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Contact:  Marlene Harlan, Director of Marketing and Summer Programs, Marlene.Harlan@wwu.edu or (360) 650-7221.                                                                                                    

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University is offering a variety of faculty-led travel programs this spring and summer to areas such as Costa Rica, Greece, Japan, India, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico and Canada.

Experience new cultural opportunities and immerse yourself in a solid academic environment. WWU’s travel programs are open to the public as well as WWU students with optional credits available. WWU faculty and staff will be available to discuss travel program options at the WWU International Opportunities Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday,  Jan. 21, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room on the WWU Campus.

Travel programs being offered this spring and summer include:

Costa Rica / March 20-29
Travel to the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica to investigate how rural farmers are using ecologically sound methods of growing food. Participants will learn from farmers firsthand on how they are reducing environmental impacts while producing food to keep up with the growing demand. Students will get a chance to apply principles of sustainability to understand the biodiversity and conservation in Costa Rica.

Art in Japan / June 16-July 7
This course offers an engaging study of traditional and contemporary Japanese art, culture and history. Participants will travel within several different regions of Japan, all rich in Japanese art and art inspirations, and view historical sites, galleries, studios and museums, including the Tokyo National Museum and Kyoto, the former capital of Japan for over a thousand years. The course will provide a unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on traditional tea ceremony.

Canada / June 20 – June 25
Experience Canada’s culture, history and environment in a 6-day trip to beautiful British Columbia, available for K-12 educators. Earn credits while exploring two of Canada’s most environmentally sustainable cities. Students will see the sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics, learn about the traditions of the country and the Olympics, and return home with valuable lesson plans.

Costa Rica / June 22-July 30
Journey to the rain forests of Costa Rica with WWU’s “Rainforest Immersion & Conservation Action” (RICA) program. Costa Rica is internationally known for its leadership in ecological conservation, its commitment to the environment, its beautiful beaches and its rich, high diversity forests. The three-course program includes field research experience, community service work, and ecotourism excursions.

Switzerland-Italy / Aug. 5-26
Study sustainable agriculture in Switzerland and Italy. The travel portion of the course will start in Switzerland for an intensive food production study of biodynamic agriculture and conservation. The second half of the course involves travel to Italy to examine food cultures and food consumption in society. Participants will visit local farms before and after the trip to preview and apply innovative farm practices, including a culminating seminar in Whatcom County, August 28-29 or September 11-12.

Ithaca, Greece / Aug. 28-Sept. 12
Travel to a small coastal village in Greece to explore Mediterranean architecture while doing hands-on research and planning for sustainable community development. Participants will develop skills in restorative sustainable design, research economic development and analyze the impacts of migration, while immersed in Greek culture. Participants will analyze material collected in the field and produce final planning documents during the post-travel segment of the course, September 20-30.

Athens, Greece / Aug. 31-Sept. 20
Study “Athens: Myth and History” from the Bronze Age (second millennium BC) through to the present day. Visit archaeological sites then trace the historical development of the city from the Acropolis through to the modern metropolis. This Classical Studies course offers a full immersion in Athenian prehistory and history, and explores Athens relation to the Mediterranean World and the Balkans as a whole. A required pre-travel course will take place in Bellingham, August 23-27.

India / Sept. 1-16
This travel course will explore international business topics and issues. Discover the rich and diverse history and culture of India while you learn how it has evolved from a third world economy to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Experience and learn cultural, economic, political and national differences in a diverse economy. Learn to apply business concepts to a foreign environment, including new business ventures and international entrepreneurship. A required pre-travel course will take place in Bellingham, August 3-12.

Applications for the WWU travel programs are available now. The travel programs accept a limited number of participants and prompt registration is encouraged to reserve your spot. Visit the Web for details at www.wwu.edu/travelprograms, e-mail summer.session@wwu.edu or call (360) 650-3308.

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