Students in Rome, Italy
Photo Courtesy: The studysorrentosbu Instagram page
BY: ELIZABETH KAMROWSKI, NEWS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
St. Bonaventure University students have the opportunity to travel through some of the university’s study abroad programs, allowing them to experience new cultures while earning college credit.
The Francis E Kelley Oxford program takes place from June 28 to Aug. 9, 2024. The program is directed by Mike Jones-Kelley, a lecturer in the Jandoli School of Communication and Anne Lee, another lecturer in the Jandoli School, as associate director.
Although students take their classes at Trinity College, Jones-Kelley believes that students learn a lot while being off campus and exploring England.
“I say that most of the education that a student gets in the Oxford program takes place outside the Trinity college gate [and] not in the classrooms,” said Jones-Kelley. “Just the experience of being on your own in a foreign country and learning that you can survive and even thrive in another world.”
The 20 students heading to Oxford this year is the smallest group in a decade. Jones-Kelley said this low number will not negatively affect the experience.
“I think it will work fine. It will be a small group and probably more cohesive,” said Jones-Kelley.
Students are required to take one class at Oxford, but can take up to three which are part of the Bonaventure curriculum.
“Every course that is offered in Oxford for our students meets a requirement for graduation,” said Jones-Kelley.
Alice Robinson, a junior psychology major, is participating in the Oxford program this year. Robinson is looking forward to learning about English culture.
“I am definitely hoping to gain a wider understanding of the world,” said Robinson. “I am also excited to just explore and see what different cultures have to offer and their ideas or opinions on different world events to be the most open-minded person I can.”
Alva Cellini, professor of world languages and cultural studies, is the director of the study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain. This program will take place from May 23 to June 25, 2024.
Students will earn six credits in Spanish while in this program. To participate in this trip, students are required to have completed Spanish 102, the capstone of Bonaventure’s lowest-level spanish sequence.
“They are there to learn the language progressively, and to get the level of proficiency,” said Cellini. “They can speak to other people. They can communicate, and they can learn.”
Students who attend this trip live with selected Spanish families, unless traveling to excursions, where they stay in hotels. These excursions include Toledo, Segovia, Madrid, Portugal and historical sites.
“They are immersed 24/7 in the language,” said Cellini.
Maya Henderson, a senior political science major who attended this program in the past, said she enjoyed practicing the language.
“Since the classes [were] all in spanish, I [was] really excited to communicate with my peers and professors without an english crutch,” said Henderson. “I [thought] this [would] be paramount to my success learning the language and reaching fluency.”
The summer study in Sorrento, Italy is directed by Anna Bulszewicz, a lecturer in the Jandoli School of Communication. This trip will take place from June 30 to Aug. 3, 2024.
Bulszewicz said that this experience is a gift and an investment for students.
“Study abroad in Sorrento, Italy is one of the best gifts that a student can give themselves, one of the best investments,” said Bulszewicz. “It’s one of the places in the world where presence is still valued.”
For the first time, students will be working with a local business in Sorrento to create marketing plans.
“Students are really going to work in the community for the Italian people, leaving it better than they found it,” said Bulszewicz.
Kathryn Hennessey, a sophomore marketing major, is traveling to Sorrento this summer.
“I chose to be a part of this experience because I wanted to see the world and have new experiences,” said Hennessey.
Hennessey is hoping to find a new appreciation for life while living in Italy.
“Besides seeing new places and making new memories, from this experience I hope to just find a newfound appreciation for life and be present in every moment,” said Hennessey.
Bulszewicz said that she enjoys watching students immerse themselves in the Italian culture.
“What I would love for them is to embrace presence and immerse and live like an Italian for five weeks and watching them begin to do that is the joy of my trip.”
Hennessey is grateful to be given this experience to travel overseas.
“I’m very grateful to be in the position to be able to have this experience,” said Hennessey. “So I want to enjoy every moment to the fullest,” said Hennessey.
kamrowes23@bonaventure.edu
