Study away trips take students to Ireland, Puerto Rico - News

LOUGH LEANNE, or “Lake of Learning,” along the Ring of Kerry in Ireland provided a picturesque backdrop for this group photo of students and Director Alex Pinnon of the Missouri State-West Plains Darr Honors Program. The Ring of Kerry is a 179-kilometer tourist route through the Irish countryside that gives visitors panoramic views of the country’s coast and lakes. Front row from left are Ashton Garner, West Plains; Pinnon; and Sam McLean, West Plains. Second row: Morgan Kinder and Emily Schilmoeller, both of West Plains; and Nick Martin, Thayer. Back row: Kayla Harris, Seymour; Mallory Kjar, Springfield; Shelby Harris, Dora; Mike Driscoll, Brandsville; and Kara Cook, West Plains. (Photo courtesy Alex Pinnon)

SIX STUDENTS from the Missouri State University campuses in West Plains and Springfield traveled with Missouri State-West Plains Biology/Biomedical Sciences Instructor Ana I. Estrella-Riollano to Puerto Rico June 12-19 to study the various ecosystems of this island territory of the United States and how climate change, invasive species and human population growth are affecting them. Above, members of the group show their excitement while visiting the Guanica Dry Forest. Seated is Missouri State-Springfield student Caleb Lorenzino, Springfield, and standing are, from left, Missouri State-West Plains students Hannah Nielsen, West Plains, Natalie Lombardi, Plato, and Karissa Surface, West Plains; Estrella-Riollano; and Missouri State-Springfield students Morgan Whitaker and Shelby Whitaker, both of Cuba, Mo. (Photo courtesy Ana I. Estrella-Riollano)

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Several students at Missouri State University-West Plains recently embarked on short study away trips to Ireland and Puerto Rico in an effort to gain a better understanding of material they studied in class, as well as the unique culture these locations offered.

Alex Pinnon, director of the William and Virginia Darr Honors Program, traveled with 12 students to Ireland May 18-26, where they visited Dublin, Killarney, Cork and Kinsale and visited such sites as Blarney Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College and the Ring of Kerry.

“We learned about the history of oppression and the victory of the Irish people,” Pinnon said. “We had guided tours that detailed the events of the 1916 uprising, the potato famine, medieval struggles and cultural history. Ireland shares a close bond with the United States and our culture of fortitude.

“The students, on their own, climbed the face of Bray Head, discovered new foods and even ventured into Irish dancing,” he continued. “Our tour director, the president of the historical society in Dublin, educated the group over contemporary and historical political struggles that gave the history of Ireland and America a new context. It also is important to note that, while we were visiting, the students were quite enthused to be part of global history when the Irish, by public referendum, passed marriage equality rights.”

Ana Estrella-Riollano, instructor of biology and biomedical sciences, took six students – three from Missouri State-West Plains and three from Missouri State University-Springfield – to Puerto Rico June 12-19 to learn about the biodiversity of this island territory of the United States, which is the smallest of the Greater Antilles and rich in natural resources and biodiversity. While there, they visited such locations as Old San Juan, the El Unique rain forest, Camuy River Caverns, the Rio Abajo forest, the La Parguera Coral Reefs and Bioluminescent Bay, and the Guanica Dry Forest.

“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 explored the marine and terrestrial habitats of Puerto Rico to gain a clear understanding of these factors are affecting the ecoystems directly and indirectly. In addition, they visited and joined two of the conservation programs to become better aware of the importance of environmental protection. They also experienced cultural exchange while interacting with locals, especially with biology students from the University of Puerto Rico, she said.

Another group of students will leave July 9 for a two-week tour of India under the direction of Dr. Rajiv Thakur, assistant professor of geosciences. While there, they will visit such cities as New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Leh, Imphal, Trivandrum and Kanya Kumari and learn how the interacting dynamics of culture, gender, race, class, climate, population, natural resources, and economic and political processes have impacted one of the most populous nations in the world.

University officials pointed out study away trips such as these are becoming increasingly popular with students, primarily because of their great educational impact in hands-on, at-the-site, experiential learning. For more information about these and other study away opportunities, visit the Missouri State-West Plains website, www.wp.missouristate.edu/StudyAway/.