Study Abroad
The best way to learn about what goes on in the world beyond your own backyard is to experience it. In fact Washington College encourages students of all disciplines to study abroad in order to gain a broader perspective of their career options, a better understanding of different peoples and cultures, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find their place in the world. Because of the nature of the international studies program, majors should, at the minimum, spend one semester abroad and may begin travel/study as early as the sophomore year. Many majors choose to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, augmenting a semester-long program with a year abroad, a summer seminar (to Cuba, Ecuador or England) and/or one or two internship experiences.
Considered a leader in international education among private liberal arts institutions, the College currently offers 35 study abroad programs. Study abroad destinations in England, France and Spain are, of course, quite popular, but more adventurous students find incredible rewards lie off the beaten track. The College's exchange programs at Rhodes University in Johannesburg, South Africa, and at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, present remarkable opportunities to study topics simply not available at Washington College. As is the case with many exchange programs, instruction in South Africa and in Turkey is conducted in English.
Australia
Dawn Streeter takes in the sights of the rock formations known as "The Three Sisters" in the Blue Mountains of Sydney, Australia.
Washington College offers two exchange programs in Australia—one at Monash University in Melbourne and another at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Dawn Streeter, a sociology major, headed for the Gold Coast, "where everyone goes for vacation." Considering a career in a law-related field, Dawn took several courses in criminology, as well as a class on the culture of Australia.
The school itself is very small, much like Washington College, and there was a large international student (i.e., American) population at Bond. "This was my first traveling experience, and if I could I would travel all over now. I loved meeting new people and experiencing things I'd never experienced before."
Dawn went to Sydney for the Olympics, visited the Great Barrier Reef and Frasier Island, and dined under the stars in the outback desert. She says that studying abroad was a valuable maturing experience for her. "Once I came back, I felt a lot more grown up then my friends, because I had been so independent for so long. It was a bit of a culture shock to come home."
Cuba
Cuba, a communist nation under an American economic embargo that has lasted for nearly 40 years, is unique in its provocative political and economic stance. Washington College's 15-day Seminar in Cuba provides an overview of the current situation in Cuba as it struggles to sustain its version of revolutionary Socialism. Students learn about Cuba's economy, government, health care, education, art and literature, and more. The group spends most of their time in Havana, making side trips to the provincial capital of Cienfuegos and the historic city of Trinidad.
This is a cross-cultural learning experience that may be of interest to students in the arts and humanities, as well as the social sciences. The group will meet with educators, students, health workers, government representatives, artists, and community leaders to learn how Cuba is attempting to cope with the economic crisis brought about by the collapse of its communist allies in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The Seminar in Cuba is directed by Dr. Daniel Premo, Professor of Political Science at Washington College.
Allyson Burleson '02, Sociology
The Cuba trip was great for me because it allowed me to see and experience first-hand a country which is generally totally off limits to Americans. I learned a lot--both about the myths and the truths of that country--simply by discussing them with its people. Although some of the discussions seemed like rehearsed party line, most of the people were very sincere in our conversations.
Denmark
Denmark is one of the jewels of Scandinavia. Located in northern Europe between the North Sea and the Baltic, Denmark is known for its great castles, cathedrals and natural scenery. Washington College operates an exchange program with the University of Copenhagen, which is open to students of all majors. The University of Copenhagan is a research university, encouraging students to acquire new knowledge through hands-on learning and conducting research and development aimed at solving specific problems. As the largest educational institution in Denmark, the University has fabulous facilities. Approximately 100 different institutes, departments, laboratories, centers, and museums form the nucleus of the university. This program may be a particularly good match for students interested in the sciences as well as anthropology, arts and languages, history and politics. Two Washington College students are currently studying in Denmark.
Ecuador
Jorge Cisneros and Jennifer Lubkin stand atop the Volcano Pichincha, overlooking Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
Jorge Cisneros, an Hispanic Studies and humanities major, and Jennifer Lubkin, an anthropology major, were study and travel partners in Ecuador. The two spent a semester in the capital city, at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Under the auspices of the Society of Junior Fellows, they each undertook a research project while they were there. Jorge completed a socio-linguistic study, investigating how the voice and language of the dominant indigenous group, the Quichua, has reemerged out of economic chaos. Jenn pursued her interest in book arts.
"Despite Ecuador's tiny size, we had ample ground during our semester abroad to explore and discover new interests," Jorge reports. "We're not the most adventurous people you'll ever meet, yet in one week we were able to climb to the top of an active volcano (which erupted magnificently four days later), slither through muddy underbrush to get to an outcropping overlooking the Amazon Rainforest, as well as explore the heart of a thousand-year-old, Native American city. Although we tried to take every opportunity for new experiences in this fascinating country, there still remains lots more to see and do. Go ahead, explore for yourselves!"
Finland
Finland was the perfect study abroad destination for Jeremy Gantz, an environmental studies and anthropology major who loves the outdoors. "Finland is a large country with a small population, and I was able to do a lot of hiking," he says. "For both of my biology courses, we spent a week skiing through the forest. We would hike and talk. There's a cottage system in Finland which provides free overnight lodging something like the shelters on the Appalachian Trail, only much nicer, with woodstoves.
"At the University of Oulu, Jeremy was drawn to the a group of art and architecture students from various countries. He befriended students from Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Hungary and Poland. "We discovered we had a lot on common, we had similar perspectives on life."
Jeremy said he picked up a little Finnish, but all his classes were taught in English, and even his Kummi family, his host family who invited him to dinner every Sunday, were eager to practice their English on him.
It was an experience he says he'll never forget. "Oulu has an incredible program. They really take care of you as an international student. I think everyone should study abroad You learn so much about yourself. You learn the world is a lot bigger than you realized."
