Liberal Studies
The major for future elementary school teachers.
Study Abroad Opportunities
ATTENTION STUDENTS PLANNING ON STUDYING ABROAD IN SUMMER 2012, FALL 2012 OR ACADEMIC YEAR 2012-2013 : The DUS study abroad scholarship application deadline is March 1st at 4:00pm. For more information and the application itself, click on this link.
Studying abroad can be a very rewarding part of an undergraduate education, so the Liberal 
Studies Program encourages all of its majors to consider studying abroad at some point during their time at SDSU. Starting with the 2011-2012 catalog year, Liberal Studies majors will be required to complete an international experience (this new requirement will not apply to students in earlier catalog years, though these students are certainly encouraged to participate). We're working hard to create a variety of different experiences that will appeal to, and work for, our diverse student body. To read a detailed explanation of the new requirement for the 2011 catalog and to get a sense for some of the experiences we're currently working on, click on this link to a pdf file.
We are also fortunate to be able to work with Karey Sabol in SDSU’s Division of Undergraduate Studies. Karey has worked hard over the years to identify study abroad programs that work with the extensive requirements of the Liberal Studies major. Specifically, she has helped us identify programs in England, Australia and Canada that offer classes that can be applied to the core of the lower division Liberal Studies requirements. Additionally, she's helped us identify a number of other programs in other parts of the world that offer coursework to complete a specialization in Liberal Studies (for students in catalog years 2010 and prior). The Division has a study abroad web page, which might be a good place to start.
The timing of a study abroad program varies by student and program. Students should think not only about where they want to go, but also how long they want to be gone for. The following rules of thumb can help students plan:
+Semester length programs for LS majors generally work best in the sophomore year.
+Short term (4-7 days) programs for LS majors (during January or Spring Break) generally work best in either the junior or senior year.
+Medium length (3-4 weeks) programs for LS majors (during the Summer) generally work best after the sophomore or junior year (depending on what course work the program offers).
Regardless of when a student plans to study abroad, arranging a study abroad program takes time and careful planning, so students are encouraged to begin the process early. To get started, students can visit SDSU’s International Student Center website. Also, interested 2010 catalog students and all 2011 catalog students should inquire about study abroad during their initial advising appointment, if possible.
Additionally, SDSU’s Division of Undergraduate Studies offers a scholarship that Liberal Studies students who want to study abroad can apply for. Please see the scholarships page of the Liberal Studies website for more information.
Some specific programs that have been designed specifically with Liberal Studies students in mind are described below.
Guatemala, Spring Break, 2012
The College of Education is offering two Guatemala Alternative Spring Break trips, both of which will take place from approximately March 22nd through April 1st. The entire trip with everything included comes to around $1,600.00, and the course meets the SDSU study aboard criteria. For more information, please click on this link to a pdf file for one program or on this link to a pdf file for the other program.
Guatemala, Summer, 2012
The College of Education is offering another Guatemala trip this Summer from May 31st through June 10th. The entire trip with everything included comes to around $1,700.00, and the course meets the SDSU study aboard criteria. For more information, please visit the program's website click on this link to a pdf file.
Liberal Studies in Mexicali, January 2012
The Liberal Studies program and Division of Undergraduate Studies are pleased to announce a new study abroad program designed primarily for Liberal Studies majors. Many of our students have asked for inexpensive or very short-term study abroad options, and this program fits both categories.
We invite you to join Professors Phoebe Roeder and Bruce Harley on a 5-day experiential program in Mexicali. The Mexicali Experience will take place this Winter Break, January 12-16, 2012 and will offer 1-unit of credit. Our partner organization, Via International, will lead us on an "insider" tour of Mexicali, allowing us to learn about the educational system of Mexico and issues related to migration, partner with local community members in a service project, visit neighborhood microcredit projects, and participate in unique cultural experiences.
To view more program details, visit the program website or download the program flyer.
Liberal Studies in England, Summer 2012 [June 10-July 4]
The Liberal Studies program and Division of Undergraduate Studies are pleased to announce the first three week study abroad program designed primarily for Liberal Studies students. The program will be based on the Keele University campus in England, will include several trips to popular destinations, and will give Liberal Studies students an opportunity to earn 3 units of credit that they can apply towards the Literacy Focus in the major (LING 430), plus one elective unit that can be applied towards the tutoring requirement of the TESL certificate. Interested students can learn more by visiting the program's website.
The Tanzania Experience, Summer 2012 [June 10-June 24]
Join Professor Peter Larlham on a unique international experience to Tanzania. The project this Summer's group will be working on in Kongwa is the “Goats for Kids” project, begun last year. The project’s goal is to give the elementary school the means to provide a sustainable school lunch program so that students can stay in school all day. Last year, program participants worked on helping them purchase goats; this year, they’ll help plant a garden and work out the logistics of the lunch program. It could be a wonderful opportunity for Liberal Studies students to connect more intimately with (and work alongside) elementary school teachers, students, and families abroad. In addition to the time spent at the school in Kongwa, students will have the opportunity to go on a safari and to visit cultural and historical sites. The course offered (1-unit) is GENS 400: Service Learning (subtitled: Sustainability and the Environment), and the cost of the in-country portion of the trip is $2,950. Download the program flyer for more information or visit the program website: http://tanzania.sdsu.edu
Semester Exchange Program in England, most Fall semesters
The Liberal Studies program and Division of Undergraduate Studies are pleased to announce a semester length study abroad program at Keele University in the United Kingdom. This program will work best for students in their first sophomore semester. Students interested in this program should begin the panning process as soon as possible specifically by saving certain classes for that fourth semester. To see which requirements can most likely be satisfied through this program, and therefore which classes not to take in the preceding two semesters, please consult this document. Please also check back later for more detailed information regarding courses and application deadlines.
