Eckerd College’s Spring into Summer global learning program set to resume – News

“There are multiple ways to learn,” she adds. “Visit Hawaii, go on a [Native American] reservation, even parts of your own community. It’s good because when those students return and talk about where they went, they can bring more depth to the classroom conversations. They will not be sharing just selfies. A rising tide lifts all boats, right? ”

Kathryn Bastin, Ph.D., and Ashley Scheu, Ph.D., both assistant professors of French, are co-leading a Spring into Summer trip to Montpellier in the South of France with 19 Eckerd students. “We are so excited to offer this enriching cultural experience for our students in which they will learn about Southern French culture by attending French language immersion classes in the mornings, embark on cultural excursions in the afternoons and weekends, and live with French host families, Bastin explains.

“Cultural opportunities include crafting French pastries in a private baking workshop, exploring medieval Jewish baths, trekking through the prehistoric Clamouse Cave, and visiting a local winery for a wine tasting. We are absolutely thrilled to offer this unforgettable trip to our students. ”

At about the same time half a world away, Eckerd students will have an opportunity to experience Belize’s tropical rainforests firsthand by hiking, ziplining and paddling along rivers to observe the diverse plants and wildlife, while staying at jungle ecolodges that have sustainable practices, explains trip leader Nancy Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of marine science and biology. Following one week of rainforest exploration, students will explore coastal environments — including the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world, by snorkeling, kayaking and padding to better understand the complex biological interactions in mangrove, seagrass and reef environments. .

“These adventures also include an opportunity to spend three nights on an island run by a Garifuna family as part of a homestay program to learn about traditional Belizean life,” Smith adds.