WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Students at Missouri State University-West Plains can learn more about Puerto Rico and India during two short-term, study away opportunities scheduled for this summer.
Ana I. Estrella-Riollano, instructor of biology and biomedical sciences, will lead a group of students on a trip to Puerto Rico to study the Ecosystems of Puerto Rico (BIO 197), a three-credit-hour course, from June 12-19; and Dr. Rajiv Thakur, assistant professor of geosciences, will take students to India to study India: Encountering and Contesting Development (GRY 197), a three-credit-hour class, from July 9-24. Both classes are being planned through the Office of International Programs at Missouri State University in Springfield.
“Study away opportunities for students are increasingly popular on college campuses across the U.S., primarily because of their great educational impact in hands-on, at-the-site, experiential learning,” said Dean of Academic Affairs Dennis Lancaster. “Even short-term visits like these to India and Puerto Rico provide our students with experiences that bring their book-learning to life. With native expert guides like Dr. Thakur and Ms. Estrella, the students will certainly have a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget.”
Students who enroll in Ecosystems of Puerto Rico will learn about the biodiversity of this island, which is the smallest of the Greater Antilles and rich in natural resources and biodiversity, Estrella-Riollano said.
“As other sub-tropical regions, the Puerto Rican marine and terrestrial ecosystems are suffering the impacts of climate change, pollution, invasive species, habitat loss, and human population growth,” she explained. “Due to these factors, conservation and education programs have been developed all over the island to increase the awareness between citizens and visitors.”
Students will explore the marine and terrestrial habitats of Puerto Rico to gain a clear understanding of how those factors are affecting these systems, directly and indirectly, Estrella-Riollano said. In addition, they will visit and join two of the conservation programs to become aware of the importance of environmental protection, and they will experience cultural exchange while interacting with locals, especially with biology students from the University of Puerto Rico, she added.
Students should be prepared for long, rugged hikes and be able to swim. An ID and snorkeling equipment also are required, she said.
The program fee of $1,720 covers airfare, ground transportation in Puerto Rico, lodging, guides, the study away student fee, and basic medical insurance. It does not include meals, snorkeling equipment, admission fees, incidental/miscellaneous personal expenses and souvenirs, or class tuition.
Estrella-Riollano also reminded that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so no passport is required to visit the island.
Online applications are due by Feb. 20. A non-refundable deposit of $360 will be billed to student accounts. To apply, visit the university’s Study Away website at www.international.missouristate.edu/studyaway/; choose “Apply Now” then “Search for a Program” under “Apply for a Study Away Program”; choose “Simple Search” and type in “Puerto Rico” under program name, then select “Ecosystems of Puerto Rico” for the West Plains campus; then choose “Apply Now.”
For more information about this program, contact Estrella-Riollano at 417-255-7710 or AnaEstrellaRiollano@MissouriState.edu, or view this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0LeavNyWfk.
Students who enroll in India: Encountering and Contesting Development will visit the nation’s capital and second largest city in the world, New Delhi, as well as Agra, which houses the famous Taj Mahal. In addition, students will visit the cities of Jaipur, Leh, Imphal, Trivandrum and Kanya Kumari.
“Using an interdisciplinary approach, this course will help students gain a deeper understanding of the interacting dynamics of culture, gender, race and class; biophysical factors such as climate, population and natural resources; and economic and political processes – all of which have led to the present day changing of social inequalities in India,” Thakur said.
The course also will examine the powerful, but problematic, ways in which India is represented and the values which underpin these conceptions and images; explore how India is shaping and being shaped by global economic, political and cultural processes; look at the impact these have on people’s lives and identities, from consumption to homemaking, to work and local politics; assess the possibilities and limitations of development strategies, whether directed by the state, the market or non-governmental institutions; and finally, challenge existing ways of thinking about globalization, he said.
The cost of the trip is $4,500, not including class tuition, meals, transportation to and from Springfield-Branson National Airport, passport and visa. Those interested in enrolling should contact Thakur at RajivThakur@MissouriState.edu for more information. The application deadline is Feb. 1.
Both Estrella-Riollano and Thakur said community members could participate in their programs without taking the course. Those interested will need to pay the program fee in full through the Study Away storefront at www.international.missouristate.edu/studyaway/ before the program departs.
For more information about the trips, contact the instructors or visit the Missouri State University Study Away website, www.international.missouristate.edu/studyaway/.