Home » Eastern Florida State College Study Abroad Trips Bring Courses to Life

Eastern Florida State College Study Abroad Trips Bring Courses to Life

By  //  October 15, 2015

Information Session set Oct. 20

Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them. (Eastern Florida image)
Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them. (Eastern Florida image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them.

Travel destinations in 2016 include Europe, Belize and Japan. In the summer of 2017, the Galapagos Islands will be added to the list.

Students earn transferable college credit while traveling and enjoy the benefits of pre-arranged tour packages. Those who don’t want to earn college credit can register with audit status, an option that older participants have taken advantage of as a way to see the world.

“Through Study Abroad in Europe, students earn three of their required six Humanities credits,” said Associate Professor Dorothy McCalla who leads the tour to Europe.

Students traveling to Europe must first enroll in the Study Abroad in the Humanities course, which runs from June 13 to Aug. 4, 2016. The course involves six weeks in the classroom and two weeks in Europe where participants will visit famous landmarks in England, France and Italy. The trip is scheduled from July 11 through July 20, 2016.

As a graduation gift to herself, Danielle Vaughn travelled with her Humanities class to Europe in the summer of 2010.

“It’s truly a great experience and the cheapest way to get there, even if you audit. Our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and we stayed in really nice hotels and saw a lot of backroad places,” said Vaughn.

Students interested in a more tropical climate can join the trip to Belize from May 24 through June 3, 2016.

They must first enroll in the Tropical Ecology course taught by Dr. Chris Petrie. Participating students earn four transferable college credits of Biology.

In Belize, students hike through forests, snorkel along reefs, explore tropical rainforests and visit ancient Mayan ruins, said Petrie.

Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them. (Eastern Florida image)
Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them. (Eastern Florida image)

Petrie will also lead a trip to Japan in December of 2016. Students going there must first enroll in the Ecology of Japan course and will earn three credits of either Biology or Chemistry.

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Their Japanese adventures will include exploring volcanic steam vents, the cultural connection of Japan to its island ecosystem, feudal Japanese castles and temples as well as visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Three-time Study Abroad traveler and zoology major Stanley Tipton will head to Japan to enjoy the cultural experience and see its unique plant and animal life.

“Travelling with Dr. Petrie is great because we do a lot of field work and he inspires independent thinking,” said Tipton.

A Tuesday, Oct. 20 Information Session is open to anyone. It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in Building 14, Room 104 on the EFSC Cocoa Campus.

Get more information about the upcoming Study Abroad trips by visiting the EFSC website ateasternflorida.edu/go/abroad

Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them. (Eastern Florida image)
Each year, Eastern Florida State College offers its Study Abroad Program, an exciting travel opportunity that allows students to learn outside the textbook and better understand the complex world around them. (Eastern Florida image)