sealPurdue News
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January 17, 2002

Summer study abroad deadlines fast approaching

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue students planning to participate in university-sponsored overseas study programs during the upcoming summer sessions have until March 1 to turn in application materials. The application deadline for the London Internship Program is Feb. 1.

Jeff Sanson, assistant director for student services in the study abroad office, says interest in overseas study opportunities remains consistently high on the Purdue campus, even in the wake of the events of Sept. 11.

"The number of participants continues to climb every semester," Sanson says. "The safety of our students has always been a top priority of this program and it's no different now. It's just a little more on everyone's mind these days."

This summer there are opportunities to study abroad with Purdue-sponsored programs in London, Oxford and Cambridge, England; Galway, Ireland; Madrid, Spain; Martinique, French West Indies; Prague, Czech Republic; Florence, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland; and Athens, Greece. Purdue-administered programs run for 5-8 weeks and are taught overseas by Purdue and host country faculty. There also are 29 exchange and cosponsored programs in 17 countries that are accepting students for educational opportunities based on their major areas of study.

The Athens and Glasgow programs are new to the summer program lineup for 2002. The Athens program will be May 27 through July 6 and the first module will feature the study of classical mythology with Patrice Rankine, a professor of classical languages and literature. The second module will offer additional courses in Athens and on the island of Santorini. The program is open to all undergraduate students who have completed at least two full semesters of college.

The Glasgow program will run June 15 through July 18. It also is open to all undergraduates who have reached sophomore standing, but will be of special interest to those in the schools of Consumer and Family Sciences, Education and Liberal Arts.

Led by James Elicker and Susan Kontos of the Department of Child Development and Family Studies, students will have the opportunity to compare and contrast best practices in early childhood education and family support programs in the United States and the United Kingdom. Liberal arts courses emphasizing Scottish history, politics and literature also will be available.

"One of the values of experiencing another country and culture is the opportunity to see your own culture from a new perspective," Elicker says. "I think the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Scotland will be fascinating for our students."

Participants are enrolled as regular Purdue students while on university-administered and co-sponsored study abroad programs and are eligible for Purdue scholarships and financial aid, which may be applied to program fees. The Division of Financial Aid has written guidelines concerning financial aid and study abroad, and students are encouraged to investigate their options regardless of whether or not they are currently receiving financial aid.

The application form for all Purdue study abroad programs is available at the Programs for Study Abroad Office in Young Graduate House, or online at the program's Web site. Applicants also are asked to submit an essay, two letters of recommendation and an official transcript.

CONTACT: Jeff Sanson, (765) 494-0169, jjsanson@purdue.edu.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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