Study Abroad
Study abroad is an integral part of the identity of Central College and its goals are reflected in the mission statement and philosophy of the college. Students are actively encouraged to develop cross-cultural awareness and the ability to communicate as well as to understand, live and work in culturally diverse environments. The international education experience also strives to challenge students to understand empathetically, live cooperatively and act responsibly in a changing and intricately connected world. To accomplish these goals, Central College promotes study opportunities at 10 study abroad programs located on four different continents. Three of the programs are language immersion programs and the remaining seven are English-based. More than 9,000 students from Central and other colleges and universities have participated in Central College’s international programs over the past 40 years.
Central College abroad programs have distinct features. Its foreign language programs in Vienna, Austria; Paris, France; and Granada, Spain are designed for students wishing to immerse themselves in another language and culture while being involved in cross-cultural experiential learning. These programs are designed to accommodate students at any language proficiency level, from introductory to native speaker. In addition to language and literature courses, students may enroll in a variety of humanities, business and social science courses taught in the host country language. All of the language programs also offer either internship or service-learning opportunities for academic credit.
English-based programs are located in London and Colchester, England; Bangor, Wales; Leiden, the Netherlands; Mérida, Mexico; and Hangzhou, China. Students enrolled in the Wales program may choose to take a Welsh language course. Students in the Netherlands, China and Mexico have one required language course with the remaining courses taught in English. All of the programs place a continued emphasis on cross-cultural experiential learning, which includes internships and service-learning opportunities. With the exception of the Colchester program, each site has a resident program director to assist students in adapting to the new environment and educational system. The office of international programs at the University of Essex in Colchester, England assists students with their course work selection and registration, housing, advising and orientation.
All students, particularly those enrolled in the language study programs, are strongly encouraged to spend an academic year abroad. One-semester options with non-sequential course offerings are available for those unable to attend year-long programs.
More about Central's study abroad programs can be found at the study abroad Web site.
