Seminole State plans various short-term study abroad trips in 2017-18

As part of its study abroad programs, the Seminole State College of Florida Center for Global Engagement will present numerous opportunities for international travel for the 2017-18 academic year.

The Center will sponsor five short-term, faculty-led trips this academic year, which include an expedition to study biology in the Amazon rainforest; a look at the 1994 peace process in Northern Ireland; explorations of film and media in Denmark and Sweden; a look at business and culture in London; and an engineering sustainability project in Peru. The study abroad opportunities will give students a unique chance to complete course requirements through travel and exploration.

“Our objective at the Center for Global Engagement here at Seminole State is to provide students of all backgrounds and academic disciplines the opportunity to explore other countries and cultures through academic travel,” says AnneLiese Busch, director of the Center for Global Engagement. “The skills students gain from international study are invaluable, and in many cases, lead to long-term success.”

A new study released by the Institute of International Education (IIE) shows that international education experiences offer benefits that can contribute to career advancement. The study, Gaining an Employment Edge: The Impact of Study Abroad on 21^st Century Skills & Career Prospects, demonstrates that study abroad opportunities provide students the critical skills to meet the needs of today’s workforce, such as teamwork, leadership and work ethic. In the long-term, these trips can promote career progression and the development of foreign language, intercultural, communication and other work-related skills.  In fact, more than half of those who responded to the survey said that they believe their study abroad experience led to a job offer at some point in their careers, according to the study.

All trips are open to Seminole State students, College faculty and staff, and interested community members. They are accompanied by a required, associated three-credit course. Each trip is led by a Seminole State faculty member, and travel grants may be available to students who apply early and are selected.

The cost for each trip varies but includes airfare, most meals and entrance fees. According to Busch, additional short-term travel opportunities are in the works. Those interested in these trips should check Seminole State’s study abroad website for details, including dates and application instructions.

The Northern Ireland Peace Process: March 2 - 11, 2018

In this spring break trip, students will study first-hand the political history and conflict between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Students also will gain insight into Ireland’s history, people and culture.

Biology in the Amazon: March 2 -10, 2018

Through Biology in the Amazon, also taking place during spring break, travelers will study the biological diversity of the Amazon River and surrounding areas by helping conduct field research. Students will study environmental biology, including principles of evolution, population and community ecology, and biodiversity, all while being introduced to the history, culture, and politics (as it relates to environmental issues) of Peru. Community ecology and species interactions will be witnessed first-hand in the tropical rainforests of Peru and in biological reserves.

Engineering Sustainability in Peru: March 2 - 9, 2018

Geared toward engineering students, this trip, will focus on work at a local village along Lake Titicaca. Students will participate in three different service-learning projects to help improve the village’s quality of life, including a look at methods for creating hot water to help locals shift away from dangerous electrical water heating; transforming the village’s energy source to sustainable hydroelectricity; and rebuilding carcinogen-releasing ovens into clean-burning stoves that serve as home heaters.

Film in Denmark and Sweden: March 2 - 9, 2018

This trip will take travelers to arguably the two most important cities for Scandinavian film and television: Copenhagen and Stockholm. Beginning in Copenhagen, Denmark, students will visit the Danish Film Institute along with other historical sites, including the Christiansborg Palace, the Round Tower and the harbor where the famous "Little Mermaid" statue resides. Following the Copenhagen escapade, students will hop aboard a high-speed train and go to the Swedish capitol of Stockholm, where they will visit Swedish television studios, Old Town Stockholm and the Royal Palace. 

Business and Culture in London: March 2 - 10, 2018

This trip will allow students to discover some of the most prominent business hubs in the world and take an in-depth look at local companies and their business practices. Students will also explore London’s diverse range of cultures, while travelling to some of its most famous sites and attractions, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.  

Long-Term Study Abroad Opportunities

Through The Center’s Student Exchange and Double Degree Programs, Seminole State students can study for a semester or more at one of The College’s partner institutions around the world. This network of institutions enables Seminole State students to study abroad without incurring program fees and other third-party costs. Credits earned abroad can be applied toward a student’s degree and financial aid can be used.

Seminole State’s partner institutions are in 10 different counties worldwide. The College is a member of The College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS), which is a conglomerate of colleges and universities that provides students numerous possibilities for study abroad destinations, regardless of background, major or socio-economic status.

“International travel serves to enrich our students’ academic experience,” says Busch.  “We aim to provide students with hands-on, experiential learning. Whether it is for 10 days or two semesters, all international opportunities are established with an eye to making travel accessible and affordable to as many students as possible.”