3/3/2004

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU STUDENTS STUDY IN COSTA RICA, BAHAMAS, ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN, IRELAND

OVER SPRING BREAK AS PART OF EXPANSIVE INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES PROGRAM

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –Is there any place better to oceanography than the Bahamas? Modern art, in Paris? Spanish civilization in Spain? Students at Slippery Rock University don’t think so and some 150 undergraduates will spend spring break studying in London, Paris, Dublin, Costa Rica, the Bahamas and Alcala, Spain.

“Our extensive international program allows students to spend the first part of spring semester engaged in traditional on-campus study, then use spring break to immerse themselves in the subject in an international setting. The program continues to draw increased student interest,” says Dr. Donald Kerchis, director of SRU’s Office of International Initiatives. Spring break runs March 8-13 (plus weekends).

           This year, the program will send students abroad to study everything from modern art to the latest in sport management concepts. Students will compare politics in London, study art in Paris, and an SRU Honors Program class will study “Great Books” in Alcala, Spain.

“Not only is this program beneficial from an educational viewpoint related to the specific course, it also provides students with international travel experience helping them build confidence and leadership skills. For many, this is their first visit outside the United States and learning about passports, foreign currency, new modes of transportation while gaining a better understanding of foreign cultures is a very important aspect of their rock-solid education,” Kerchis adds.

           “A course in oceanography being taught by Dr. Tamara Schiappa, in our geography, geology and the environment department, has drawn 15 students,” Kerchis says, adding the study abroad program in modern art will see 35 students spend time in the top Paris museums led by Dr. Kurt Pitluga, art historian at SRU.

The spring semester classes are in addition to study abroad programs that allow SRU students to spend an entire semester or an academic year at an international site. “Currently we have six students spending spring semester at the University of Alcala in Spain,” Kerchis says, adding a special trip for student government and organization leaders, led by Dr. Robert Watson, vice president for student life, offers 23 SRU students the chance to visit London and Paris and meet with fellow student leaders, then share ideas at problem-solving workshops.

Students enrolled in SRU’s “Care and Prevention of Fitness Related Injuries” course will be led by Dr. Susan Hannam, professor of exercise and rehabilitative sciences, that will give students the chance to learn about fitness and health facilities in Costa Rica, while students in Dr. Robin Ammon’s “Sport Facilities and Event Management” course, part of SRU’s sport management major, gives 19 students the chance to tour sports complexes for behind-the-scenes looks and lectures at facilities throughout Ireland.

Those taking Dr. Amy Walter’s “Communication Age” course will spend time at the British Broadcasting Corp., in London as well as CNN’s London office to hear from journalists about covering the European Common Market and other world events.

SRU international initiatives programs offers students the opportunity to study overseas in more than 25 countries, and students from nearly 60 countries come to study at SRU each year as a way of opening dialogue about other cultures on campus.                                                                                                    PN, PgN, WPN, PR, S 

SRU STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN SPRING STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS 

Course: Oceanography and

Environmental Problems - Bahamas

Dr. Tamra Schiappa

Dr. Jack Livingstone

Name                        Hometown

Brenton McCloskey                        Lickingville, PA

Jeffrey Jubach                        New Wilmington, PA

Jamie Pfadt                        Edinboro, PA

Danielle Fry                        Greenville, PA

Shawn Stobener                         Tarentum, PA

Brian Becker                        Evans City, PA

Richard Pribis                        Butler, PA

Lisa Kurian                        Bloomsburg, PA

Jade Sheetz                        Newmanstown, PA

Marie Maher                        Johnstown, PA

Daniel Ritter                        Russell, PA

Kelly Fields                        Stewartstown, PA

Matthew Domeier                        Littlestown, PA

Daniel Harris                        Knox, PA

Gregory Adams                        Kittanning, PA

Course:  Foundations of Modern Art - Paris

Dr. Kurt Pitluga

Name                        Hometown

Kelly Gibbs                        Meadville, PA

Roy Price                        Jeanette, PA

Christella Lans                        Grand Junction, CO

Spencer Scanlon                        West Sunbury, PA

Brett Dongell                        Cresson, PA

Christine Snively                        Latrobe, PA

Dawn Smith                        Stoneboro, PA

Ian Altenbaugh                        Glenshaw, PA

Kimberly Wolfe                        East Petersburg, PA

Derek Palladino                        Vandergrift, PA

Robert Myroniuk                        Bethel Park, PA

Parker Maynard                        Volant, PA

Carrie Moore                        Mercer, PA

Ryan Waltman                        Chicora, PA

Jennie Taylor                        Smethport, PA

Cathie Roscoe                        Valencia, PA

Natalie Petrouski                        East Vandergrift, PA

Michelle Cruikshank                        Sewickley, PA

James Price                        Allison Park, PA

Derek Marmo                        New Castle, PA

Seth Frey                        Kersey, PA

Mara Attisano                        Franklin, PA

Rebecca Yarian                        Grove City, PA

Katie Dickey                        Slippery Rock, PA

Nicholas Miller                        Glenmoore, PA

Laura Arnhold                        Grove City, PA

Allen Liebling                        Grove City, PA

Stephanie Brauner                        Palm, PA

Stephanie DeVincentis                        Hallstead, PA

Sarah Davis                        Beaver Falls, PA

Nathan Koorhan                        Ypsilanti, MI

Lydia Giese                        Butler, MI

Jenna Hershelman                        Erie, PA

Valerie Vernier                        New Castle, PA

Eric Schruers                        Slippery Rock, PA