Semester Exchange Program in Canada, most Fall and Spring semesters
The Liberal Studies program and Division of Undergraduate Studies are pleased to announce a semester length study abroad program at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. This program will work best for students in their first or second sophomore semester or for students in their first or second junior semester (2011 catalog year Literacy Focus students only at the junior level). Students interested in this program should begin the panning process as soon as possible specifically by saving certain classes for that fourth semester. To see which requirements can most likely be satisfied through this program, and therefore which classes not to take in the preceding semesters, please consult this document. Please also check back later for more detailed information regarding courses and application deadlines.
Semester Exchange Program in Australia, most Spring semesters
The Liberal Studies program and Division of Undergraduate Studies are pleased to announce a semester length study abroad program at Deakin University in Australia. This program will work best for students in their second sophomore semester. Students interested in this program should begin the panning process as soon as possible specifically by saving certain classes for that fourth semester. To see which requirements can most likely be satisfied through this program, and therefore which classes not to take in the preceding three semesters, please consult this document. Please also check back later for more detailed information regarding courses and application deadlines.
Non-Liberal Studies Programs
Fulbright Scholarships for Highly Talented Graduates
Graduates of SDSU may apply for a Student Fulbright Teaching English grant in order to teach English in another country. Fulbright grants are highly competitive. For more information see http://us.fulbrightonline.org/about.html. Workshops on how to qualify and applications procedures are held periodically during spring semester:
Applications are generally due in late Fall for Fulbright grants that begin in August of the following year. Interested students with high GPA's may contact Dr. Pat Huckle at huckle@mail.sdsu.edu.
Fulbright awards to teach English overseas update (7/6/11)
There will be many Fulbright grants for English Teaching Assistants this coming year. Students can review the countries, number of grants for each, level (university, middle or elementary school) and language requirements at this web site:
http://us.fulbrightonline.org/thinking_teaching.html
Activities may include serving as a resource person in conversation groups; providing small group tutorials; work in a language lab; giving talks related to American Studies in English classes or civic/school organizations. Both graduating seniors and graduate students may apply, as may recent alums.
Interested students should review the web site, download the flyer and may contact Dr. Patricia Huckle to for further information.
Camp Adventure Youth Services
[NOTE: to satisfy the Liberal Studies international experience requirement through Camp Adventure, students must select the course credit option]
Want to be a camp counselor in a different country? Consider applying to Camp Adventure. Visit http://www.campadventure.com, or e-mail sdcampadventure@gmail.com or urfavoritejessica@gmail.com.
Do you like working with children and traveling the world? Then Camp Adventure Child and Youth Services is the program for you! Camp Adventure is a non-profit organization that recruits college students to send abroad during the summer, spring and fall terms to run programs for children and youth. We contract primarily with US military installations to run day camp, middle school, early childhood, and aquatics programs for the military children. We also contract with some US embassies, international schools, etc. We operate in locations such as Germany, Italy, Hawaii, Japan, S. Korea, China, Florida Keys, Okinawa, Guam, many cities throughout the U.S. and more! Some of the benefits of participation include:
* Paid travel, housing, and a living stipend
* Earn 12 undergraduate or graduate credits for only $325 [important for graduation]
* Great resume builder!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Here is some additional information regarding Camp Adventure and how to get involved. Camp Adventure is a non-profit organization that recruits college students from different Universities throughout the United States. We train all students during the spring semester to go run summer programs primarily for military children and youth throughout the summer months. We have Child Development Center programs (0-5 yr olds), Day Camp programs (6-12 yrs), Middle School/Teen programs, and Aquatics (lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons) programs as well. The daily schedule is different depending on what program you end up working with. Our programs operate primarily on military installations but also some international schools, country clubs, embassies, etc. Therefore the majority of our programs are working with Americans on the military bases, however some also work with international children as well, it depends on the specific location. We have programs in such countries as Germany, Italy, Japan, S. Korea, US (Hawaii, Key West, Texas, etc), among many others! Most of our programs are about 10 weeks during the summer months. You do get to preference where you would like to go, you rank options from 1 to about 25 and we try to place you in your top 5 options.
Some of the benefits of the program are that we pay for your airfare, housing and provide you with a living stipend of about $150/wk, which is enough to cover your basic living expenses. You also can receive 12 hours of undergraduate or graduate credit for only $325. The credits often times go toward electives, but sometimes you can also use them toward your major if you meet with your adviser and see how they can apply toward your major. It is a great way to travel to a fun and exciting location, build your resume, and most importantly a wonderful opportunity for gaining hands-on experience with children and youth. The costs that you will pay will be about $800-900, depending on if you already have some of the requirements like health insurance, a passport, etc.
OUR TRAINING
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of this program and how to participate please contact the San Diego trainers: sdcampadventure@gmail.com . You can also find more information on our website at www.campadventure.com .
We look forward to hearing from you!