Some Bobcats will be spending their summer working a summer job, going home for the break or hanging out by the pool. Other students will be spending their summer abroad. GC is providing several different study abroad programs this summer in many different countries. Students will have the chance to take courses based on their majors and minors outside the classroom.
“I have always considered studying abroad, but I have never taken the time to research my options,” said Sophia White, a sophomore psychology major. “I have traveled to other countries before, and I loved every minute of it. It would be life-changing to actually live in a country for a month while completing courses.”
GC study abroad programs are for all students with different interests, although certain trips highlight certain majors and minors. Each trip includes a unique experience, whether it is a faculty-led program, a thematic program or a service-based learning program.
One GC program called “Gender, Culture and The Good Life: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Paris” allows students to complete two college courses this summer in the heart of France. Students will go on walking tours, where they will see the many sights of Paris, visit museums and live like locals for a month. Paris provides a rich history and a unique view on love, gender studies and culture for students to take in while strolling through the Louvre.
Another excursion being held this summer is GC England. Students will travel to London to study health systems and learn how culture influences the way people care for health. Students will have the oppertunity to take classes in many key locations, including the Florence Nightingale Museum. Students will stay at London’s Royal Society of Medicine Hotel, which is a perfect location to experience the excitement of London, visit popular tourist sites and sample world cuisines.
“I am studying abroad in Italy this summer,” said Tatum Cook, a junior marketing major. “What inspired me to study abroad this summer was my love for traveling. I had been to Italy before and fell in love with it, so I knew I had to go back. I’m excited to engulf myself in the Italian culture and learn everything I possibly can from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
With the endless opportunities that study abroad programs provide, some students are on the fence about whether they should fully commit to the experience. The decision to not study abroad can be influenced by a combination of personal, financial and academic factors.
“Once you get there, all of the planning and stress pays off,” said Natalie Clark, a senior psychology major. “The classes are worth it, and I learned so much, especially since I took language classes, and being immersed in it was a really cool experience.”
GC has two scholarships to support students with study abroad aspirations. The GC Study Abroad Scholarship and the New Horizon Scholarship are available to all students interested in study abroad programs. Students with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA may submit applications to be revised by the International Education Committee. The International Education Center can also advise students on other scholarship opportunities.
“It’s just really interesting to see the world, leave the U.S., and get that worldly perspective,” said Annabel Hirst, a sophomore world languages and cultures major with a specialization in Spanish. “I was staying with a host family in a small town called Cuenca, so I was really nervous to use my Spanish skills in a real-life setting. It’s nerve-wracking, but once you get past the culture shock and you just embrace the experience, it is so much fun. One hundred percent, do it. It is something completely new that most people have never tried before, and I really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend that people do it.”
