 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Study abroad program applications due by March 15
The Advocate
Mt. Hood Community College offers several study abroad opportunities for students interesting in learning a new language and culture — and the deadline for the Japan experience is next week.
Applications to a three-week conversational Japanese class that will be taught in Kyoto, Japan, are due March 15 and the class will begin June 29 at Ryukoku University.
Instructor Eric Tschuy said, “There are no requirements apart from paying fees and following all the procedures for program application and traveling abroad.”
Speaking of the value of foreign study, Study Abroad Coordinator Paul Eckhardt said, “The obvious thing is that students learn how to converse better if they’re going for language study. But they learn so much more.
“They learn that there’s more than one way of doing something,” he said.
“They learn that people see the world differently and they gain some insight into why this is. Many of their stereotypes they have been led to believe. They learn how to handle themselves in difficult circumstances. They make new friends. They may even gain insights into their own corner of the world by being away from it.”
When it comes to benefits, Tschuy said, “The biggest one is no doubt deepening the practical knowledge of a new language and being able to use it with fluency and confidence. Direct knowledge of a culture is another one, one that really cannot be learned in books.
“Self-confidence in traveling to different places and dealing with different kinds of people and situation is yet another important life skill that can be learned. Study abroad affects one at the gut level as well as intellectually and changes one for life. You gain a perspective on your own life and culture, with better appreciation of both its benefits and flaws. It can set you onto a new, unanticipated career course, create lifelong friendships and even lead you into life partnerships.”
A student applying for the program doesn’t need to be enrolled at MHCC prior to enrolling in the study abroad program, but the student must produce evidence that they have at least a 2.5 GPA from previous experiences.The minimum age for enrollment is 18 although students younger than 18 may petition for admission.
Eckhardt said, “There are no specific language requirements to go. A student needs to contact the program leader for a given year and fill out an application form, which usually requires a deposit.”
MHCC has eight programs they offer to students in Mexico, Japan, Italy, England and Costa Rica.
Students stay with families in Mexico and Germany, in hotels in Japan and in rented apartments in Italy and England.
Eckhardt said, “MHCC students can also study abroad by participating in one of several Oregon International Education Consortium programs. These opportunities for study abroad are handled by a consortium of local community colleges and are not limited to MHCC students.”
More information about the programs can be found on www.mhcc.edu/programs.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.
Comments