2008 Woodie Awards
MAP fits going abroad into student's schedules
Kate Hanly
Issue date: 4/15/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The Marist Abroad office is almost four times busier than it was five years ago.
This semester, a record 127 students are abroad in various countries. In order to heed this increasing demand to study abroad, MAP has added more short-term programs to its impressive selection of destinations.
Jerre Thorton, MAP Coordinator, said this is the first year MAP offers all of these new programs.
"Now it is much easier for students that can not devote a whole semester to studying abroad to take part in the MAP programs," Thorton said. "Athletes and certain majors, like social work and psychology can experience studying in another culture now, despite their demanding schedules."
Duleep Deosthale, assistant dean, international programs, said thedestinations will help the program.
"Right now we have students going to South Africa, Europe, China, Brazil, Portugal, Barbados, and various other places," Deosthale said. "These programs allow students to spend enough time in another culture to learn something substantial without giving up their entire summer or winter break."
Deosthale said that student interest in these programs has been high.
"When we decide where to establish these programs, we always take students' comments and recommendations into consideration," Deosthale said. "The China and Costa Rica programs are places we have noticed that students' curiosity levels are high. If I see that a program is feasible, than by all means, I do my best to create it."
Kimberly Beach, junior, studied in Cuba this past winter break.
"It is a beautiful country," said Beach. "I think my experience was interesting because it is such a unique culture and Cuba is different than I expected it to be. It made me want to go to other places, like South Africa. I am so jealous of the students going on that program."
Jessica Hovenstein, junior, is one of the students Beach envies. This summer she will be a part of the South Africa program.
"I cannot wait. To be honest, I cannot stop thinking about it (South Africa)," Hovenstein said. "I know it is going to be educational, but I also know it is going to be fun, too."
Hovenstein said she is looking foward to the course she will be taking while abroad.
"I am excited to take the elective The Economics of South Africa. Since I am a psych/special education major, I rarely have time to take electives."
This year over 320 students will have gone abroad. An impressive 128 of these students will have gone abroad with a short-term program. This is a large increase from the year before in which less than 200 students studied abroad, and only 36 took part in a short-term program.
"I think these shorter programs are much less intimidating to students than studying abroad for a whole semester," Deosthale said. "Previously students said, 'no way' to studying abroad. Now it's, 'let me think.'"
This semester, a record 127 students are abroad in various countries. In order to heed this increasing demand to study abroad, MAP has added more short-term programs to its impressive selection of destinations.
Jerre Thorton, MAP Coordinator, said this is the first year MAP offers all of these new programs.
"Now it is much easier for students that can not devote a whole semester to studying abroad to take part in the MAP programs," Thorton said. "Athletes and certain majors, like social work and psychology can experience studying in another culture now, despite their demanding schedules."
Duleep Deosthale, assistant dean, international programs, said thedestinations will help the program.
"Right now we have students going to South Africa, Europe, China, Brazil, Portugal, Barbados, and various other places," Deosthale said. "These programs allow students to spend enough time in another culture to learn something substantial without giving up their entire summer or winter break."
Deosthale said that student interest in these programs has been high.
"When we decide where to establish these programs, we always take students' comments and recommendations into consideration," Deosthale said. "The China and Costa Rica programs are places we have noticed that students' curiosity levels are high. If I see that a program is feasible, than by all means, I do my best to create it."
Kimberly Beach, junior, studied in Cuba this past winter break.
"It is a beautiful country," said Beach. "I think my experience was interesting because it is such a unique culture and Cuba is different than I expected it to be. It made me want to go to other places, like South Africa. I am so jealous of the students going on that program."
Jessica Hovenstein, junior, is one of the students Beach envies. This summer she will be a part of the South Africa program.
"I cannot wait. To be honest, I cannot stop thinking about it (South Africa)," Hovenstein said. "I know it is going to be educational, but I also know it is going to be fun, too."
Hovenstein said she is looking foward to the course she will be taking while abroad.
"I am excited to take the elective The Economics of South Africa. Since I am a psych/special education major, I rarely have time to take electives."
This year over 320 students will have gone abroad. An impressive 128 of these students will have gone abroad with a short-term program. This is a large increase from the year before in which less than 200 students studied abroad, and only 36 took part in a short-term program.
"I think these shorter programs are much less intimidating to students than studying abroad for a whole semester," Deosthale said. "Previously students said, 'no way' to studying abroad. Now it's, 'let me think.'"