BLINN OFFERING INTERNATIONAL TRIPS IN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Josh Blaschke September 13, 2018

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The Blinn College District will continue to expand students’ borders in 2019 with two once-in-a-lifetime study abroad opportunities.

Blinn will partner with Sol Education Abroad to offer SPAN 1411, SPAN 1412, SPAN 2311, and SPAN 2312 in Granada, Spain, May 25 through June 22, 2019, and GEOG 1301 and GEOG 1302 in Costa Rica May 13-26, 2019.

Blinn and Sol Education Abroad will host an information session regarding both trips on Friday, Sept. 28, in Room F-120 of the Blinn College-Bryan Campus Student Center. The info session will be led by Brent Hunter, Sol Education’s Overseas Program Director and a former Blinn student.

Sol Education Abroad’s study abroad experience in Granada recently was named GoAbroad.com’s top study abroad program. The one-month excursion offers students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn the Spanish language and immerse themselves in the culture of one of Spain’s most ancient and diverse cities.

During the Granada study abroad experience, students can complete Spanish 1411 and 1412, or Spanish 2311 and 2312, all while visiting historic sites, participating in cultural activities, and forging relationships with host families.

Students visit Seville and Cordoba, two of the most historic cities in Europe, spend a weekend in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains, and walk the beaches of Costa del Sol. They will explore the exotic Alhambra, the ancient palace of the Sultans, enjoy Granada’s historic quarter, “El Albaycin,” and watch authentic Flamenco dancers in the caverns where they have performed for decades. Students stay in pairs with host families, further enhancing language and culture immersion.

“This was a great opportunity to receive college credit and to gain insight and knowledge about a culture different than my own,” said Kayley Hart, who participated in a previous study abroad trip to Granada. “It is an once-in-a-lifetime experience to immerse yourself in such a unique and historical location.”

Students interested in the Granada trip must submit an application and $500 deposit by Feb. 20, 2019. The $3,975 trip includes housing, meals, excursions, and cultural activities. Students are responsible for Blinn course tuition and airfare. Sol Education Abroad accepts financial aid or scholarships, and can assist with any necessary paperwork.

For more information regarding the Granada trip, visit www.soleducation.com/blinn, or email Garza at alex.garza@blinn.edu or Irma Valdez at ivaldez@blinn.edu.

Blinn also will offer an exciting opportunity for students to study geography in the rain forests of Costa Rica. Students will complete GEOG 1301: Physical Geography or GEOG 1302: Human Geography while immersed in a culturally diverse environment in which to study vegetation and animals. Costa Rica offers a vibrant ecotourism industry and offers students the opportunity to see developing-world cities and study agricultural practices in a tropical region, as well as coastal and volcanic processes.

The trip includes city tours of Heredia and San Jose City; a visit to a local market; tropical fruit, food, and pastry tasting; visits to the national museum and theatre; sightseeing at La Fortuna Waterfall; a guided hike in a rainforest reserve; trips to wildlife exhibits; and a zip line canopy tour.

Students interested in the Costa Rica trip must submit an application and $500 deposit by Feb. 15, 2019. The full balance for the trip is due March 25, 2019. The $2,195 trip includes three meals per day, laundry, hotel stays, excursions, and cultural activities. Airfare is not included.

Blinn will host information sessions regarding the Costa Rica trip on the following dates at the Blinn-Bryan Campus (map):