Study abroad opportunities offer chance to get more from education

For students who want a little more from their education, study abroad trips may be the right fit. Studying abroad offers students a look into the life and culture of another country while taking classes and earning course credit.One study abroad trip coming up is a trip to Italy led by Professor Mark Ludorf. This trip will offer course credit for Psychology 420- The Mediterranean Influences on the History and Systems of Psychology. It is unique because, according to Ludorf, it is the first study abroad trip led by a faculty member during a traditional semester. Ludorf will lead students through Italy Spring 2011 and again Maymester 2011.

The spring trip will be ten weeks long. It is open to any student. Students will have to do an interview with Ludorf. He says he is looking for the students that will benefit the most. Ludorf wants to take students who are willing to learn and want to get a new outlook on a subject. Ludorf describes study abroad trips as seeing things from a different perspective.So, Ludorf wants students that are open to new experiences, responsible, and culturally aware.Ludorf is also looking for students that are flexible. According to Ludorf, students who are flexible will do the best. Especially in Italy, where workers on strike can alter the plans of your trip. Ludorf also stresses that students who don't mind walking are best for the trip because it is necessary to walk a lot in Europe. With all of the walking, he encourages those who go to pack light. It is difficult to lug a big suitcase around Italy on the trains and across cobblestone streets. To prepare those going for this, Ludorf has students pack their bags and walk them around downtown Nacogdoches to get a feel for what they will be doing in Italy.

This course teaches students about the beginnings of psychology and knowledge. Students will explore Venice, Florence, and Rome, learning about the beginning of Western knowledge. Because this course studies the root of learned societies, it may interest a wide variety of students.Students will read and discuss in the classroom and then go out and discover and explore what they read about in the museums and on the streets of these major Italian cities. One aspect of the course is the study of Galileo and his influence on Western knowledge. While studying in the various Italian cities, students will track Galileo's life. Including, a role play of Galileo's trial taking place where he was held.

One thing most students are worried about usually with study abroad trips is the cost. Ludorf encourages students not to worry about the cost of the trip when looking for one to go on. He says to look for trips that best fit your degree plan and interests. However, Ludorf's Italy study abroad trip is comparably cheaper than many trips. This is because Ludorf pays his own expenses. Also, he does a lot of the work himself. He finds the apartments the students stay in and does a lot of the planning. The cost of the trip includes everything but food and souvenirs.
Students interested in this trip can contact Professor Mark Ludorf in the psychology department. He has created a wiki with all of the information about the course and the trip. Intersted students will be invited to join the wiki.Ludorf encourages students to study abroad, whether it is with his trip or another, saying It changes students in a way they don't even know about.