Alderson Broaddus University offers academic minors in international studies and offers several international studies opportunities for students to study in, and experience, other countries. For more information on these opportunities contact Mr. William B. Klaus, Alderson Broaddus University Director of International Learning and service, (304) 457-6270.
Semester in Europe I Semester In Europe Student Handbook
Students can travel Europe while earning credits toward graduation with the Alderson Broaddus University Semester in Europe. The three-month program emphasizes travel as a means of high-level, intensive, and ultimately rewarding learning. Travelling Europe itself becomes the classroom.
Every fall semester, a group of around fifteen AB students travel and learn with one or two experienced and knowledgeable AB Professors. Classes are held in Salzburg Austria, where the program keeps a home base at Haus Wartenberg, a quaint bed and breakfast near the historic city center. Students take six four-day weekends and one ten-day midterm break to travel away from Salzburg to destinations of their own choosing. Recent trips included places as far north as Dublin Ireland, as far south as Palermo, Italy, as far east as Budapest, Hungary, and as far west as Normandy, France. Additionally, the entire group takes a grand tour of Florence and Rome, Italy.
Students quickly come to appreciate the dynamic and hands-on curriculum offered by the AB faculty. They take at least twelve credit hours taught on site in Salzburg. The courses are designed to meet the students’ liberal studies requirements and some requirements for majors and minors. Recent examples include “The Geography of the European Union,” “Immigrants in Contemporary Europe,” and “Modern European Culture.” Some faculty will offer additional 2-credit special interest classes that can be completed during weekends and the midterm travel break. Examples include “Alpine Trekking,” and “Major Issues in Contemporary Italy.” A student may also arrange for independent studies and online classes.
The AB Semester in Europe is a surprisingly affordable way to travel while making real progress toward graduation. Students pay the same room, board, and tuition as on-campus students and a modest program fee of $3,000. In return, they receive the following amenities:
- Airfare to and from Salzburg.
- A two-month train pass.
- Lodging and two meals a day in Salzburg, Austria at Haus Wartenberg.
- An allowance to help pay for lodging and meals outside of Salzburg.
- An allowance to offset the cost of museums and educational tours and experiences.
- Lodging for an eight-day tour of Florence and Rome.
- Additional amenities that go along with the classes being offered.
Nicaragua
The AB Mission Team, a student-led organization, plans and executes an annual mission trip to Nicaragua. It is the institution’s best offering for a fully immersive travel and mission experience.
The Mission Team partners with AMOS, a public health advocacy and mission group based in Managua, Nicaragua. The group is a world leader in the field of community-based health programs in rural areas and provides the group of AB students with ground transportation, lodging, translators, leadership, and very good meals!
Students grow and learn in remarkable ways during an intensive ten-day program. The trip starts on the AMOS campus in Managua, where students learn about Nicaraguan culture and prepare for the mission work. From there, AMOS transports the group to one of its partner communities. The villages range from small coffee farms in the Nicaraguan highlands to cattle and maize farms in the north. Recent examples of the mission work include first aid training, health screening of infants and children, distributing and maintaining water filters, Bible lessons for the children, and significant construction projects.
The last days of the trip include a short break and a trip to one of Nicaragua’s tourist destinations. Recent destinations have included a Pacific Coast beach, the historic cities of Granada and Leon, and one of the country’s active volcanoes.
Students who take the trip may choose to take a concurrent class, INST 391: International Service Learning Practicum. The class offers a curriculum to enhance the student’s learning before and after the trip. Topics include a history of Nicaragua, the ethics and history of mission work in Latin America, the spiritual and Christian calling of mission work, and an assessment of the work.
The cost of the trip is offset by a generous grant from the Alderson Broaddus University Student Government Association. The actual out-of-pocket charges have ranged from $600-$800, which includes airfare, lodging, meals, and the mission’s supplies. Students are also required to participate in fundraising and meetings of the AB Mission Team.
