CLC students and faculty to embark on four international field study trips
During May, 50 College of Lake County students and faculty members will venture overseas on four different international field study courses.
"From learning to cook in Peru to exploring the culture of Japan, from playing jazz music in China to discovering the art, architecture and history of northern Italy and Croatia, these four CLC field study trips are designed to offer amazing and life-changing learning experiences," said Liliana Ware of the CLC Center for International Education. "CLC has a long history of providing a breadth of study abroad experiences at a reasonable cost and is known as a leader in international field study among American community colleges."
Peru: For the second time, culinary students and two faculty chefs will venture to Lima, Peru to study and practice Peruvian cooking and baking techniques. In addition to in-depth classes, the May 14 to June 1 trip includes local sight-seeing and a trip to the world-famous Machu Picchu Archaeological Park. Fifteen culinary students and Chefs Rob Wygant and William Vena will be hosted by Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola.
Japan: From May 14 to June 3, 11 CLC students will join 11 Joliet Junior College students for a field study trip to Ehime University in Matsuyama, Japan.
Dr. Patrick Gonder, CLC English and humanities instructor, will co-lead the trip, which will focus on Japanese culture and international films. CLC students will live in Ehime University dormitories and stay with local families. Aside from taking classes, students will visit the Hiroshima Peace Park and Peace Museum and the cities of Kyoto and Tokyo. As part of an exchange program that has been in place since 2012, a group of students from Ehime University will study at CLC this fall.
China: Four instrumental music students will visit China from May 17 to June 1 to perform jazz music at the American Culture Center at Xi'an International University (XAIU) and two other Chinese universities. The group will also visit famous historical and cultural sites such as Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and the Beijing Olympics Campus.
The jazz combo musicians are Sam Rivera, Jackson LoMastro, Andrew Casher and Joey Galea. The music director is Dr. Michael Flack, chair of the music department and conductor of CLC's Monday Night Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Combo. Dr. Timothy Murphy, political science instructor, is the grant manager.
Galea, a percussionist and graduate of Warren Township High School, said he's very excited about his first trip overseas to share American music. "Not only will I be in a completely new environment, all my preconceived notions as far as societal rules, etiquette and norms are going to be shattered as I traverse this new-to-me land. Going outside of my comfort zone is valuable as both a student and a musician," he said. "As a young student, I'm growing up and experiencing a very turbulent and dynamic world. The ultimate goal is to share what brings me peace, and that is the music I play and write. If I impact even one person, then I'll feel accomplished."
The China trip is sponsored by a U.S. Department of State American Cultural Centers grant. In 2012, CLC won a State department grant that established an American Culture Center at XAIU, the only community college selected. This is the fifth year that CLC faculty and students have presented and performed at the American Culture Centers (choir in 2013, art in 2014 and theatre and dance in 2015 and 2016). CLC's relationship with XAIU began in 2007 when the college established a semester-abroad program with funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
Europe: From May 14-28, 17 students of all ages will enjoy a guided field study trip to the Adriatic Sea, including Northern Italy and Croatia, led by experienced field study leaders, art and humanities professor Bob Lossmann and English/humanities professor Dr. Nick Schevera.
"I'm looking forward to the thrill and excitement on the students' faces when they ride in a gondola, taste real gelato in Venice, climb the city wall of Dubrovnik and wander through the ruins of Diocletian's Palace in Split," Schevera said. "Many of these students have never travelled internationally before, and I hope this experience will whet their appetite for future travel."
The trip's excursions and learning opportunities concentrate on the art, architecture and culture of Milan, Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Students will visit museums featuring major works by contemporary and Renaissance artists. The trip also includes cruises on Lake Como and the Adriatic Sea.
Visit CLC's Facebook page for photos taken by students and faculty participating in the field study trips.
CLC's Center for International Education facilitates global engagement and advances international education among students, faculty and staff through the support of international educational exchange, programs and services. The college won the Innovation in International Education Andrew Heiskell Award from the Institute of International Education, which outstanding initiatives conducted in international higher education by member universities and colleges.
During 2017-18, CLC students can choose from seven international field study trips, including Fall Semester in China and six different short-term trips in late spring/early summer: Italy (culinary); Japan; Switzerland, Netherlands and Germany; Iceland; Tanzania (service learning); and Costa Rica. For more information, contact Liliana Ware at lware@clcillinois.edu or (847) 543-2563.