Randolph faculty members lead 1-3 week study seminars across a range of academic disciplines and in countries around the globe either during winter break, spring break, or the summer. After completion of one semester of study, all students are encouraged to participate in these unique programs, which may have prerequisite courses and include pre-departure sessions and post-trip activities. The average cost of each program is $3,500 and the fees typically cover tuition, lodging, most meals, activities, and round-trip travel expenses. Limited need-based financial assistance for participation in these trips is available through the Office of International Programs. Please contact the Experiential Learning Center for more information about the upcoming seminars listed below; for descriptions of past seminars, please click here.
Belize Peacework Project
Faculty: Jennifer Abbassi, Associate Professor of Political Science, Peggy Schimmoeller, Associate Professor of Education
How to Apply
Travel to northeastern Belize for two weeks during the month of May 2008 to engage in a series of community service projects organized by Peacework, www.peacework.org. A mandatory pre-departure lecture series and orientation program will begin in April and a debriefing session will take place at the end of the trip. Each student will undertake a culminating project to be presented during an event open to the College community in the fall; the nature of the projects abroad will be determined by student areas of interest and experience at the site. The course will use a methodology that emphasizes global-to-local connections and applied learning through community development projects. On site, in addition to working at the grassroots level, students will interact with local officials, educators, and other leaders. The goals of the course are to foster intercultural dialogue, experience in community-building, and involvement in a unique development project.
Fresco & Mosaic: History in the Making
Faculty: Andrea Campbell, Assistant Professor of Art, Kathy Muehlemann, Associate Professor of Art
How to Apply
In May-June 2008, join art department faculty to explore Rome and Florence. In Rome, the group will see mosaics and frescoes including ancient (St. Peter’s, the Domus Aurea, and the neighboring port city of Ostia), medieval (Sta. Prasede, Sta. Maria Maggiore, San Clemente), Renaissance (Villa Farnesina, Vatican) and contemporary works. In Florence, the group will have the opportunity to contemplate the original function of late Medieval and Renaissance frescoes in situ at Sta. Maria del Carmine, Sta. Croce, the Monastery of San Marco, and Sta. Trinità. From Florence the group will take a day trip to Siena to observe frescoes in a largely intact late medieval setting. The group will also see works in major museum collections. Prerequisite: ART204, offered Spring 2008.
St. Lucia & The Caribbean: Learning Through Service
Faculty: Brad Bullock, Professor of Sociology, Sabita Manian, Associate Professor of International Relations at Lynchburg College
How to Apply
The on-site service learning component of this unique course focuses on the relationship between the politics and economics of sustainable development and voluntary activities. This will be an exciting and collaborative trip with students from Lynchburg College and with the organizational expertise of PEACEWORK, an international village network organization that specializes in service learning. A required, one-week, pre-departure orientation course will be held on the Lynchburg College campus followed by nearly three weeks of travel in May-June 2008. This four-week program will explore the concept of development in the unique context of the Caribbean, through direct participation in service learning projects students will carry out on the beautiful island of St. Lucia. We will seek to understand economic and social empowerment created through grassroots community organization, efforts to encourage self-determination (e.g., through entrepreneurial skills, micro-finance or fair trade schemes) and initiating actions for preserving the local ecology, landscapes and cultures.
Select the application for the program of your choice...
Belize Peacework Project Fresco & Mosaic: History in the Making St. Lucia & The Caribbean: Learning Through Service Gather the following supporting materials...
reference letter from a faculty member, and reference letter from a residence life staff member Submit the completed application and supporting materials to the Experiential Learning Center (ELC) located in West Hall. Deadline: January 25. Students interested in need-based scholarship assistance must also complete the Summer Financial Aid & Scholarship Estimator form, available in the ELC. Please contact Tina Johnson,tjohnson@randolphcollege.edu with any questions.
