Students study abroad, get a taste of England

Friday, September 17, 2010

Every summer, Oklahoma State University’s Scholar Development and Recognition office offers a study abroad program for undergraduate students to gain knowledge outside the classroom.

This summer, 18 OSU students traveled with two professors to Cambridge in the United Kingdom to learn the culture of food.

Agricultural economics professor, Mike Dicks, was the instructor of the course and taught students the impact of food on cultural development in other countries.

“We had a really good group of students,” said Dicks. “They were very motivated and learned how to get accustomed to the different cultures.”

Students ranged in studies from agriculture, engineering, business, human environmental sciences and education.

Environmental science senior, Jeremy Bennett said the diverse group of students was beneficial to the program.

“We weren’t all ag students, so it brought a lot of different minds together,” Bennett said. “We had healthy debates, which engaged all of us to speak out our views on issues such as world hunger and population.”

Dicks said he wanted to teach in ways other than the usual lecture-styled class.

He had faculty guest speakers, presentations, group discussions and situational games to expand the students’ knowledge of culture and food in a certain country.

This unique program is available to students because of a previous OSU student’s aspiration. 

Ten years ago, OSU graduate and Rhodes scholarship recipient, Blaine Greteman, developed the idea of this program for students to gain academic experiences abroad.

After studying as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Greteman wanted future OSU students to have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge.

The program offers a different academic topic every year for up to 20 students.

Previous program topics include Seventeenth Century Science and Literature, Ethical Theory and Leadership Praxis in Britain and Popular Media and News in Seventeenth Century England.

Next summer’s topic will cover sports in the United Kingdom and how it fits into the history of British literature.

Director of Scholar Development, Robert Graalman, said the courses are rigorous with five to six hours of class each day along with extensive writing assignments.

However, students are allowed the weekend within the two-week course to travel as they please and will receive three hours of OSU credit for completing the course.

Students from any college can apply, and those who are chosen receive free tuition and board at Magdalene College where the classes are held.

Although the majority of applicants have been undergraduate upperclassmen, there are no certain restrictions for applying.

Graalman said he strongly encourages students with high academic standards to apply.

“The course was developed so that the students who are ambitious about their education have a chance to see what is possible in the U.K.,” said Graalman. “They have an opportunity to challenge themselves.”

Applications are usually due at the beginning of February, and students are selected at the beginning of March.

Students can find applications in the Scholar Development office in 260 Student Union or online at http://scholardevelopment.okstate.edu/.