Three Sartell students are studying abroad during the fall semester 2012 through the Office for Education Abroad at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, and St. John’s University, Collegeville.
Alexander Baxa, son of Diana and Donald Baxa, is studying in the Japan program. Baxa is a junior biochemistry major at SJU.
Allison Ley, daughter of Linda and Ray Ley, is studying in the Chile program. Ley is a junior social science major at CSB.
Nikki Orth, daughter of Holly Orth, is studying in the Greco-Roman program. Orth is a junior biology major at CSB.
The Japan program is hosted by Bunkyo Gakuin University, a collaborative partner of CSB and SJU for more than 20 years. Located in central Tokyo with a subway station at its front entrance, BGU is ideally situated for an urban study-abroad program. Courses are taught in English and include studies in culture, history, arts, politics, economics and Japanese language. The courses include day-program excursions to important Tokyo sites and extensive excursions that enhance the student’s learning experience, including trips to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Karuizawa and Nagano. Students stay in the International Student Dormitory adjacent to the Bunkyo campus. Jeffrey Kamakahi, associate professor of sociology at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2012.
The Chile program is hosted by Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, a private university located in Viña del Mar, a city of 350,000 residents. The campus is situated in central Chile, 70 miles west of Santiago, the country’s capital. Students are encouraged to advance their Spanish language skills and integrate into the rich and diverse culture through service learning opportunities and by living with Chilean host families. Marietta Franulic, adjunct instructor of Hispanic studies at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2012.
The Greco-Roman program gives students the opportunity to explore classical subjects of history, religion, art history and literature while living in modern-day Athens and Rome. While students are exposed to Greek and Italian language, courses are taught in English, both in the classroom and on historical and archaeological sites or in museums. The focus is based on a structured curriculum, always leaving room for the exploration of unique opportunities presented by the intellectual and cultural resources of Greece and Italy. Patricia Kent, instructor of music at CSB and SJU, is the director of the program for fall 2012.
The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are ranked No. 1 nationally among baccalaureate institutions with students who participate in mid-length study-abroad programs according to the annual report on international education, Open Doors 2012, published by the Institute of International Education. The two schools, which shared the top spot with Bucknell University, had 381 students study abroad on mid-length programs during the 2010-11 school year, the latest year measured by IIE.
CSB and SJU also received the 2012 Sen. Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization by NAFSA that recognizes schools for outstanding achievement in internationalization.
Before graduating, nearly 60 percent of CSB students and 46 percent of SJU students will participate in a study-abroad program. There are 19 semester-long programs administered by CSB and SJU, including 16 which are faculty-led, which are located in 15 countries on six continents.