WSC Newscenter | Wayne State College Students Depart for a Semester in Greece

Twenty-two tri-state area students began an 11-week study abroad program in Greece this week under the sponsorship of a Wayne State College study abroad program. This is the third year Wayne State has sponsored the program during the spring semester.

The program is under the direction of Professors Gerald and Kathleen Conway, who accompany the students and provide lectures and study tours. Students came from five colleges and universities in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.

The group departed Eppley Airfield early morning March 13. Upon arriving in Athens, the group completed a 4-hour trip by bus to Volos where they will be based during the program. Students were given a first-day orientation including a tour of the city, the transportation systems and the local university in Volos. Wayne State has an agreement with University of Thessaly to access their library, computer labs, classrooms and cafeteria. University of Thessaly faculty will serve as guest lecturers.

Earning 12 credit hours through Wayne State College, most of the participating students use the credit for general studies requirements, but the credit can be tailored to fit into specific majors. While studying in Greece, students learn about Greek culture by living within it. Lectures, field trips, presentations and discussion groups address Greek history, mythology and geography, as well as Greek culture, including government, politics, economics, family, educations, religion and social issues. While in Greece, the students are introduced to the Greek language through coursework and immersion.

Along with the activities in Volos, the group with travel and tour Athens, Thessaloniki, Kavla, Skiathos Island, and Istanbul, Turkey. The group will take day trips to Meteora, Dimini, Sesklo, Makrinitsa, Kissos, and Tsagkarada. The group is scheduled to return home May 26.

You can follow their adventures in Greece at Wayne State's blog site: blogs.wsc.edu/greece2011/

Students involved in the trip (with hometowns and home institutions):
Rachel Bleeker, Sioux Center, Iowa; WSC
Stormy Buckley, Dakota City; WSC
Ross Carda, Crofton; WSC
Francys Chavez, Sioux City, Iowa; WSC
Kayla Clark, Broken Bow; WSC
Kelynn Cyr, Allen; WSC
Isaul DeAnda, South Sioux City; WSC
Shelbie DeBolt, Logan, Iowa; WSC
Chelsea French, Scribner; WSC
Nikki Garden, Norfolk; WSC
Chelsea Hayes, Lincoln; WSC
Dennis Herling, Clarkson; UNO
Phillip Luebbert, Lincoln; UNL
Megan Miller, Crofton; WSC
Alexie Mobley, Sioux City, Iowa; WSC
Shane Owens, Randolph; WSC
Kyleigh Parham, Tilden; WSC
Nickolas Pohlmann, Harrisburg, S.D.; SDSU
Cameron Sonnenfeld, Ravenna; WSC
Brittany Timperley, Blair; WSC
Joseph Whitt, Wayne; WSC
Brenda J. Yohnke, Ida Grove, Iowa; AIB