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Nevada State College students launch blog for Ireland study abroad program

May 22, 2013 | Campus News

Scorpions Abroad to document group’s travel and coursework this June
By Mandi Enger
Fourteen students and one faculty advisor from Nevada State College (NSC) will participate in the college’s first study abroad program at the Marino Institute of Education (MIE) in Dublin, Ireland June 8 through 22. To share their experiences and encourage future participation in the program, the initial cohort has created a group blog titled Scorpions Abroad.
We’re pleased to be able to share timely updates about our travels and coursework in Ireland, said Roberta Kaufman, assistant professor of education at NSC and faculty advisor for the program. The group plans to blog throughout our trip in order for current and future students to recognize the unique opportunities available to them at NSC.
The blog was launched by the group in late May with Kaufman and students outlining the program schedule for the three-credit language learning course. Taught by MIE professors, classes will meet five-days a week with the curriculum focusing on historical, political, and social factors related to second language acquisition.
Course content will also cover instructional considerations for second language learning in grades K-12. Students will visit local schools as part of the learning experience.
I am looking forward to experiencing another culture and spending time in a classroom setting abroad with my fellow NSC classmates, commented Deuvall Dorsey, a student participating in the program and blog. I am also excited to work with young Irish students as part of our class requirements.
Evenings and weekends will be open for the group to study and explore Dublin. Dorsey and other students in the program plan to visit local villages, museums, and government buildings while sharing their travels through blog posts and photos.
We will be in Dublin during Bloomsday, a major Irish holiday, and I look forward to enjoying Irish poetry and literature readings at that time, Dorsey added. During my free time I also plan to run a 10k and a marathon.
Studying abroad can be life changing and help shape students values, beliefs, and view of the world, said Kaufman. We look forward to sharing our experiences.
The study abroad program was announced to students in early January with applications open to students of any major. In coming years, NSC plans to offer the study abroad program over the summer with various course offerings.
To subscribe or view the group’s latest blog entry, visit http://ireland.nevadastateblog.org/.