Europe Term: Communication (Fall 2011)

Courses | Accommodations | Program Dates | Cost | Next Steps/Contact

Highlights

• Intercultural communication focus
• Interaction with Christians from various backgrounds and nationalities
• Experience life in a Swiss village

Program Description

Europe Term is a semester long study experience based in Lugano, Switzerland, with excursions to Italy, Eastern Europe, and Germany. The program is led by Bethel faculty and utilizes an intercultural communication perspective to analyze communication and cultures of Europe. Students will live and study in a small, but cosmopolitan Swiss city, building relationships with individuals from all over the world. The program is sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies and is open to students of any major.

Courses

(15 credits total)

COM335Z Intercultural Communication (4 credits)
COM322 Advanced Group Communication (4 credits)
COM310K Communication Technology & Society (3 credits)
COM2xx Language & Culture Area Study (4 credits)

Accommodations & Meals

The program is based in Lugano, Switzerland, a beautiful alpine town located near the border of Italy and Switzerland.  Students will live in apartment-style accommodations near the center of the town.  As part of the cultural immersion, students will prepare a budget, then shop for food in the local shops to prepare meals together as a group.  At least one meal a day will be shared with other Bethel students in apartments or local eateries.

In addition to life in Lugano, students will travel to several featured cities of Europe.  Excursions will include long weekend excursions to Florence, Munich and Bavaria, Geneva, and one of the pearls of Eastern Europe – Prague.  Students will travel by train and be housed in various hostels, pensiones and hotels along the way.

Cost

Students pay a comprehensive fee equivalent to Bethel tuition, room (junior level) and full board, plus an additional travel fee of $2000 (to cover air and train travel). The cost will cover all program-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, food, ground transportation, excursions, entrance fees, language training, and miscellaneous costs. Costs not covered include passport, immunizations, books and supplies, discretionary expenses (such as bottled water, snack money, spending money, laundry money, etc.) independent excursions or sight seeing, all non-study related travel including weekends or fall break.  Most financial aid can be applied toward this study abroad experience.

Semester Calendar

The tentative program dates are September 1 – December 15, 2011, roughly coinciding with Bethel’s fall semester schedule.  Europe Term also includes a fall break during which students can travel independently throughout Europe.

* See below for pre-departure Important Dates *

Requirements

• Minimum sophomore standing
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• See application for additional policies

Next Steps

• Talk with your advisor – off-campus study should complement your field of study.
• Ask questions – feel free to contact the OIS for any additional information, or contact the Communication Department: Dr. Ripley Smith, Program Director   Office: HC327i  Email:  r-smith@bethel.edu
• Obtain an application from the OIS.

Important Dates

Applications include a $50 nonrefundable application fee.  A $250 confirmation deposit will be required two weeks after acceptance to hold the spot.

Dec 15	Application deadline
January	Notification of acceptance
February	Pre-departure meeting #1
March	Pre-departure meeting #2
April	Mandatory Study Abroad Orientation
August	Final program payment due with Fall 2011 bill
Sep 1	Tentative departure date
Dec 15	Tentative return date