Study Abroad

Studying in another country can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a student's undergraduate career. Studying abroad will widen your horizons and provide you with new ways of thinking about the world as you experience a different culture.

Community College of Philadelphia has several study abroad opportunities for its students:

Study Tour of Mérida, México (March 2–9, 2013)
Looking for a unique way to spend your spring break? Join faculty and students on a noncredit study tour of ancient and contemporary Maya culture in and around Mérida, Mexico. Visit museums, ancient Maya cities and contemporary Maya villages, and spend one night in a resort in Cancun. The cost of this trip is only $950.00, which includes airfare and travel in Mexico, hotel, entrance to exotic sites and a number of meals. Contact tour leader Oscar Cabrera, ocabrera@ccp.edu, for more information. Space is limited, so submit your application soon. Applications are due December 15.

Mérida Application

2013 Student-Faculty Fellowship Programs: Belize and Peru
Community College of Philadelphia’s Center for International Understanding is offering three Student/Faculty International Fellowship Programs for 2013. This is an exciting opportunity to study a particular country and theme and then travel to the destination to experience directly the culture and contemporary society. All students applying are considered for travel scholarships.

Students in each group will take a one-credit course and travel with a team of experienced Community College of Philadelphia faculty. Final travel dates listed below may change slightly due to airfare availability.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Participation Requirements and Selection Criteria

Cuzco, Peru
May 18-June 2, 2013
Led by professors Christopher DiCapua, Spanish, and Mildred Savard, Latin American History, you will travel to the spectacular region of the Andes Mountains and earn three academic credits while studying Spanish in the old Inca capital city of Cuzco. Immerse yourself in this fascinating culture and practice your Spanish while living with a host family for two weeks. Join other College students, faculty and local experts while visiting several museums, attending folk music and dance shows, horseback riding and visiting the most iconic Inca archaeological sites, including the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required.

Program fee: $750 plus cost of a one-credit Interdisciplinary Studies course, passport, visa, any necessary inoculations and travel insurance.

For more details on this trip, please plan to attend an upcoming information session:

Belize, Central America
May 28–June 6, 2013
Led by professors Margaret Stephens, Environmental Conservation/Geography, and Randy Libros, Physics, you will explore the natural wonders of the tropics and earn academic credit in a field setting in Belize, Central America. Stay at a wildlife sanctuary as you learn about the landforms, geology and rich cultural history of the area. Paddle in tropic rivers, explore the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and hike the mountains with College faculty and local experts. Experience the cultural riches of the Creole, Maya, Mestizo and Garifuna peoples and see how the challenges of sustainable development, globalization and trade, fisheries, and forest management are being addressed.

Program fee: fee: $750 plus cost of a one-credit Interdisciplinary Studies course, passport, visa, any necessary inoculations and travel insurance.

For more details on this trip, please plan to attend an upcoming information session:

Thursday, January 31, 2013, 12:45–1:45 p.m., B2-26

Participation Requirements and Selection Criteria

1. To be eligible, students must have completed 12 credits of courses at Community College of Philadelphia by the end of fall 2012 be registered in spring 2013 courses at the College and be in “good standing.”
2. When the selection process is complete, the selected students must enroll in and pay tuition for the one-credit course, Interdisciplinary Studies 120: Introduction to a Study Abroad Site. IDS 120 will require approximately nine hours of pre- and post-departure meetings, which will be arranged by group leaders. Attendance is mandatory. In IDS 120, students will read, write and discuss materials to prepare for and reflect upon the study abroad experience.
3. Grants cover a large portion of each selected student’s travel expenses. Students awarded scholarships will be financially responsible for (a) Securing and paying for a passport and a visa. Each program will give students information regarding deadlines and the country’s visa requirements. (b) Travel insurance for approximately $120. Insurance will be secured by the College to insure that necessary coverage is uniform. Accepted students are expected to contribute to the dissemination of information about their study abroad experience.
4. Note that a $375 deposit by check or money order, made out to Community College of Philadelphia, must be submitted with initial application. Your payment will be returned to you if you are not selected. The application is due on Wednesday, February 6, 2013. Hardcopy applications must be submitted to Jackie Harvey in BR-21.
5. Interviews of the finalists will begin the week of February 11. Selected students will be notified by February 22. If you are selected, your balance of the program fee will be due not more than 10 days after you are notified of your selection.
6. After travel students will be expected to participate in presentations or panel discussions to share their study aboard experience with others in the College community.

Selection Criteria Among Eligible Applicants
A diverse group of students will be selected based on the following:

1. Academic performance in Community College of Philadelphia courses, including those being taken in spring 2013, as indicated by grades in courses. A current College transcript is required.
2. One College faculty written recommendation, unless the student has one of the lead faculty members as his or her teacher. Faculty recommendations must address the following: (a) The student’s interest in the target destination, intellectual curiosity and/or relevant personal/career goals, as well as markers of solid academic work. (b) The student’s reliability, as demonstrated through his/her activities, such as being prepared for class, attending class and getting assignments in on time. (c) The student’s ability to function abroad in a small group: getting along with the faculty leaders, other student participants and people he/she meets abroad.
3. Students must include a carefully written statement of 300–600 words explaining past coursework, reading and/or experience that led them to be interested in this particular opportunity, and how studying and visiting specifically Belize or Peru would further their personal or career goals.
4. Selected finalists will be contacted for an interview by a selection committee.