips.

Not all the study-abroad trips are in other countries. Photography majors recently went on a two-week trip to California, where they explored San Francisco, Yosemite, Big Sur, Mammoth and Monterey.

“We got to learn a bunch of different alternative photography processes that date back all the way to the 1800s,” said photography major Eden Buxton.

Students interested in studying abroad can look at WSU’s study abroad page to find out what trips are available and to get more information.

“This trip was absolutely worth it . . . It was probably the best two weeks of my life,” Buxton said.

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