WKU News

The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA) recently wrapped up its first set of study abroad programs at WKU, including three winter programs: London Winter, London Arts and London-Dublin.

More than 200 students completed 16 courses taught by faculty from seven CCSA member schools. The two London programs started on Dec. 26 with the two weeks spent in London and the surrounding areas. The London-Dublin program also started in London on Dec. 26, then moved to Dublin on Jan. 3.

CCSA is a nonprofit consortium that develops, plans and coordinates study abroad programs in predominantly English-speaking countries. WKU became the Host Institution in August 2014 and provides support and infrastructure for administrative activities essential for the day-do-day operations of CCSA.

Dr. Scott Boyd, professor of theatre from Middle Tennessee State University, taught Beyond the Footlights: Theatrical Tradition in Britain in the London Arts program.

“The hands on, experiential learning allowed my traditional lectures to take on a fully realized meaning,” said Dr. Boyd, adding that teaching with CCSA takes much more preparation and confidence, but the reward is so much greater.

Dr. Lorraine Bormann, assistant professor in WKU’s School of Nursing, taught a study abroad course for the first time on the London-Dublin program. In her course Challenge, Change and Innovate: Thinking Outside the ‘Long Term Healthcare’ Box in London & Dublin, she found that the activities contributed to her learning goals cannot be replicated in the traditional classroom. “I look forward to more study abroad experiences,” she added.

Haleigh Petty, a senior medical laboratory science major from Austin Peay State University, took Harry Potter on the Page & on the Screen taught by Dr. John Alberti from Northern Kentucky University. She found that CCSA programs are a chance to experience a whole new culture with new people. She explored London, soaking in everything the city had to offer. “It’s a treat to learn about what other countries value, and I think that’s extremely necessary in order to become a more well-rounded student and person overall,” she said.

CCSA’s 22 member institutions are gearing up for the summer 2015 programs in Belize, Ireland and London. The priority application deadline is Feb. 13 with the final deadline of Feb. 27.

For information, visit www.ccsa.cc or contact Jerry Barnaby, CCSA executive director, at (270) 745-2231.

CCSA is administered by WKU’s Office of Study Away is a unit of the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach.

Contact: Jerry Barnaby, (270) 745-2231 or jerry.barnaby@wku.edu