Unique Courses Combine Classwork and Travel
Texas A&M International University's 2000 Summer Exchange Program will see A&M International students travel to different parts of the world, including France, Germany, The Netherlands, and Greece. The University's Office of International Program coordinates the Summer Exchange Program yearly to foster student's learning of various countries culture, history, and economic structure.
Jannet Garcia, director of International Programs at A&M International, said the Summer Exchange Program gives many students who have not visited foreign countries the opportunity to experience different customs and explore firsthand sites they have studied in class.
"Our Summer Exchange Program affords students a unique and exciting learning experience, one that we hope will inspire a curiosity about different cultures, people, and ways of life. The Exchange Program will forever change the way students see the world," explained Garcia.
Among the offering for the 2000 Summer Exchange Program are:
"Global Enculturation: Europe, The Balkans, and Greece" (BA 4399, BA 5399, HIST 4391, IT 5399, and SOCI 3371) Students are required to complete 30 hours of coursework during the Spring semester. The coursework includes reading assignments, class presentations and lectures on the geography, history, and religion of Greece and the Balkans, and US/Greek politico-economic relations. The travel component of the course, which includes field trips to area businesses and points of interest in Greece, is scheduled from May 10 - 28.
"Special Issues: Doing Business in Europe" (BA 4399, BA 5399, and IT 5399) Students are required to complete 30 hours of coursework during the Spring semester, including reading assignments, class presentations and lectures. The travel component of the course consists of three weeks at partner schools in The Netherlands/Germany or France. While abroad, students will attend seminars by local faculty and participate in field trips to area businesses and points of interest.
The travel component of The Netherlands/Germany program, scheduled May 15 - June 2, will be divided between two partner schools, the International Business School at Arnhem, located in The Netherlands near Amsterdam, and Europa Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany on the border between Germany and Poland.
The three week France program is scheduled for June 12 - June 30 with a partner school in Brest, France, the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce. Brest is located approximately four hours west of Paris and is home port of the French navy's nuclear submarines.
"Renaissance and Reformation in France" (HIST 4390 and HIST 5310) Students are required to complete reading assignments plus 30 hours of coursework, including lectures on French history, during the Spring semester. The travel component, scheduled for May 15 - 27, will include escorted tours to historic sites in France pertaining to the Renaissance and Reformation period. While completing the travel component, students will be required to keep a daily journal then, upon their return, complete a 10-page term paper.
A&M International professors who teach the classroom portion of the courses accompany their students on the travel component.
Students are responsible for costs of their flight, accommodations, meals, and other travel expenses but may apply for the University's Scholarship for Study Abroad.
Students who need additional information on the University's 2000 Summer Exchange Program should contact Garcia at 326-2565 or visit her office in Pellegrino Hall room 215. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Additional information may also be obtained by email at international@tamiu.edu.
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu