Have you always wanted to go to a foreign country, but with classes you don't have the time? Or fear you'll lose your financial aid money? Kean students don't worry; you have options. Going to another country such as the United Kingdom, Russia, France, or a Caribbean Island can be an enlightening and educational experience for anyone. Kean University has confidence in its' education, but also wants the students to be knowledgeable about the world. There is the TraveLearn program in which students go on a trip from 7 to 9 days with a faculty advisor and to see the world. Another program you may heard about is Study Abroad, which is slightly different. With Study Abroad, an individual student is granted the chance to go to a foreign country of their choice to study and they go alone. Typically students who have at least a 3.0 GPA will be considered for this program, but those with a lesser GPA can go after review.
Some areas TraveLearn has visited include London, Paris, Egypt, China, Peru, Costa Rica, France, Italy and more. The first department to start TraveLearn was Africana Studies more than 20 years ago. Since then, other departments have started organizing trips for students and the numbers have increased. Some instructors prefer to go to a place such as Paris, London, or South Africa which correlates with the course the student is taking. All TraveLearn trips do not have to be for credit, but many students opt to receive credit. For example, Africana Studies usually designs a course which examines an issue pertaining to people of the African Diaspora; and they have gone to places like Brazil, Cuba, and Egypt in the past, because these locations have a connection to people of African descent. Typically with courses taken for credit, during several days students gather enough information and experience to write a paper or do a presentation for credit on their trip. Students who fear losing their financial aid, should not worry. TraveLearn counts as a course, so if you went during Christmas, spring or summer break you can use any financial aid you would have for a regular course schedule. You simply have to pay the amount for the flight costs of course, but you will not pay any extra for taking the course.
"TraveLearn experiences are a good alternative for people who can't do study Abroad trips", said Alexandra Wood, Director of the Center for International Studies. Kean has a percentage of students who are returning students or have full time jobs or families, as well as students with a demanding schedule. TraveLearn programs grant students the opportunity to learn outside of Kean's walls and go to a foreign country. Recently, Kean was one of the first universities in the country to offer iStory. Educational Tours, which sponsors iStory provides students with laptops, iPods, digital cameras and other technology to assist them in capturing their full experience.
Students who have been on TraveLearn trips have enjoyed their experience. Tyrone Webb, senior Media and Film major, went to Paris last year. He stated, "My experience was good. I loved it. It was a good learning experience and to see their culture. The people, the transportation system, they are just like us".
The deadline for Peru, this year has ended, but there are several trips coming up in 2008. Just to mention a few are Dublin, Wales, India, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, South Africa and more. For the full list you can visit www.kean.edu and access the TraveLearn link on the home page. For questions pertaining for Study Abroad you can contact Donna Lowe Alexander, Assistant to the Director/Study Abroad Coordinator. You also can email any questions you have to cis@kean.edu or visit the office in Kean Hall 225.
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