Blog #4: Eurospring

Gain Credits While Expanding Your Horizons On Life In Europe

Trade BSU Classrooms for An Oxford Dorm

During the spring semester here at Bemidji State University, students get the opportunity to see the world and earn credits. Eurospring is an overseas study program that allows students to attend class and also see the world’s sights. Wycliffe residence Hall in Oxford, England, will host our students and Minnesota State University Moorhead students for five before sending them to continental Europe for their life experience.

View from Rhine Cruise

Take from http://bsueurospring09.blogspot.com/

Traveling to Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Orvieto, Rome, Venice, Salzburg, Munich, Dachau, Nuremburg and Heidelberg these students will broaden their perspective on life as we know it, experience different cultures, languages, economic perspectives and learn how everything is done on a different level. As one BSU student said, “It will change your life. Every inch of this trip is worth everything you are leaving behind here in the States.”

WyCliffe Hall, Oxford

Taken from Google Images, Eurospring search

Associate Prof., David Smith, of the Business Administration department, will be this year’s BSU’s Academic Director “Many people think it is a lot of money, but the qualities that you will gain out of this experience are astronomical.”  He said, “Dr. Chapman is a genius and will teach you so many vital things that will broaden your perspective on life.” He wishes every student had this opportunity.

According to the BSU Web site, the cost of this year’s program is approximately $7,000; however, that includes transportation, room and board and all other costs except for personal spending money. BSU Journalism Prof. Louise Mengelkoch, who has directed the trip a number of times, pointed out that you could never do such a two-month trip to Europe on your own for that price. “Also,” she said, “your semester is only two months long when you’re on Eurospring. You can work to save up spending money until mid-March when you leave.” This is not your typical day of class here at BSU. The cost of this would be about $115 a day; this is what the $7,000 is used for. You will also need money for personal spending.

In order for you to be a participant on this trip you must have at least a 2.0 GPA, and have your entire freshman credits completed. Along with getting your tour of Europe and England you will obtain knowledge from courses that are given at the campus at Oxford. These courses include Influential Women in the Middle Ages; Politics and Law in Medieval Europe; Science, Alchemy, and Invention; The Knights of King Arthur; Romance East and West; Art and Architecture; and Music and Culture.

Being able to have this experience under your belt as a graduate from a highly established University such as Bemidji would be something to be proud of when you write out a resume.  Finishing your fall semester in the beginning of December you would have some time to think a little about your decision. Leaving in the middle of March there is time to work or to get all your things situated in your own life for your travels. One of the employee’s at the admissions office said, “This would be a huge advantage because you could work more and earn money for your trip, since you need some extra money for personal spending.”

While on Eurospring, you will enjoy viewing performances, museums and get to see artifacts such as the Stonehenge. Having this on your dossier would look pretty impressive to certain employers. Not only are you gaining credits for college but you are gaining a life experience that you could never find anywhere else. Once you look over the brochure and Web site, they will show you everything you need to know and give you the perfect outlook on this experience.