Edited September 14, 2010
While many Doane students are settling back into old routines, others are preparing to pack their bags for interterm.
In addition to several on-campus courses, Doane also offers the unique opportunity of off-campus interterms. These courses are a combination of travel and educational opportunities, allowing students to earn college credits while traveling with Doane faculty and peers.
According to Kim Jarvis, interterm director, there are eight off-campus interterms currently available to students. Locations include Africa, India, Thailand, Peru, Costa Rica, Europe and the Caribbean. Courses are available either during the traditional January interterm or during the summer. The cost for the courses ranges from $2,400 to $4,299 but is subject to change. However, Doane offers a $1,000 travel scholarship can be applied to most courses.
Returning this year is the Teaching in Thailand course taught by Lyn Forester. During the course, students are given the opportunity to teach English to pre-school and middle-school-aged children while visiting historical sites. Although this course is limited to education majors, Jarvis said she advises anyone who is genuinely interested to talk with Forester.
Despite interest, some students struggle to make an off-campus interterm course fit into their schedule and budget. For senior Sarah Beasley, band trips have taken over her interterm opportunities. Other logistical issues can cause difficulties as well. For senior JaQuisha Gray, hopes of traveling to the Caribbean were complicated by an unforeseen passport issue. But while off-campus interterm classes can be intimidating, Jarvis insists it’s worth the hassle.
“Off-campus interterms offer students the opportunity to learning in an environment beyond the borders of what you are used to,” Jarvis said.
Jarvis said she also believes that developing international travel skills and broadening worldly perspective are benefits that make Doane interterms more than just a travel opportunity.
Jarvis said any student interested in off-campus interterms should apply for their passports in advance, discuss concerns with faculty, and plan ahead financially. She also recommends that students with remaining concerns should contact Doane’s International Programs Director, Jan Willems. Additionally, all students who are interested in off-campus interterms are encouraged to attend the Interterm Travel Fair in the spring.
For more information about Doane interterm opportunities, visit: http://www.doane.edu/Students/Academic_Info/interterm/
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