From sightseeing trips to Tiananmen Square and Italy, to cave rescue training and whitewater rafting, West Virginia Universitys two summer sessions offer a range of summer study plans that are everything but standard fare.
For example, the WVU College of Business and Economics is offering an international business class that includes a trip to China as part of its learning component.
Classes will meet at WVU for the first part of the semester, said Lynn Reinke, college relations director.
Then its off for seven days at Baoshan Steel Training Center in Shanghai, seven days at the Tianjin Economic Training Program, and two days in Beijing, she said.
While the six-credit class provides students important information on international business, including visits to Motorola and Ingersoll-Rand, there also will be time for sightseeing trips to Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.
Business students can opt for a trip to Jesolo, Italy, during either the first or second summer session as well.
During their stay, students will attend business classes taught by some of the best faculty from American universities, Reinke said.”Classes will emphasize the international learning environment and focus on current international events and trends. There also will be convenient rail connections from Venice that will allow weekend visits to locations in Italy, southern France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and many other Eastern European countries.”
Other overseas trips sponsored by the college include a 10-day excursion to Cuba to study the countrys history and economics.
The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences is sponsoring a range of non-traditional summer classes, including a trip to Katmandu.
“This course will apply field research techniques to study contemporary cultural and environmental changes in one of the most beautiful and fascinating regions of the earth,”said David Welsh, public relations specialist.
Other international expeditions are planned including stops to study the eco-tourism in the Peruvian Andes, Nepal and Central Russias Alti Mountains.
For those who prefer to study closer to home, the college offers in-state conservation classes, wilderness camps, whitewater rafting, cave rescue training and outdoor leadership and program planning courses .
“Summer classes at WVU are not only fun, but are great ways for students to get ahead in their studies and learn in a non-traditional atmosphere,”he said.”I am sure the students who participate in these programs will be pleased.”
WVUs comprehensive summer school programs offer more than 1,000 different classes over two sessions.
The first session begins May 23 and ends June 30. The second session starts July 3 and ends Aug. 10. The fall semester begins Aug. 21.
For more information on WVUs extensive summer school program, call 304-293-2124 or log on to http://www.arc.wvu.edu/courses/coursmain.htm .