Where in the world could you go this year?
By: Jools Pulcher, Art & Life Editor
One of the biggest draws for some four year schools tends to be the study abroad programs they offer. However, students don’t need to go to a four year school to experience study abroad. At STLCC, one of the many opportunities students can take advantage of is their choice of study abroad programs.
STLCC’s current opportunities include trips to China, Russia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Scotland, and Canterbury, England. Each trip offered has its own timeline and specific purpose.
Students interested in Russian art can sign up for the Russia trip from May 20- June 2 through STLCC. The trip to Costa Rica runs from May 20-29, and it is centered around the endangered ecosystems that exist there and the study of the rainforest.
Students looking at visiting Colombia can do just that on the study abroad trip that lasts from May 20-29. This trip is centered around the study of the health services offered in Colombia. In addition to all other instruction for the trip, attendees will also learn some basic medical Spanish.
The Scotland trip lasts from June to July, and is centered around the University of Stirling. During this trip, students learn about the University and what it could offer should students apply in the future.
The Canterbury, England trip runs from September through December. The trip’s basis is encouraging students to study with British professors in order to gain a better understanding of the global community at large.
According to Chris Sulincevski, St. Louis Community College’s Study Abroad Coordinator, there are a few restrictions on who can participate in the study abroad trips offered by the college. “So each trip is different, but generally speaking students need to be 18 years of age or older, they need to have a valid U.S. passport or any other passport as international students may also participate in study abroad. In addition, students must have 12 college credit hours and a certain GPA which is more specific to the program,” he said.
While the restrictions on the program appear nominal, the experiences students can possibly gain are not.
According to student Paul Wisehart, who previously participated in the Canterbury trip, the experiences are important for teaching students about themselves.
“What I liked most is that there was more community there. It gave you the opportunity to learn more about yourself and see how you function in different scenarios outside your comfort zone,” said Wisehart.
Wisehart also said that he has a piece of advice for anyone who chooses to participate in study abroad. “If anyone goes, I would push them to do things that are uncomfortable for them,” he said. “The whole point of going is to experience something different, so do the things that make you deathly uncomfortable.”
For more information about Study Abroad Opportunities, contact Chris Sulincevski at csulincevski@stlcc.edu and 314-644-9671.
