Indiana Wesleyan University has announced its first-ever study abroad opportunities designed specifically for students in its College of Adult and Professional Studies: a trip to China October 19-28 and a journey to Israel in March 2013.
IWU's residential campus in Marion has offered study abroad opportunities for many years now. The College of Adult and Professional Studies is partnering with Global Studies to create elective classes for both undergraduate and graduate students in some of the most significant international spots in 21st-century society.
For the China and Israel trips, both undergraduate and graduate students will take a three-credit political science course. Each nine-day trip includes plans to tour both American and international businesses, interact with international organizations, visits to various agencies and interact with host country nationals. They also plan to experience local culture, examine the religious and political systems in each country and visit historical landmarks.
Each trip costs $3500 beyond the three credit hours of tuition. Classes will start online, with a cultural competency orientation, beginning two months before the trip. The study abroad program is focused on adult and professional students, but students or alumni from any part of IWU are welcome to be a part of the trip, and they can received class credit for going along.
Dr. Josh Black, associate dean for the IWU School of Liberal Arts, says that the faculty and IWU adult and professional students have expressed strong interest for the study abroad opportunities. There are also plans for trips to South Africa and Czech Republic later on.
"In talking to some of our adult students...they feel this would be their only opportunity for being able to go to Israel or China or South Africa or Europe," Black said. "They'd be able to experience another culture firsthand and integrate more of the concepts they've been learning at the University into real life. This is consistent with our mission of developing our students into world changers."
For more information, contact Mary Guy at the IWU School of Liberal Arts at (765) 677-2343 or toll-free (800) 621-8667 or request information via email at matt.hall@indwes.edu.