Kristal Jones

Staff Writer

krijones@valdosta.edu

Tired of the long and boring lectures during summer school here at VSU?  Spice it up a bit with the study abroad program in the Czech Republic.
“It’s the most important thing a student can do,” said Michael Baun, Pizer Chair of International Relations and professor of political science. “I’ve talked to student guidance counselors, and they tell me that especially if you’re interested in an International career or any career in general, the two most important things to have on your resume are internships and study abroad.”
The trip takes off on May 14, 2009 during the Maymester term, lasting three weeks, and will return on June 6. That means anyone needing to take other courses, will be arriving back at VSU just in time for summer II.  Students will depart from Atlanta and make their way toward Palacky University, in the town of Olomouc, Czech Republic.  It is conveniently set in the center of Central Europe, bordering many major countries that are just a drive away.
The program requires students to attend classes four days a week, allowing the three day weekends for trips to famous cities.  The classes given are for sociology, political science, history or international studies credit and may add up to a maximum of six credit hours.  Unlike classes at VSU, these courses will actually be taught by Czech professors, giving students an even broader spectrum of learning.
During the weekends, the students will be taking trips to Krakow, Poland and Prague.  The Poland field trip in particular should be an unforgettable trip, because one of their stops will be to the historical Auschwitz and Birkenau death camps.
“Study abroad in particular, really broadens your perspective and gives you a chance to see the world, it also gives you a competitive edge especially if you’re a student from a small school in South Georgia [like VSU],” Dr. Baun said.
Mahja Zeon, a senior political science and business economics major said, “I would definitely encourage other students to take the Czech Republic trip.  If you enjoy history, politics and PIVO this trip is an experience of a lifetime.
Students will be experiencing culture, history, politics, economics and the beauty in Central Europe.  The major question is about the cost the trip.  The study abroad trip to Czech Republic is actually one of the cheapest trips to participate in at VSU.
The total cost of this Czech Republic experience will be $3,700.  That includes everything, from your round-trip airfare between Atlanta and Prague, all of your accommodations and lectures by Palacky University professors, to field trip transportations, tour admission fees and insurance.
That price does not include tuition, meals, passport or extra spending costs (it has been estimated to be about $800 more).  However, a plus side to doing a study abroad program is that it doesn’t exclude financial aid, so if you qualify for any grants or loans, you can apply that amount to this trip.
There will also be an optional trip available for students to attend.  The trip will be an extra weekend excursion by train to Budapest and spend two nights in a hotel or hostel.  While there, students will visit other historical sites that would make for an even more amazing experience.  Being that this trip is optional, unfortunately, it is not included within the total price. It’s estimated to be about an extra $300.
“My experience was beyond any expectation of mine,” Zeon said.  “I had so much fun. The professors on this trip made you feel so comfortable and allowed you to really study aboard (meaning they weren’t as strict and permitted you to go off and discover what Central Europe has to offer). Budapest and Vienna were extremely beautiful and the food was different but good!”
Anyone interested yet?
Zeon participated in the trip to Czech Republic during the past summer semester and has chosen this one compared to other programs for three personal reasons.  It would be beneficial to her passion for politics and policies that have an influence on people, since Central Europe is at the heart of where that kind of history lies.  She went to embrace the beauty and history of Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Poland.  Mahja also figured in the cost of the trip, which complimented her budget.
In case you might want a friend to join you on the trip, keep in mind that, he or she does not have to be a VSU student or even from Georgia, for that matter.  All the student will have to do is enroll in VSU as a transient student for Maymester and then simply follow the application steps thereafter.
The application and first installment of payment will be due by Feb 9 with an application fee.  The final payment will be due by March 9.  The trip only allows for 30 students to participate, so it will be determined on a first-come first-serve basis.
If you choose to participate in the Czech Republic program for Maymester, prepare to be introduced to a wonderfully cultured experience.