Hands on Learning

Late last year I was invited to join our Geology Field Study students for their trip to Cyprus in the spring of 2019. Having just returned from that trip I have to say that it was an incredible experience for our students, and for myself. Beyond the geological sites that the students visited and interpreted (led by one of our amazing faculty, Dr. Jacob Napieralski), they were also exposed to Cyprus’s rich culture and history, including some time with the U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus and a trip through the UN Buffer zone that separates the Greek Cypriot side of the island from the Turkish Cypriot side of the island. As always, it was amazing to watch the growth in the sophistication and confidence of our students as they analyzed the sites they visited and as they navigated their way around a new cultural milieu. That the experience was transformational for the students is undeniable:

“As it was my first time traveling alone I was very nervous and unsure of how it’d end up. I’ve learned so much and I’m so grateful to you all for making it one of the most amazing and unforgettable experiences of my life.”

“I was so nervous but this was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!”

Comments such as these are typical as our students reflect upon their study abroad experiences and they speak to the power of immersing our students in High Impact Learning Practices like Study Abroad. I am so proud that CASL is able to provide such experiences for our students and to assist them in making travel of this sort affordable. I am also reminded of the commitment of our talented faculty to work closely with our students and to push them to do things they never knew that they could do. As I’ve indicated in any number of different forums, I am committed to ensuring that the college expand these opportunities for our students and that we do all that we can to make such experiences accessible and affordable. I look forward to sharing more stories from the global education front with you in the future.