<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>With a new

school year starting, the UNA Department of Foreign Languages is

ensuring that students have plenty of opportunities to broaden

their cultural horizons with study abroad programs in Peru, Paris,

Costa Rica and Spain.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>The programs,

which are designed to help students master languages and cultures,

also include plenty of tourism opportunities to see local landmarks

and popular excursion sites. Along with an immersive experience,

students who attend will receive college credit in some

cases.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>“Traveling

abroad gives you an increased global awareness and shows you that

other cultures are just as important and rich as your own,” said

associate professor Dr. Claudia Vance.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>The trips range

from $1,800 to $3,000 and include round-trip airfare, lodging with

a host family and a selection of meals and tuition. The trips can

range anywhere from a week-long spring break trip to a six-week

cultural immersion experience.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>While the trip

may seem pricey to some, scholarships are available to all UNA

students who are in good academic standing, have completed a

semester, have not received a previous scholarship for the same

purpose and plan on participating in the study abroad program. The

scholarship covers the travel costs of the trip up to

$800.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>While the Costa

Rica, Paris and Peru trips are no longer taking applications, the

department is still accepting applications for the Spain trip until

March. This trip includes two weekend excursions and a nine-day

tour where students will see the coffin of

Christopher Columbus, the inn where Don Quixote was knighted and a

Spanish bullfight as well as stay with local families and attend a

Spanish school.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>Global travel

is something that the foreign languages department is striving for

more of at UNA.

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>“Studying

abroad expands your world view and helps you see things beyond what

you’ve always seen,” said Dr. Scott Infanger, associate professor

at UNA. “A lot of students at UNA have never really left Alabama,

so experiences like this make them aware of more global

opportunities for work, fun and social life.”

<p class="no0020spacing" style=

“text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;”><span class=

“no0020spacingchar1”>For more

information on study abroad and travel opportunities, go to

www.una.edu/foreign-languages and click Travel-Study, or call

256-765-4390.