The Wayne State study abroad program is offering three trips in spring and summer 2017 to Greece, Asia and Costa Rica.

The program gives students the opportunity to tour new countries, while also earning credit that can be applied to their undergraduate degree or their master’s degree. Classes are taught in universities or colleges near where the students are staying, by the school’s professors and by Wayne State College professors as well.

“In Taiwan, we are connected with Providence University,” said Susan Ellis, Program Director of the Asia Trip. “We have Taiwanese professors from Providence University teach about half the classes and then I teach the other half so that students get what I think is a full experience in that country.”

Studying abroad opens up many doors for students, not only academically but socially as well.

“Academically, students are able to focus their study on a particular part of the world,” Ellis said. “Socially, they have the opportunity to mix, mingle and make friends with people from a different part of the world.”

Each of the trips has core foundations on which the program is based, whether it’s learning more about the history of a country or learning how to speak in the locals’ native tongue.

“Our language courses have two foundations,” said Adolfo Cacheiro, Program Director of the Costa Rica Trip. “One is based on fluency and sounding like you can talk Spanish. This is where the study abroad program comes in, because students increase their fluency by spending some time living in a country where Spanish is spoken.”
Another key part of the trips is that, in addition to just studying, there is time for the students to sight see and relax.

“In this year’s trip, students will be spending two weeks in Manuel Antonio, which is a world famous resort,” Cacheiro said. “It’s not just about studying, it’s a combination of recreation and studying.”

Students who can’t afford to pay for the entirety of the trip may use financial aid and scholarships. In some cases, financial aid may be raised to meet the cost of the trip.

More information about the WSC Study Abroad program is available from Leah Keino at 402-375-7749 or in room 10 in the Kanter Student Center. Students may also visit the study abroad page on the Wayne State website and contact the program directors about specific trips.

“Come and talk to me, talk to Leah Keino and talk to students who have gone before and see what they thought about their experience,” Ellis said.

Plans have been made for a general meeting for all who are interested in the Costa Rica trip. The meeting will be Nov. 15 in Humanities lounge at 5 p.m.