France
Washington College offers two exchange programs in France—one at University of Pierre Mendès in Grenoble and another at Artois University in Arras. Virginia Gibson, a senior majoring in French and business management, spent the spring semester at Pierre Mendè.
"I took six classes, all taught in French," Virginia says, "so I learned how to speak French very well. I also did quite a bit of traveling. I went to Switzerland, Malta, Italy; I went to Paris four times and visited all the museums. I've been taking French since I was 12 years old, and I've always been astonished by French paintings. I always considered study abroad something I'd like to do."
Thanks to friendships she developed with several French natives who invited her to family functions, she received an intimate view of French culture. Now, Virginia is considering a career in French advertising or other international business, at least for a few years. "I'll definitely go back," she says. "In fact, I'm going to Paris to meet some friends for New Year's, and then we're going skiing in the Alps."
Hungary
Students who choose to study at the University of Pécs in Hungary will find a fine university in a pleasant modern town, rich in historical monuments and cultural and educational opportunities. InterCity trains run between Pécs and the capital city of Budapest, just two and a half hours away. There are direct coach services to several towns in Germany, Slovakia and Poland.
The city of Pécs is famous for its museums, galleries, and the festivals and cultural events it hosts. The National Theatre, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and the internationally known Ballet Ensemble offer wonderful programs. Other special events include the Summer Festival, the Folk Dance Festival and the international Winesong Festival.
The town is located on the southern slope of the Mecsek Hills. The vicinity of the Adriatic sea, the town's Mediterranean-type climate, the surrounding forests and lakes, the picturesque streets of its historical centre, the fascinating old villages and the teeming summer evenings all evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean countries.
The University of Pécs offers more than one hundred different classes in English, German, French, and Italian. These are standard classes of the university's graduate and undergraduate programs. In addition, each foreign language department's literature, methodology, and history courses are held in its language of study, and are open to international students with the necessary language ability.
Ireland
After two weeks in University College Cork in Ireland, Courtney Gillin '01 knew she couldn't bear to leave after just one semester. "UCC is the best college," she says. "Galway is beautiful, but there's so much more to do in Cork, and it is very student-centered."
She says the best part of the experience for her was the mountaineering club she joined. "Everyone I met was Irish, and it was such a bonding experience," she says. "We met every Wednesday at a pub for our weekly meeting, and then spent every Sunday hiking.
We'd hike all day, then go to a pub at night for dinner. Sometimes, too, we would go to the home of one of the club members, and every month we would do a weekend trip and stay at a hostel. If it hadn't been for this club, I wouldn't have seen half as much of the country as I did.
"Courtney says the international coordinators at University College Cork "bent over backwards" to make the international students feel welcome, and the Irish people are very friendly. "It was a very cool experience, and I still keep in touch with all my Irish friends."
Netherlands
The opportunity to travel freely is integral to the study abroad experience. Here, Wayles Wilson enjoys a weekend in Switzlerland.
Wayles Wilson is an international studies and business major, studying law at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Promoting international exchange is one of the main priorities of Leiden University, which is renowned for the high quality of the education and the research facilities provided. The university libraries contain three million books and periodicals, including a collection of old manuscripts and maps.
"The school system is quite different from Washington College," she says, "but it also allows for longer weekends for traveling. It has been a wonderful experience especially since I have been able to travel throughout Europe. So far I have been to Switzerland, Ireland and Northern Ireland, and Belgium, and will be going to Greece, Spain, and England before I leave to go back to Chestertown for Christmas. I am having an amazing time, and been meeting very diverse people. Living in an international house has been very enlightening. I have become very close with a Dutch family, and will cherish these experiences for a lifetime. Studying abroad has been one of the best things I have ever done, and will continue to travel for the rest of my life—it opens your eyes to so much!"
South Africa
In recent years, Washington College has sent several students to Rhodes University for the Spring Semester in South Africa program, a full exchange program. Penny Tilghman, a senior political science major focusing on comparative politics, jumped at the opportunity to study South African politics and policy.
"It was invigorating, as if I had started anew in how I viewed the world," says Penny. "Coming from a small rural area on Eastern Shore to a place where there is an array of cultures and dialects was so amazing. I found myself at a crossroads, being on what is essentially an imperial campus, and then walking out into utter poverty. Everything inside was free of racism, but outside the boundaries of the university I saw remnants of the apartheid regime, and it helped me to understand that we must take into account cultural ideologies as well as political ideologies.
"The most amazing experience for me was to go into the townships and talk to the people. One day, I went to children's shelter for at-risk youth--these children who had suffered so much trouble and tribulation--and they were singing like angels. I started to cry, because it told me that despite what they had been through, they still had hope. South Africa is a world amongst another world. It made me realize my blessings and my opportunities to help not only myself and but to help other people."
After graduation, Penny intends to pursue graduate work in development studies.
Turkey
Culturally, as in so many other respects, Turkey sits between East and West, drawing elements from both to produce its own unique blend. The territory that now constitutes the republic has been subject to a striking range of cultural influences; these have left a rich archaeological legacy, still visible in the landscape, from the civilizations of classical Europe and the Islamic Middle East.
The College's tuition-exchange program in Turkey is a wonderful opportunity for students interested in European, Mediterranean and Islamic civilizations, as well as languages and the sciences. Bogaziçi University, in Istanbul, got its start as Robert College, the first American college to be established outside of the United States. The university of 9,000 students was transferred to the Turkish government in 1971, and enjoys a distinguished academic reputation. The university comprises six institutes, a school of foreign languages, a school of applied disciplines and a school of advanced vocational studies.
The Kandilli Observatory is the center of a nationwide network of seismic stations and a prominent research center of the university.
All courses, except language classes, are taught in English.