Barbados, Summer 2009 - Registration deadline: May 15, 2009

The Office of International Education, the Department of History and the African American Studies Program at Virginia Commonwealth University are pleased to offer a unique opportunity to study on-site in Barbados. The program will highlight the historical and cultural heritage of the Caribbean at a festive time in Barbados (the Crop Over festival) when the island is in the midst of celebrating its African cultural triditions through music and dance. Lectures will be held at the Cave Hill campus of the university of the West Indies.

Curriculum

Through lectures and field visits led by faculty members, students will explore the evolution and development of Caribbean societies from around the 15th century to the present, as well as the responses of Caribbean peoples to forces that have shaped their lives. This exploration will include, but not be limited to the following: plantation slavery, gender, language, migration, education, religion, race, identity, sports, architecture, archaeology, music, dance, the Kadooment Day celebration and cuisine. The Barbados study-abroad program is designed to give students, with or without a background in Caribbean studies, an authentic, stimulating and memorable Caribbean experience. it will appeal to broad-minded individuals who are open to ethnic and cultural diversity. Participants will gain a greater appreciation of the history and culture of the Caribbean, and the significance and uniqueness of Barbados in particular.

Faculty Expert

Program Director: Dr. Bernard Moitt

Dr. Moitt, chair of the history department at VCU who was born and raised in Antigua, specializes in the histories and literatures of Africa and the Caribbean. He has a keen interest in gender and slavery, and is nationally and internationally recognized for his scholarship and intellectual activities. His vast knowledge of the Caribbean, and his extensive personal and professional contacts in Barbados and other parts of the region, make his study-abroad program a unique opportunity that should not be missed. This is his twelth year anniversary of leading the program to Barbados.

2009 Program Facts

* The program fee of $2980 includes the following: round-trip airfare from either Washington, DC or Richmond, pick-up and drop-off at the Barbados airport, accommodations, study visits and tours, on-site program director support, application fee and deposit, pre-departure orientation, VCU administrative fees, and an International Student Identification Card.

The following are NOT included in the program fee. Students are responsible for: VCU tuition and fees, some meals, passport application fee, personal expenses during the program (estimated at $600-$1000), anything not specifically mentioned above.

**Students must register for both 3 credit courses

More Information, Application

VCU in China: Intensive Chinese Language Program

June 15th through July 31, 2009, Application Deadline: April 3, 2009

VCU in China Intensive Chinese Language Program

The Office of International Education at Virginia Commonwealth University is pleased to offer a seven-week intensive Chinese language program at Beijing Foreign Studies University. This program is designed to allow sudents the opportunity to earn one academic year worth of language instruction in a total immersion environment.

Following an initial language placement exam at VCU, students will be divided into small groups of three to four students based on their language ability. Classes will meet four hours a day, five days a week from 9-noon. These morning classes will be small - one instructor per three to four students. From 1:30pm - 2:30 pm students will have the option to take a Chinese writing class, or continue the intensive drill/interactive instruction. Teaching assistants at each level will hold evening office hours to assist students with their course work. For further details, contact Dr. Herman.

During the program students will participate on several excursions: Great Wall, Summer Palace and Ming Tombs, Chengde, Datong and WuTai in Shanxi Province, Mt. Tai and Qufu in Shandong Province, and Xian and Luoyang. On July 12th students will spend an entire day with a Chinese family.

Housing is in the international student dormitories at BFSU. The rooms include: bed (with sheets, blanket and pillow), desk, chair, lamp, closet, TV, phone, and air conditioning.

Faculty Expert

Program Director: Dr. John Herman

Dr. Herman, a history professor at VCU, specializes in southern China and has traveled extensively throughout the country and the region.

2009 Program Facts

*The program fee covers lodging, all study visits, tours, and excursions in China, and the International Student Identification Card. Students are responsible for the following expenses: VCU tuition, international airfare, US passport, Chinese visa, textbooks, meals, laundry, personal expenses. A nonrefundable registration fee of $50 is due upon registration. A nonrefundable deposit of $250 is due two weeks after receipt of acceptance packet. The balance of the program fee and tuition costs (based on the number of registered credits) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009.

Eligibility: Students must have a 2.75 GPA to apply. All applicants will be interviewed by the program director (Dr. Herman).