l |
|||
|
HOME | NEWS | FEATURES | A&E | OPINION | SPORTS | CLASSIFIEDS | WEATHER |
|||
|
News 'Hurst in Mexico
By Emily Grabowski Contributing writer Mercyhurst College prides its reputation as an international college. Every year, more and more international students travel hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles to study at the small, private institution. On top of the large numbers of international students, Mercyhurst offers a number of fantastic study abroad programs. Now, one more study abroad opportunity will be added to the list: the opportunity to spend a semester at the Universidad del Mayab in Merida, Mexico. Dr. Heidi Hosey, director of international education, along with associate professor Juan Argaez in the Walker School of Business, have been working together to get the exchange program with Mayab up and running. Hosey said the college had decided some time ago that it wanted to form consortium agreements with international colleges in order to give our students more and better opportunities to study abroad in ways that would ensure high academic quality and affordability. Hosey said consortiums allow colleges with similar missions and approaches to education to work together so that student exchanges are less complicated. "They allow colleges to communicate more easily about what they believe to be important in things like curriculum, values and service to the community." Hosey said. "And consortiums can lead to other kinds of cooperative arrangements, such as faculty exchanges or residency programs in which whole classes can be taken abroad and taught by faculty on-site." "Consortiums are not just abroad students studying abroad; they’re about colleges working together across borders for mutual benefit," she added. The idea came about due to Argaez being an alumnus of Mayab, having lived in Merida for quite some time. "He knew that they were interested in forming a relationship with a Catholic college in the United States with a mission like theirs (strong focus on service, commitment to making a difference in the world), so he put us in touch with them," Hosey said. Hoesy and Argazez are hoping to send two or three students to Mayab in the fall, and are encouraging that Mayab sends a couple to Mercyhurst. Students interested in participating are required to have at least an intermediate knowledge of Spanish, since the classes will all be taught in Spanish. Students live in either an apartment close to campus, or with host families. They are also expected to be able to afford the cost of transportation to and from campus, as well as paying housing costs to pay for their housing while they are in Mexico. "The cost of living in Mexico is pretty manageable though, and most students will find that they will end up paying about the same as they would if they were on campus, perhaps less," Hosey said. Sophomore Ian Michalski is one of the students who have been chosen to possibly become one of the first to participate in the program. Michalski is a double major in political science with an international relations concentration, and world languages with a Spanish concentration. Michalski is fluent in Spanish, so making the transition would be no problem for him. "I think it sounds like a great program. It is something that could really make Mercyhurst standout as an institution, and really enhance the college as a whole," Michalski said. Junior Marie Skidmore will not participate but thinks very highly of the program. "I think it’s a wonderful program," she said. "I wish there was one in Spain." Skidmore had the privilege of studying at the Universidad de Salamenca in Spain. The program is still in the planning and organizing phase, but students and faculty involved are very enthusiastic about it. "Students will likely be out of the country for close to four months; a terrific study abroad experience. It’s an amazing opportunity," Hosey said. Michalski is very excited about the opportunity presented to him, and thinks that it will not only benefit him academically, but will benefit both institutions as well. "I really think that as this relationship between the University of Mayab and Mercyhurst College grows, it will so beneficial for both institutions," he said. "To me what is most appealing about this opportunity is that it will not cost more than a normal term at Mercyhurst would and there is more assurance that the classes I take in Mexico will actually count for my studies at Mercyhurst." "And not to mention it is in a very beautiful setting on the Yucatan peninsula. If everything works out and I do go in the fall, I will be so excited to be the first Mercyhurst student to study at Mayab, and I will do everything I can to best represent Mercyhurst internationally," Michalski said. Any student interested in possibly participating in the exchange should contact Dr. Heidi Hosey to discuss it further.
|
What's inside Find the destinations Mercyhurst College Police and Safety responded to over the past week.
Check out this week's front page.
The events - in pictures - that occurred on the Mercyhurst College campus over the past week.
Blog with your favorite Merciad columnist.
The Merciad is always interested in feedback. Please submit all feedback to editormerciad.
Want to tell us what's on your mind? See news happening? Contact a reporter, columnist, or editor.
|
||
 |
|||