Twelve Central Oregon Community College students will be spending the term in London, England. James Knox, a music instructor and choral director at COCC, is also travelling with the students on this “life-changing adventure.” These 12 students will spend the next 10 weeks of term taking classes at the University of London in the school’s American International Foreign Study Program. While in England, students will be staying with host families around the city. They will attend classes in the heart of London in what the locals refer to as “Zone 1.” Knox will also be participating in activities on the University of London campus as an instructor, teaching three classes a week, including his popular music history class, History of Rock.
“The good thing about [studying in London] is all of the credits earned over there are transferable here in Bend,” Knox said. “Students will get to further their education while experiencing something that is truly life-changing.”
During their stay in London, students will be culturally immersed. Activities on the itinerary for spring term include attending a “football match,” which is England’s version of a soccer game by one of England’s major soccer clubs, touring the city and its many historical sites, including Stonehenge located outside of London, and seeing a Shakespearean production performed live onstage in London.
Opportunities such as this do come at a cost, Knox explains. For the chance to study abroad in London, students paid anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000. The price did steer some students away, according to Knox. Fortunately, financial aid such as Pell Grants can be applied toward students’ tuition costs while attending school abroad.
Although it is expensive to travel the world, studying abroad is a great way for students to further their knowledge both in and out of the classroom, according to Knox.
“I believe that it’s important for students to travel if they can,” Knox said. “It really changes your perspective of the world around you.”
Emily Kalei | The Broadside
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