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Have you ever wanted to see the world or do something to broaden your horizons? Well, some Travel Studies this year might offer just that.
This year, UTM offers a variety of Travel Study Programs. This year's list includes trips as close to home as Washington, DC, and New Orleans, to as Far East as the Greek Isles and South Korea.
"Through the Center for International Education, UT Martin students have an opportunity to explore the world. We offer a diverse range of academic travel study and study abroad programs both domestic and international. The crossing of state and national borders offers them the chance to merge the local and global connections that all humans share," International Education Administrative Coordinator Lorrie Jackson said.
Students in need of financial aid can apply for the SGA scholarship. Each semester, students pay $5 into a travel study fund. This year, SGA scholarships will be as high as $250 for domestic and $500 for international travel study programs.
One of the travel studies is a trip to the national capital, Washington, DC. The trip is lead by Dr. Malcolm Koch, Director for International Education, and Dr. Sandra Koch, Interim Coordinator for International Studies. While there, students will visit various universities and think tanks that have an international focus.
"The trip to Washington is to give them [the students] exposure to international careers," Sandra Koch said.
This trip is the first DC Travel Study to have an international focus as well as visiting the Department of State and the Department of Defense.
"What I feel strongly about is that while I was a student, I was given great experiences, which showed the possibilities for an international career. We want to give this generation the same opportunity," Malcolm Koch said.
For those who you wanting an adventure or enjoy sports, the Greece Travel Study is the one for you.
"We are going to Greece, because of its contribution to the world of sport, in particular the Olympic Games. Greece has numerous opportunities for outdoor adventure sports, which is a burgeoning area in health, recreation and sport," said Scott Pun, instructor for Department of Health and Human Performance.
"While in Athens, we will be visiting the Acropolis and the Temple of Parthenon. We will also visit the marble stadium built for the first modern Olympic games in 1896," Pun said when asked what he and students will be doing. "We will take a ferry to the island of Santorini where we will hike, snorkel, and kayak the coastline."
Pun co-led the Brazilian Amazon Travel Study in January 2010. He also led domestic travel studies to Oregon and North California.
"In the future, I hope to lead a trip to Ecuador. I also will continue to lead active domestic trips to the west coast," Pun said.
"Greece… provides a uniquely different environment than what UTM students are accustomed to. It is a location that strikes a balance of adventure, culture and sport history that we wish to provide to our students to stimulate personal growth. In addition, it will give the opportunity to see Greece from a more adventurous perspective and promises to be exciting and active," Pun said.
There is also a trip to South Korea. Students will spend ten days in Soul and Busan South Korea and will visit sites such as the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Fila sportswear headquarters, and other places that have significance to sports.
The travel study is open to anyone and is lead by Assistance Sports management professor Dr. J.C. Kim.
"This is my third time to open the South Korean Travel Study," Kim said.
Students will be staying with host families for most of their time there. Students are taught basic Korean phrases before their arrival.
"[It's] very important," Kim said about the travel study.
The program is held every summer either in May or June.
"I want this program to continue," Kim said.
For more information on these travel studies, contact Koch at mkoch@utm.edu, Pun at spun@utm.edu or Kim at jkim@utm.edu.
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