Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is currently accepting applications for Summer 2008 Study Abroad opportunities. CPCC’s students, faculty and members of the community have three options which include: June 1-30, 4 Week Cultural Immersion Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; July 3-21 Oaxaca, Mexico – Spanish for Educators and the Workplace, and French In France, June 25 – August 1.
Donna Apgar, Central Piedmont Community College’s (CPCC) Director of Language Learning Technologies, initiated the Study Abroad Program seven years ago fueled by her own experience as a foreign student. It has become her passion and she believes fervently in the benefits. “Your life changes after you have an experience like this,” explained Apgar. “It gives you a knowing of yourself and a maturity, an awareness of doing things differently.”
According to Transitions Abroad magazine, a guide catering to independent travelers seeking immersion in different countries and cultures, “Studying abroad is usually a defining moment in a young person’s life and continues to impact the participant’s life for years after the experience.”
Reacting to research supporting the myriad of positive affects for all demographics, CPCC has tailored the Study Abroad programs to maximize participants’ experiences of a foreign culture and immersion within the language. The College offers three study abroad options, one French Language and two Spanish Language immersion trips, all of which can be audited or counted towards academic credit.
The June 1 trip to Playa Del Carmen encompasses a four week academic program at the Solexico Language Center situated in the heart of the beautiful seaside resort-town in the heart of the Mayan Riviera. Located 40 minutes from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen is close to many major archeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Participants spend five hours a day in relaxed and communicative Spanish instruction with native speakers. Both Spanish language and cultural immersion are guaranteed as travelers revel in the culture, people and vitality of the town. Weekend excursions to Ancient Mayan sites and the pyramids at Chitzen Itza and the temples at Ek Balam are included and ensure a broad experience.
Helina Tedla encapsulates her experience on the 2007 trip perfectly. “During my stay I was able to understand and speak Spanish better because I spent most of my time with Spanish speaking people. I believe that I learned how to speak Spanish more in the one month stay in México, than my two years of Spanish class,” she said.
Another opportunity to learn or perfect one’s Spanish skills is an 18 day trip offered to educators and/or members of the workplace in Oaxaca in the heart of México from July 3 – 21. Participants will hone their language skills at the Solexico Language Center and have the option of staying with host families, shared apartment lodgings or hotels.
This intensive course comprising a weekly total of 15 hours grammatical instruction and an additional 10 hours of conversation revolving around the work environment provides thorough exposure to the language.According to the Tourism Board, Oaxaca located in the South-eastern region of México, is the most diverse state in México and home to over 14 ethnic groups assuring enrichment on many levels. The pleasant sub-tropical climate, virgin beaches, jungles and mountain peaks assure a broad experience. Oaxaca is renowned for its architecture and rich cultural traditions as well as a tempting assortment of foods typical to the region which have been highly recognized by international gourmets.
“My experience was one that I will carry with me for a lifetime,” said Dr Jo Karney, Principal of Davidson IB Middle School and 2006 participant. “Now I wonder where the Mexican families are coming from when they arrive on our doorstep at school, and what conditions they lived in prior to coming to the United States. I will be sure to politely ask as the parents are enrolling their children, to help establish a rapport and connection. I too will make a greater effort to connect with and build relationships with these Hispanic and Latino families by way of more workshops in Spanish and by attempting to speak directly to these families in Spanish,” she said.
The French in France immersion trip from June 25 – August 1, 2008 commences with a few days site-seeing in Paris, soaking up the legendary Louvre and Musee D’Orsay museums; acquainting oneself with café society on the Champs-Elysees; visiting Versailles Palace; the famous Luxembourg Gardens; the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
“I can’t imagine taking students to France and not doing time in Paris,” said Apgar.
“Thereafter travelers head to the medieval resort town of Annecy in the French Alps, 22 miles south of Geneva. The Institute de Francais d’Annecy offers an immersion program which is highly regarded by many of the four-year universities,” according to Apgar. “Participants represent a variety of different countries,” she said. Ideally students will stay with a host family selected by the immersion school.
“The prospect of living with a family and communicating solely in French can be daunting, especially for younger students,” explained Apgar. “This is, however, one of the greatest achievements of the program and a major growing experience.”
Annecy, referred to as the “Venice of France” due to its situation on the turquoise waters of Lac D’Annecy, is rated by “France-for-Vistors.com” as one of the most beautiful resort towns in the Alps. The immersion school offers many excursions on the weekends enabling participants to familiarize themselves with the surrounding area and attractions.
“There is so much going on within the town, and part of the culture is absorbed by just hanging around the lake and in the cafes and doing regular things on the weekend,” said Carmen Culpepper, 2005 participant.
“Go and have an open mind. It changed my life forever,” said Ashlyn Gebhardt, 2007 participant.
Detailed descriptions of the programs as well as cost estimates, payment schedules and photo albums are readily available online at http//www.cpcc.edu/study-abroad
. Contact Donna Apgar at 704 330.6167 or
donna.apgar@cpcc.edu for further information.
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CPCC is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering 100 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.
