Panama City or Cancun may come to mind when thinking of a typical travel destination during spring break. But, for students involved with the UTM Travel Study Program, spring break itineraries may have included visiting countries such as Spain or England or taking classes at the Université d’Orléans in France.

Travel studies coordinator Stan Sieber says that traveling abroad is a unique opportunity for students. “It broadens their educational experience,” Sieber says. Sieber recently coordinated four international and one domestic program that each traveled during spring break.

Each of the studies offer an education component that focuses on the history and culture of the area and most of the programs allow students to earn credit. “The classes that allow you to earn credit for the travel study will usually meet weekly prior to the departure,” Sieber explained.

Business students who traveled with Dr. Thomas Payne to London and Paris, even got the opportunity to take finance classes at the Université d’Orléans in France.

UTM senior Philip Rhodes was one of those that had the opportunity to spend his spring break at the French university. “I was amazed to learn that almost every student that we were in class with was at least bilingual,” Rhodes said. “The exposure to the culture of both London and Paris was just amazing!”

For some, the expenses for travel study opportunities can be daunting. But, as Rhodes experienced, there are ways to help pay for the trips. “I only had to spend $500 total and then I had to pay for a few meals. Everything else that I did and saw while on the trip was paid for,” Rhodes said.

Sieber explained that everything advertised with each one of the studies is included in the price. He also says that there is money out there to help students. “Some colleges may have grants available to students. There is also some money available for students through the Center of Global Studies,” Sieber explains. Rhodes and others on the trip were paid for because of a Title VI grant received by their college.

Sieber also encourages students to check with their dean or department chair to see if money is available for travel programs. When asked if he would recommend the travel study program to other students, Rhodes was insistent that everyone who can take advantage of the opportunity should. “It is a great experience that everyone should try. If it’s in your area of study, then by all means, do it,” Rhodes said.

The travel opportunities aren’t just open to students either. UTM has been involved in travel/study programs since the late 1960s and they have evolved to include faculty and area residents. Sieber recalls that people from as far away as Cleveland, Ohio have traveled with UTM.

For more information about the Travel/Study, visit the travel study Web site at www.utm.edu/~ssieber; contact Sieber at 731-587-7467 or ssieber@utm.edu. For information on Study-Abroad, contact Dr. Paul Crapo at paucrapo@utm.edu; or the Department of Modern Foreign Languages at 731-587-7420.