NERON SIMPSON
Staff Writer
For college students, the daily routine of going to class and completing assignments becomes monotonous.
For this reason, some students consider studying abroad.
The opportunity to travel to another country to indulge in a chosen subject and a different culture can be refreshing, rewarding and even life-changing.
Students who are interested in geology, sustainability politics and the literature and history of Iceland may consider applying for the international education course INED 399: Magical Iceland. Scheduled for Summer 2024, the course is headed by Dr. Tom Hegna of the Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences and Dr. Ici Vanwesenbeeck of the Department of English.
In addition to students, campus faculty and local Fredonia community members are also encouraged to apply. Participants will embark on a cultural, artistic and scientific exploration of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, as well as explore the rest of the island’s striking natural features in the southern region.
For more information about the upcoming trip, feel free to email Hegna at Thomas.Hegna@fredonia.edu and Vanwesenbeeck at vanwesen@fredonia.edu.
Q+A with Dr. Hegna, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science and Dr. Vanwesenbeeck, Associate Professor in the Department of English
Neron Simpson (NS): How much does it cost the average student to study abroad?
Thomas Hegna (TH): The cost is in flux, but we estimate that it will be around $5000. This
will include airfare, lodging and transportation within Iceland.
Ici Vanwesenbeeck (IV): The cost depends on the number of credits, length of study, excursions, foreign currency rates, etc. That fee typically includes tuition, international travel, accommodation and excursions. There are some limited scholarship opportunities for students, and students can also work with the financial aid office to see what’s possible. In the case of Iceland, we urge all interested students to contact us in September for more information on the Iceland program cost for 2024.
NS: What are the benefits of studying abroad?
IV: There are different kinds of study abroad programs and each has its unique set of aspirations, goals and benefits. Ours is a three credit, short-term interdisciplinary one that broadly falls under what Jonathan Friedman and Cynthia Miller-Idriss call the cosmopolitan logic. What this means