Aeriel Niccum| Lindenlink Contributor

Nearly every Lindenwood student can have the chance to study abroad. Unbeknownst to many students, LU offers such an opportunity through its Study Abroad program.

Students have the option to travel to at least one of eight different countries offered during both semesters’ sessions, as well the J-term and summer sessions. Countries like Spain, Italy, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, England and Ireland are all available to students, depending upon the session they choose to travel abroad for their studies.

Many of the long term or semester trips are offered for majors only but short term trips during the J-term or summer sessions are available for both majors and non-majors.

One such short term trip is Italian Cinema, a two week trip to Rimini and Rome in Italy with Professor Peter Carlos. Students will, according to the flier, “travel to the seaside hometown of the famous film director Federico Fellini, in Rimini, Italy, and visit the locations where he gained his inspiration for his first films, and then travel to Rome, ‘The Eternal City,’ and study the films of Italian masters, Rossellini, De Sica, Visconti and Pasolini.” Students will also “Take a tour of the Italian film studio, Cinecitta, where Fellini shot some of his most famous films and Martin Scorsese shot ‘Gangs of New York’”, also according to the flier.

Concerning the trip, Carlos said, “It is a great experience for students to learn new cultures, to walk where these great people have made movies and for students to see the difference in American and Italian movies.”

Concerning the Study Abroad trip generally Carlos said, “It gives students a real global look and is something students need to do.”

Professor James Hutson, who is responsible for overseeing the short term trips, disclosed that he also thinks studying abroad is a must. “It’s almost necessary now,” Hutson said. “The job market is competitive. Studying abroad, especially for majors, means you are familiar with other cultures in your field and that gives you an edge.”

Hutson also shared that President Evans is looking to expand offerings for summer long programs in lieu of the potential changes to J-term no longer carrying three credit courses. The proposal for more summer offerings includes a tuition cut by roughly half from the approximate $1,200 to approximately $550. Scholarship proposals are also being considered but in the meantime, the Business Office is available to help students with finances.

Students interested in the Study Abroad program can find more information on the Lindenwood website under the Academics tab or follow the Study Abroad program on Facebook.