The combined posters for Oxford, Sorrento, Spain and Greece
Image edited by Tucker Reilly
BY: TUCKER REILLY, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Summer study abroad programs at St. Bonaventure University are still accepting applications, with some room left for interested students. The programs cover a variety of places across the world; allowing students to work, study and explore a foreign country for up to six weeks.
The “2023 SBU Study Abroad Journey to Spain” program is led by professor of modern languages Dr. Alva Cellini. Centered in the town of Salamanca, the program focuses on integration through pairing students with local families. Participants in the program will study with students from across the world at the University of Salamanca, while also exploring parts of the Iberian Peninsula such as Madrid, Galicia and Segovia.
“Everything here is the whole package,” said Cellini. “The meals in Salmanca are with the family, we are immersed 24/7 in Spanish… and the students get really immersed in the culture and history.”
The “Study Abroad in Sorrento, Italy” program takes students further East in the Mediterranean region. Anna Bulszewicz, a lecturer at the Jandoli School of Communication and director of the program, described the unique experience of going overseas.
“My main pitch is that you can become a more globally minded human being. [The program] gives the opportunity of independence, which helps you become more positioned for your future in general. You’re truly plucked from all sorts of familiarity,” said Bulszewicz.
The oldest study abroad program at Bonaventure is Oxford, led by Jandoli School lecturers Michael Jones Kelley and Anne Lee. During this six-week experience, students take classes at Trinity College in Oxford. Lee emphasized the exclusive nature of the courses offered, many of which are taught by professionals in England.
“One of the courses we really push is the one that’s taught by Dr. Adam Ritchie, who is a world renowned researcher in HIV. He’s also the person who was the lead project manager to develop the AstraZeneca vaccination – Oxford University issued a statement last summer that he probably saved the lives of 60 million people,” said Lee. “He teaches a course, then, called Exploration of Infectious Diseases.”
Cost can often be a barrier for students considering studying abroad. Without including airfare, the Spain and Oxford programs have price tags of $7,250 and $7,000, respectively. These are long-form experiences, however: Sorrento and Spain are five weeks long, while Oxford is weeks weeks.
Bulszewicz acknowledged the monetary concern but emphasized the opportunity presented by studying abroad.
“I think the best way to describe it is as an investment that returns with more of a presence within, to help one navigate their future,” said Bulszewicz. “And beyond that, I’m a savvy shopper. I like to undersell and over-deliver for my students.”
Cellini compared the expense of living in a foreign country with the overall cost of the program. With the opportunities and credits offered, students could be sure that their money could be well worth the experience.
Some programs offered by Bonaventure take up a shorter length of time, such as “Intercultural Studies in Greece,” led by assistant professor of criminology Dr. Samantha Gavin. Despite the shorter time spent abroad (and lower price of $5,949 including airfare), Gavin stressed that immersing students in culture and history is forefront to the experience.
“Explaining the cultural experience is a key aspect to highlight for students,” said Gavin. “ The intercultural studies aspect occurs in learning about not only modern Greece, but ancient and mythological Greece as well, allowing students to obtain an understanding of how societal perspectives have changed over the centuries. In touring various cities in Greece and several of the Grecian Islands, students are able to gain knowledge on how the lifestyle and culture differs throughout Greece.”
Some study abroad programs select for certain students to join the experience: the Spain program requires applicants to pass Spanish 102 or demonstrate equivalency. Bulszewicz described selecting for personal qualities in applicants.
“If there’s a headline for this, it’s ‘I want people with good souls dancing to good soul music,’” said Bulszewicz. “I want a student who understands the concept of good teamwork and community. I look for a student with an ability to let loose and have a good time in the most professional way… But you also have to have self-respect because we are representing St. Bonaventure.”
The Sorrento program also includes a GA position working alongside Bulszewicz. Bulszewicz expressed that while the program is always looking for hard workers, there are also goals for those who can take that extra step up.
Lee also emphasized the community focus of a Bonaventure study abroad program.
“Our older daughter went to New York University’s London program in 2002 and she came to Oxford with Bonaventure in 2016. She told me, ‘NYU’s is great but when I look around and I see all of you, this is an experience that will last your lifetime. There might have been 90 of us [at NYU], there’s 30 of you. You build a community.’”
Each leader of a study abroad program highlighted the independence offered by the experience. While students would be guided through some tours and academics, they also have the freedom to explore and create experiences of their own.
“One night some students took a bus and they went to see a soccer game a couple towns over,” said Lee. “Then they found out that the bus back wasn’t leaving for another hour, so they found a bowling alley and they went bowling. They never expected to do that but that’s what’s important about living there.”
Cellini focused on exploring and understanding the country on one’s own terms. The program offers freedom and time because it is necessary for one to fully absorb the environment.
“We don’t do the one day trips because what can you see in one day? Nothing,” said Cellini. “You have to spend time, you have to digest all the history and all that you see.”
Information about Bonaventure study abroad programs is available on sbu.edu’s “Experiential Learning” page and the daily Notice Board. As of Thursday, all four programs still have spots available.
reillyt19@bonaventure.edu
