St. Edward’s University students might soon have new study abroad options among an array of already-expanding programs.

The university widely encourages students to study abroad and is working on creating more avenues through which students can go abroad. Two programs in Mexico, however, have been canceled.

Although fall and summer application deadlines have passed for the vast majority of programs, International Advisor Erin Garcia said that students can begin planning for the spring 2011 semester.

Campus in Angers

This summer marks the end of the first year of St. Edward’s physical campus in Angers, France.

“For the fall, we have 22 students that will be going; among the summer and the fall, we have 55 students,” International Coordinator Esmeralda Hoang said.

In the summer, students will receive credit for a French course while studying biology with Professor Bill Quinn, cultural foundations with Professor Peter Beck or photocommunications with Professor Joe Vitone. In the fall, Associate Professor Christie Wilson and Professor Catherine MacDermott will each teach several courses.

Faculty-led Programs

This summer, New College students will study Public Safety Management with Professor Craig Campbell in Amman, Jordan. Other New College students will study communications with Professor Sue Carrey in Costa Rica. In Sevilla, Spain, students will receive Cultural Foundations education and intensive Spanish. In Edinburgh, Scotland, students will study the planning and execution of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Assistant Professor Sheila Gordon for Cultural Foundations and Event and Management Marketing credits.

Exchange Programs

The Office of International Education also offers reciprocal exchange programs, in which students enroll in an international university separate from St. Edward’s.

“We actually have five different reciprocal exchange partners that we work with,” Garcia said. “We have one in Buenos Aires, Argentina; one in Monterrey, Mexico; one in Koblenz, Germany; one in Edinburgh, Scotland. We just started a new one in Angers, France.”

Garcia said that the exchange programs are very independent. Students study as local students, entirely immersed in the culture and left to organize their semesters on their own. Additionally, any St. Edward’s financial aid is applicable. The university also works with International Student Exchange Programs, which offers study in 138 universities throughout 40 countries.

“ISEP is kind of like a matchmaking company that matches up exchange students from around the world,” Garcia said. “It’s still a very immersive experience, very independent. You pay to St. Edward’s tuition, housing and meal plan, and you get all of those things in the host location.”

Canceled Programs

Although studying abroad offers students many positive experiences, it can occasionally be dangerous. Two programs in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, were canceled due to the country’s mounting drug violence. A recent report by the Associated Press said that drug-related violence has killed over 22,700 people in Mexico

Associate Professor Russ Frohardt and Assistant Professor Sara Dixon had planned to take 12 students from the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences to Valle de Bravo. Students were set to take nine hours of courses over six weeks in the summer, one course requiring participation in substantial civil service projects. Both programs were canceled.

“There is currently a travel advisory from the State Department regarding U.S. travel in Mexico,” Frohardt said. “Several students and parents were expressing concern about safety. After evaluating risks, both schools decided this was not an appropriate time to take a group of students into the country.”

Frohardt said that a trip to Monterrey, led by Professor Terry Newton, had been canceled much earlier in the semester. “There is a very strong possibility that the program [for Behavioral and Social Sciences] will be offered next summer,” Frohardt said.

Looking Ahead

St. Edward’s has been discussing the possibility of study abroad options in Bahrain, an island in the Persian Gulf.

“We have a very active alumni base in the Gulf States, and there is interest there for seeing a St. Edward’s presence,” Hoang said. “These programs are still in the development stage and might not come to fruition until spring 2011 at the earliest.”

St. Edward’s is considering three options for Bahrain. The first is an exchange program with the University of Bahrain, and the second allows students in the area to prepare for education at St. Edward’s. Hoang said that the third option is professional education offerings focused on banking and finance certifications. 

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