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Around the World and Back

From zip lining through a South American forest to toasting marshmallows on the lava of a volcano, SUNY Oneonta students had amazing experiences during international field courses this summer.

By SUNY Oneonta

June 14^th, 2019

China

From May 25 to June 5, 26 SUNY Oneonta students in three separate courses traveled to Guilin, China together to learn about the region's cities, architecture, culture and landscape and analyze the impact of tourism.

Accompanied by professors Ho Hon Leung, Matthew Hendley and Wesley Bernard, students studying sociology, world history and photography explored the meaning and symbolic power of man's influence on his environment from a cross-disciplinary approach.

Photo by Digital and Studio Art major Adrianna Newell

Students attended lectures and classes at Guangxi Normal University and visited the 700-year-old Longji Rice Terraces, where they were greeted by Yao and Zhuang villagers, who still use the terraces for growing premium-quality rice. They also hiked, explored nearby caves and parks, and shopped in the bustling market town of Yangshuo.

Paris

Nine art students were in France from May 13 to 26 learning art history firsthand for an upper-level course on Impressionism.

Led by their professor, Pearlie Rose S. Baluyut, the students studied original paintings in major museums and artist studios, including L'Orangerie, Musee d'Orsay, Musee du Louvre and Musee Marmottan-Claude Monet.

United Kingdom

Thirteen students went on a three-week tour of the United Kingdom for a philosophy class examining the "big questions" about life and death.

Led by their professor, Daniel Patrone, the students made stops in England, Wales and Scotland, examining topics such as ancient religious death practices; beauty, illness and patient rights issues; death and suffering in art and entertainment; the meaning of suffering; and end-of-life care.

Ecuador

Eighteen students spent a little over two weeks completing service projects and working with youth and families in Quito and Mindo, Ecuador as part of an upper-division Human Development and Family Studies course.

The students were involved in three service projects: building a greenhouse for an elder-care facility; helping a preschool program develop activities and renovate a room; and working with the mayor in Mindo on a beautification project in a high-poverty district. They were accompanied by faculty members Karen Joest and Gwen Frank.

Guatemala

Twenty environmental sustainability students traveled to Guatemala, where they learned about water resource problems and environmental issues in the developing world and worked to find solutions. They were led by their professor, Tracy Allen.

During the annual field course, "Water and Environment of Guatemala," students take water samples and analyze water-quality data from Lake Atitlan and the surrounding drainage basin. Based on their observations, interactions with local residents and data collection, the students work to identify solutions to the area's water resources problems.

“These individuals truly touched each of our lives and made us realize how incredibly lucky we are to have fresh water in an instant in the United States. I will never forget this experience." - Spanish major Madison Hatch