Savannah Weishaar
Reporter
Parkland College offers a wide variety of study abroad programs for its students.
Parkland offers study abroad programs in nine different countries including Austria, Costa Rica, Spain, Ireland, France, India, Japan, England, and China. There are Fall, Spring, and Summer programs available to students interested. While the deadline for Spring applications has passed, Summer applications are not due until mid-February. This gives students plenty of time to choose a destination, fill out the paperwork, and turn it in to study abroad in the Summer of 2019. England, China, and Japan are the only three countries that do not offer a summer program. However, students could travel to England in the Fall of 2019, China in the Spring of 2020, or Japan in May 2020.
According to the Parkland website, in Austria, students will study at Salzburg College which is a “private college for English-speaking students located in the heart of the city.” Students can earn up to seven credits by taking German Language and/or other courses. Students will also participate in at least a four day trip to Vienna, the capital of Austria.
The study abroad program in Costa Rica is offered only in the summer. Students will earn seven credits in Spanish and Humanities. Parkland’s website states that “this four-week program provides a total immersion experience through intensive language classes, family homestays, and excursions to exotic and fascinating places.” Some of the ‘exotic and fascinating places’ include Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Another program solely offered in the summer is India. Study abroad participants will live in Hyderabad, India. According to Parkland’s website, Hyderabad is a “city of around 7 million people, this “city of pearls”… is a vibrant, modern, economic and technological hub in India”. Students will take multiple courses in Indian life, culture, and history.
Students studying abroad in Dijon, France will have a chance to learn the beautiful French language. According to the Parkland Study Abroad page, Dijon is “exceptionally rich in history and art.” Students will also be provided with a three day trip to Paris as well as a three day tour of the Roman Provence and the Mediterranean Sea.
The study abroad program for Ireland is hosted in Carlow or “Carlowtown.” Participants will earn 6 credits in the courses of their choosing. Options include a variety of courses in Irish culture as well as other areas of study. Carlow is only an hour from Ireland’s capital Dublin. Several excursions to famous landmarks are included in the cost of the program.
According to the Parkland website, in Spain, students will study Spanish and Humanities at the International College of Seville whose “aim is to serve as a center for the promotion of international education.” Participants will live with Sevillian families for complete immersion into the Spanish culture. Trips to Cordoba and Morocco are included in the program.
To be eligible for one of these opportunities the student must be at least 18 years old, have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours, completed ENG 101 with a B or higher, and have at least a 2.75 gpa. If eligible, students should seriously consider one of Parkland’s Study Abroad Programs. Parkland’s website lists just a few of the benefits of study abroad in their list of “Top Ten Reasons You should Study Abroad”
- You will have FUN!
- Earn college credit while studying abroad.
- Cultivate a world view—essential in today’s society.
- Be more than a tourist abroad.
- Have a life-changing experience.
- Gain independence and self-confidence.
- Take advantage of Parkland’s lower cost for study abroad.
- Meet new people and make lifelong friends
- Learn a language faster.
- Impress future employers – Study abroad looks great on your résumé.
If students are interested and would like more information, they can visit the Study Abroad section on www.parkland.edu or contact Jody Littleton in her office at C126, phone at 217-351-2532, or email at jlittleton@parkand.edu.