Southeastern offering 16 summer study abroad programs -- Sign up underway
Contact: Christina Chapple
10/22/08
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University is offering students 16 study abroad opportunities – including four new programs – for summer 2009.
It is not too early to sign up for the programs in London, Scotland, China, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, France, and Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, said Professor Charles A. Dranguet, interim director of the university’s International Initiatives Office.
“Students who wish to take advantage of a variety of scholarship opportunities should contact us now,” Dranguet said. “The earlier they sign up the better, since limited numbers can be accepted in each program.”
Students have until Dec. 12 to apply for study abroad scholarships, and Feb. 29 to apply for the 16 programs. They can learn about those programs and scholarship and financial aid opportunities at interest meetings on Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Jan. 23. The meetings will all be held in Fayard Hall, room 207, at 4 p.m.
Dranguet said a variety of scholarships are available for study abroad, including 110 scholarships awarded by the Southeastern Student Government Association.
“This year we are receiving an additional $4,000 from the SGA, giving us $80,000 for scholarships of $1,200, $800 and $200,” Dranguet said. “We could not do this without the SGA. SGA is providing an invaluable service to fellow students.”
Students can also apply for the university’s Charles A. Redman, Department of Foreign Languages, and Institute for Global and Domestic Development scholarships, as well as scholarships offered by Phi Kappa Phi honor society, Rotary International and other organizations.
“Since students can apply regular financial aid to study abroad expenses, most students can manage the out-of-pocket costs,” Dranguet said. “Student abroad really is more affordable than many students think. And all of our students who participate tell us that the experience is worth every penny.”
Dranguet said new 2009 programs include a two week trip to London where students can take courses in media, feature writing, theater and history. New summer programs will also provide opportunities to study Spanish language and culture in Valencia, Spain, and sea turtle biology and conservation in Costa Rica.
The London program is being offered back-to-back with another new study abroad opportunity in Scotland, which will include Scottish culture, history and political science courses, Dranguet said.
“During the London program, students will go to see a production at the Globe, the reproduction of Shakespeare’s theater,” Dranguet said. “The Scotland program will take place in Edinburgh during the ‘Fringe Festival,’ the city’s famous performing arts festival.”
“We scheduled our London and Scotland programs consecutively so that students may take advantage of both,” Dranguet said.
Last year’s first “Spring Break” study abroad program was such a success – “We had more students apply than we could take,” Dranguet said – that the university plans to repeat the opportunity in 2009. From April 10-19, students can enroll in visual arts, humanities and German culture courses in Munich.
Through 2009 summer programs, Southeastern students can also study political science, history, geography and visual arts in Salzburg, Austria; German, music and humanities in Cologne, Germany; nursing in Honduras; biology in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador; French language and culture in France; world literature, Italian literature, film and culture, and major world authors in Tuscany, Italy; Italian and other foreign languages in Tarquinia, Italy; management, general business, marketing and tropical ecology in Costa Rica; marketing and management in China; and economics and marketing in Panama.
Program costs include tuition, lodging and some meals, site visits, and lectures by top local experts. The International Initiatives Office and some of the university’s top faculty coordinate the programs, Dranguet added.
Application packages and information on program dates, courses and fees are available online at www.selu.edu/studyabroad and through the International Initiatives Office, McGehee Hall, room 210, 985-549-2385, studyabroad@selu.edu.
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