Study Abroad Program

2016 – Study Abroad Scotland

Study Abroad Scotland 2016 was a partnership between Craven Community College in New Bern, NC and Robert Gordon University located in Aberdeen, Scotland.  Robert Gordon University has a heritage going back 250 years, with a range of degree courses include subjects as diverse as art and design.

Participants experienced Scottish culture, music, art, and history through a 14-day excursion based out of Aberdeen with a variety of day excursions to Edinburgh, Dundee, Stonehaven, St. Andrews, and Inverness. Sharing our diverse perspectives and observations enriches the in-country experience for all participants.

2015 – Language and Cultural Immersion Program Costa Rica

Study Abroad Costa Rica is a partnership between Craven CC in New Bern, NC and Immersion Abroad Costa Rica (IACR) located in Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica. ICAR specializes in customizable cultural immersion programs, higher education programs and professional development programs focusing on Costa Rican language, culture, history and ecology. Pre-trip work consisted of independent research on Costa Rican culture, history, ecology, and economy as part of HUM120: cultural studies during the spring semester. Students also participated in a study visit to Duke University’s CLACS and OTS to speak with expert researchers on Costa Rica’s environment and culture and meet the former ambassador to Costa Rica. Students also participated in a Spanish language workshop and orientation meetings prior to travel.

While in country, participants attended seminars on globalization in Latin America, the Tico healthcare system, educational system, environment (ecotourism and greenwashing) and traditional cuisine. Service projects abroad included a visiting a rural public school, teenage pregnancy center, and a language exchange with Tico college students. Participants attended several immersive Spanish language classes and resided with host-families where they practiced their Spanish skills and experienced Tico family culture first-hand. Participants traveled to the Poas Volcano, Laguna Botas, Chilamante Rainforest, and Braulio Carrillo National Park to learn about the flora and fauna of the region. The participants also visited El Toledo organic coffee farm to learn about sustainable agroforestry and permaculture.

2014 – Study Abroad Ireland

The Study Abroad Ireland 2014 program is an intensive global experience that encompasses pre-trip activities, fieldwork abroad, and a post-trip project. Pre-trip activities include: study sessions and assignments about a country’s culture, history, and ecology; guest lectures, a service project, and ongoing orientation meetings about the trip abroad.

Participants experienced Irish culture, music, art, and history through an 11-day excursion beginning in Dublin and then traveling west across the island to beautiful Bundoran. While abroad, each participant conducted an individual fieldwork project as part of their coursework in HUM 120: Cultural Studies in addition to the planned group learning experiences.

Study Abroad Ireland 2014 is a partnership between Craven Community College in New Bern, NC, and the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland in Bundoran, County Donegal, Western Ireland.

Activities at a Glance

2013 – Study Abroad Ecuador

In May of 2013, Craven Community College embarked on a two week cultural and ecological exploration of Ecuador. The Ecuador trip traveled to Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi, and the Cloud Forest. Our program abroad encompassed cultural, historical, and ecological experiences. Participants visited the Equator, the Casa de Cultura archeological museum, Cotopaxi National Park, and the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. We also visited neighboring towns learning about the rose export business, handicrafts made by local communities such as bread dough figurines and leather goods. We toured historic haciendas, churches, the presidential palace in Quito, and shopped in the Otovalo indigenous market.

Participants spent a week in Spanish immersion classes. The classes were held in the mornings from 8:30 am to 1 pm with a mid-morning break. The last day of class, our teachers took us to the fruit & vegetable market to tour and learn about indigenous foodways. We also worked with an afterschool program that focused on children from a low income neighborhood. The barrio had a high poverty, crime, and drug rate. The program helped keep the children off the streets and focused on helping with homework and teaching values to the students. We played their games, taught them American ones, worked on craft projects, and took they to the park in the city center to paddle boat. It was a wonderful service experience.

Each student participating in the trip chose a research topic and gathered information for a final project.

2012 – Study Abroad Peru

Craven Community College collaborated with Academia Latinoamericana de Espanol to create an experiential learning program where participants discovered the culture, history, and language of Peru. Twelve participants from Craven Community College traveled to Lima, Nazca, Cusco, & Puerto Maldonado, Peru in May of 2012. The trip provided a global classroom where participants studied the Ancient Inca culture, Spanish Colonial History, and modern & indigenous Peruvian culture.

Study included pre-trip research and workshops, in-country data collection & service project, and post-trip coursework that will result in a documentary film about the participants learning experience.