University Communications and Marketing

MSU Billings students study abroad

Nearly 40 students travel abroad with faculty in May 2019

Contact:

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266
Office of International Studies, 657-1705

MSU BILLINGS NEWS—Nearly 40 Montana State University Billings students embarked on five faculty-led, study abroad programs during the month of May. These educational trips were organized through the Office of International Studies (OIS) at MSU Billings.

Students from MSUB traveled to Morocco, southern Europe (including Italy, Greece and Macedonia), Germany, Peru and Spain.

Those who traveled to Morocco learned about healthcare issues facing rural areas of the developing world. They had the opportunity to explore Marrakech, trek the High Atlas Mountains and work directly with locals to spread health awareness, while learning about the health challenges in rural Morocco.

In southern Europe, MSUB art students studied local history and art through their course, Art and Culture in Italy, Macedonia, and Greece. Students had the opportunity to explore the Venice Biennale and gain a first-person perspective on how artists communicate a global message from their local history.

Students who studied in Germany were given the unique opportunity to interview Syrian refugees and capture their stories in a storytelling project. They also attended multicultural communication workshops with MSUB’s partner school, the University of Applied Sciences in Aschaffenburg, and explored cultural sites throughout Bavaria.

In Peru, students focused on creative writing and local folklore in the Peruvian Amazon. They explored topics of local history, culture and the ongoing efforts of sustainability. Students also experienced firsthand the world’s greatest river system: the Amazon River.

The students who traveled to Spain studied with MSUB’s partner school, Letra Hispanica, in Salamanca, Spain. They were immersed in Spanish language and culture, building on the opportunity to increase their language abilities and cultural understanding.

“Study abroad has seen a participation increase of more than 40 percent at MSUB this past year, which is largely tied to faculty-led programming,” said Abby Cook, study abroad coordinator. “We are really encouraged by the high level of support these programs have received from MSUB’s administration, faculty leaders and the individual departments. We look forward to continue working with faculty to maintain this very positive momentum in 2020.”

Cook has encouraged faculty-led programs as a way to help internationalize MSUB’s curricula, reach more students and ease students toward future global opportunities, including full semester or year-long study abroad programs. With the support of a knowledgeable faculty member and their peers, students who participate in group programs are able to experience a new culture while earning credits through MSUB. The programs this summer spanned from two to three weeks.

The Office of International Studies is currently accepting faculty proposals for programs slated for summer of 2020. Proposals are due July 15, 2019.

For more information, call the OIS office at (406) 657-1705 or email studyabroad@msubillings.edu.

PHOTOS:

1) Art students started their study abroad with the Venice Biennale (pictured here), before traveling to Greece and Macedonia where they explored how art in those areas have been shaped by the local history and culture.

2) Spanish language students spent two weeks studying intensive Spanish in Salamanca, Spain. While there, they lived with local host families to enhance their immersion experience.