BRITISH ISLES 2004 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION
Photos from the Program can be viewed here.
OVERVIEW
LOCATION
The program visited four sites, sampling the two country's great diversity. The first is Liverpool and the industrial revolution heartland, located in northwestern England. Here we will visit the industrial centers of Liverpool (birthplace of the Beatles) and Manchester, the beautiful and poetic Lake District (including a hike atop Scafell, England's highest peak), and the Dales District of Yorkshire, renowned for its moors, villages, and beautiful countryside. Next, we visit the delightful town of Aberystwyth, located in the cultural heartland of Wales. Using Aberystwyth as a base, we'll visit Snowdonia National Park and hike to the top of Snowdon, Wales's highest mountain, visit Devil's Gorge, experience the industrial revolution in Ironbridge, and explore the Welsh language heart of Bala and Llangollen.
Next, we'll journey north to Corpach, Ft. William, on the shores of Loch Linhe, and spend several days exploring the Scottish highlands, including Loch Ness (monster not guaranteed), the Isle of Skye, and other spectacular regions of Scotland.
The final site is Ireland, including Belfast in Northern Ireland, and several towns and cities in the heartland of the Irish Republic, using Limerick as a base.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The British Isles program ran for four weeks. The first stop was Liverpool, England. Here students stayed for 7 nights and were introduced to the British Isles and the social and physical environment of the surrounding local area. Students received instruction in "survival" British and basic skills for interacting with British culture. Excursions were taken to Liverpool (birthplace of the Beatles), Manchester, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales. Next, we visited Aberystwyth in Wales and spent six nights there. Several local trips included a steam train ride to Devil's Gorge, a hike in Snowdonia National Park, and a visit to Bala and Llangollen in the heart of the welsh-speaking culture. Next, the group traveled to the Scottish Highlands for a 6-night stay in Corpach, near Fort William. In northern Scotland, students study the physical and environmental conditions of highland life. A visit to Oban, the Isle of Skye, and Loch Ness completed our introduction to the highlands. The group then departed from Troon Harbor for a ferry ride across the Irish Sea to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Two nights in Belfast were followed by 5 nights in Limerick, in central western Ireland, with visits to several classic Irish landscapes (including the Dingle Peninsula, Cobh, Kinsale, and Galway.
DATES
The program ran from June 1, 2004, until June 29, 2004. Nashville was the city of departure for the group. An itinerary is available for viewing.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Students stayed in small hotels (double or triple occupancy), University dormitories, or dormitory-style Bed and Breakfast facilities during the program. Some hotels had private bathrooms and other facilities. All accommodations (except Belfast) had breakfast available.
COSTS
The total cost of the 2004
British Isles Program was US$3,200.00 This covers all transportation (Nashville-Nashville),
excursions, and housing costs, including all breakfasts, but DOES NOT include tuition or other meals:
INCLUDED:
** Round-trip airfare Nashville-Manchester-Nashville (via Atlanta, GA);
** All travel inside the British Isles, including airport transfers, accommodation, and breakfast;
** All ground and river transport for planned excursions;
** International Student Identity Card;
NOT INCLUDED:
** Summer tuition (3 hours) (Students may enroll for an additional 3 hours of independent study in Spring or Fall 2004);
** Individual personal spending money and other meals (a scholarship was provided each student to cover food costs);
** Textbooks;
** Passport fees. View Passport information online.;
** Transportation from your home to Nashville and return from Nashville to your home;
** Health insurance (coverage is MANDATORY for the British Isles program):
** Inoculations. None are offically required. However, participants should call their
local Public Health Department, family doctor, or Center
for Disease Control in Atlanta
to determine what inoculations are recommended.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM OFFERINGS
Geog 469/469G -- Geography of the British Isles.
** Analysis of the cultural and physical landscapes of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Topics included cultural frameworks, transportation and tourism, environmental degradation, agricultural and urban impacts, regional imbalances, physical landscapes, and the impacts of globalization. This course can be used for a
variety of General Studies/Major/Minor requirements. Graduate Status is required for enrollment in GEOG 469G.
Geog 100 -- Physical Geography.
** The emphasis of this course was on the basic elements of physical geography (earth, wind, and fire), weather elements, geomorphology, and how people interact with their physical environment. Student analyzed local and regional variations in the physical elements and presented ideas on how the local people have adapted to create their own "sense of place." This course can be used for General Education Category D credit.
Geog 101 -- Introduction to Human Geography.
The emphasis of this course was on the fundamental principles of human geography, with political, cultural, transportation, language, and how people interact with the human-built landscapes. Student analyzed local and regional variations in the cultural landscapes and presented ideas on how the local people have adapted to create their own "sense of place." This course can be used for General Education Category C credit.
Geog 475/510 -- Directed Studies. Students MUST develop a project outline BEFORE departing
for the British Isles. Please contact Professor Debbie Kreitzer for specific details of this
NOTE: Graduate standing is required for 469G/500-level courses
ABOUT THE FACULTY
The British Isles program directors were
Debbie Kreitzer, who teaches cultural and environmental geography at Western Kentucky University, and Will Blackburn, who teaches physical and environmental geography at Western Kentucky University (Glasgow campus).
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications were due NO LATER than February 28, 2004. An application fee of $500 MUST accompany your application. The Program may impose a $100 late processing fee on
applications received after the above date. A second deposit of $500 was due by April 10, 2004, and final payment was due by May 10, 2004, or sooner.
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This page last updated on 7/2/04.