Community members and University of Houston-Victoria faculty, staff and students who want a summer to remember can study abroad for three to five weeks in countries from Taiwan to Mexico.

 

“We are eager to create an attitude among our students that they’re going out into an international job market and that study abroad programs are important for their successful futures,” said Vic Padelford, UHV director of international programs and special projects.

 

The study abroad opportunities offered during the summer allow students to broaden their horizons while receiving class credit, he said. Some trips are tied to a particular class, while other trips offer students a choice of courses. Classes offered this summer in five different countries range from Photography in Great Britain to Global Economics in the Czech Republic.

 

In most cases, community members and UHV faculty and staff also are invited to go on the trips, Padelford said. They can take the classes for continuing education credit or opt not to take the classes.

 

The application deadline for most of the summer trips is April 1. Students can apply financial aid to study abroad, and scholarships are available. Most students receive a scholarship that pays about 25 percent of the program cost, Padelford said.

 

UHV President Tim Hudson has been much of the driving force behind UHV’s study abroad program, Padelford said. He has encouraged expanding the program to include more countries and involving more faculty and students.

 

“This global society that we live in today can’t be ignored,” Hudson said. “Tomorrow’s leaders must know other languages and about other cultures.”

 

This is the second consecutive summer UHV faculty members have led study abroad trips to foreign countries. Chien-Ping Chen, an assistant professor of economics, is leading a trip for the first time to Taipei and Taichung, Taiwan.

 

“The students will learn demand estimation and cost analysis for the information technology industry to better prepare them for the future,” said Chen, who was born in Taiwan. “They will also learn how the IT manufacturing companies in Taiwan are important to the world supply chain.”

 

The trip to Taiwan will include taking face-to-face classes July 14 to 16 in Houston to prepare for the trip and then traveling with Chen from July 17 to Aug. 2 to Taiwan. Students can earn three credits during the trip by taking Special Topics in Managerial Economics: IT Manufacturing in the World Supply Chain.

 

Chen said that he is excited for his students to meet Taiwanese students at the National Chin-Yi University of Technology and business executives at large IT companies in Taiwan. Students will learn about the work ethic of Taiwanese employees. Those who go on the trip to Taiwan also will visit the National Palace Museum, the annual Taipei Computer Application Trade Show and Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building.

 

For more information about the summer study abroad programs, call the office of international programs at (361) 570-4311 or go to the office’s Web site at www.uhv.edu/studyabroad/Default.asp.

 

UHV study abroad programs offered this summer:

 

Location: London, England
Dates: July 10-Aug. 10
Application deadline: March 14
Cost: $5,350 for undergraduates and $5,550 for graduate students
Payment deadlines: $250 deposit required with application; fee balance by May 1
Courses: Six credits offered for taking one class. Students may choose from classes including Photography in Great Britain, International Issues in Business, Comparative Criminal Justice, World War II and Contemporary British Politics.
Details: Surcharge of $150 for students taking Shakespeare, photography or theater classes. Textbook costs not included.

 

Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Dates: Orientation and preparation (online) one week prior to leaving; May 15-30 in the Czech Republic
Application deadline: April 1
Cost: Estimated at $2,900
Payment deadlines: $250 deposit with application; airfare minus deposit by April 1; fee balance by May 1
Courses: Three credits for taking either Global Economics or Special Topics in Global Economics: International Business in the European Union Independent Study.
Details: Personal expenses, lunch and dinner not included.

 

Location: Taichung and Taipei, Taiwan
Dates: Three face-to-face classes in Houston July 14-16; July 17-Aug. 2 in Taiwan
Application deadline: April 1
Cost: Estimated at $2,900
Payment deadlines: $250 deposit with application; airfare minus deposit by April 1; fee balance by May 15
Courses: Three credits for taking Special Topics in Managerial Economics: IT Manufacturing in the World Supply Chain (Taiwan study)
Details: Personal expenses, lunch and dinner not included.

 

Location: Cuernavaca, Mexico (Short-Term Intensive Spanish and Culture Program)
Dates: Any three or five weeks, departing on any Saturday
Application deadline: 30 days prior to departure Cost: $2,334 for three weeks, $3,666 for five weeks
Payment deadlines: $250 deposit with application; fee balance due by departure
Course: Three credits for three weeks and six credits for five weeks (counselors will help with selection between five courses)
Details: Students are responsible for booking and paying their own airfare.

 

Location: Granada, Spain (Short-Term Intensive Spanish and Culture Program)
Dates: Any three or five weeks, departing on any Saturday Application deadline: 30 days prior to departure
Cost: $2,679 for three weeks, $4,081.65 for five weeks
Payment deadlines: $250 deposit with application; fee balance due by departure
Course: Three credits for three weeks and six credits for five weeks (counselors will help with selection between five courses)
Details: Students are responsible for booking and paying their own airfare.