Summer Abroad
The very best summers are those that are enriching in a person’s career or education. To a college student, what could be better than a summer where you get experience in your future career in a beautiful country, with friends, and receive college credit?
An amazing example of a study abroad program offered at ECU in the summer of 2018 was to Poland and the Czech Republic. This trip was originally created for communication and art students due to Poland’s visual aesthetic. After all, Poland is the glass blowing capital of the world. Along with communication students, the trip’s itinerary was also tailored to Theatre Education and Theatre for youth students. The majority of the experiences were linked to theatre for youth because the class consisted of performing for children in local schools and spreading global understanding for the youth of all nations through the performance of short plays.
The collection of plays that were used were obtained from global interaction via video linking sessions with universities that shared myths and legends from their home countries. Our connections included students from Japan, Poland, Egypt and Iraq. This was exactly like the Theatre for Youth class offered on campus which is required in the Theatre Education and Youth Theatre curriculum. The only difference was that instead of touring to schools in Greenville, the group performed in Poland. Other students also received credit for classes such as Theatre History and Dance. The trip catered to everyone’s needs and kept them on track for graduation, which is one of the objectives for any successful study abroad trip.
Although it was work-related, there was a lot of fun to be had. Activities included sightseeing, cultural immersion with Polish students as well as other foreign exchange students on campus at Krosno State college, plays, a glass blowing workshop, and many other breath-taking experiences. Living and breathing in Europe is truly an experience, especially for an artist of any caliber because Europe is nothing but artistic in nature, from the buildings to the ideas that are created in them. As a student that has studied abroad three times in different countries, I am a firm believer that it truly gives you a new pair of eyes to see the world and all of its diversity in an immersive setting. Studious travel is enhancing to your education and looks great on a resume and It is also an extremely fun way to learn. Everyone should try it at least once because it makes you a more well-rounded student and global citizen.
Money: As you can imagine, it can be expensive to pack up and study in another country. But Financial Aid is there to help. If you are taking classes at least part-time (3 credit hours/1 class for the summer), you could receive assistance. Scholarships are also available. For more information, visit the study abroad website or call the financial aid office at 252-328-66102.
-By Elora Hunter, world traveler, candidate for the BFA in Theatre Education, member of the ECU Community of Education Scholars, representative for the students of the School of Theatre and Dance on the six-member Fine Arts Funding Board.