TRAVEL STUDY

Each academic year Mid-Continent University offers students an optional travel study course.  This four-hour elective course includes class time and travel to a chosen location providing different culture and learning opportunities.  Travel varies to domestic and international locations.  The benefits of this educational opportunity outside the classroom are unique.  Students grow and expand in ways that can never be achieved in the confines of the regular classroom.  Student testimonials are inspirational about the overall experience and how much they learn. 

In January 2009, the students traveled to the Western Caribbean where the class focus was on international trade.  The travel began with a stop at the WWII Museum in New Orleans.  The students were sent by teams on a scavenger hunt that encouraged them to learn more about the reality of WWII.  From there, the students boarded the Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship.  The first stop was in Costa Maya, Mexico, where they were able to zip-line through the jungle. 

Next, they stopped in Santo Tomas, Guatemala.  It was unanimous among the students that this was the highlight of the trip.  They took a one hour boat ride to a small village where they painted a clinic and handed out supplies and toys to the children at a one room school.  For most of the students, this was the first mission work they had ever participated in.  One student was quoted saying, “I feel so good about what I did here.  Who would have thought I would have ever had the chance to be in Guatemala helping children in a village.  It’s the best thing I have ever done.”  Although the weather was rainy and windy, the students worked very hard and enjoyed every minute of it! 

The third stop was in Belize City, Belize.  The students had planned to go cave tubing, but because of the heavy amounts of rain, cave tubing was cancelled.  The students instead went to the Belize Zoo.  The zoo was comprised of native animals to Belize that had been rescued. 

The last stop on the trip was Cozumel, Mexico.  Here the students were able to enjoy a relaxing beach day.

Along with all the fun activities, the students met every day for devotion and class time.  At each stop on the trip, the students learned about the countries government and its major export products.  While on the trip, the students were to interview two people and ask them questions concerning the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) and WWII. These interviews would later help them write a paper required for course credit. 

Planning is in process for 2010 Travel Study.  Check back for more information.