Faculty lead summer learning experiences

University of North Georgia (UNG) students experienced a variety of learning environments through study abroad and study away opportunities this summer.

A total of 126 students participated in 10 faculty-led programs this summer, including 89 with study abroad and 37 with study away programs in the United States. An additional 107 students took part in more individualized study abroad experiences.

One of the study abroad opportunities was "Film in Italy," which sent 14 students to Barga, Italy, for five weeks with faculty member James Mackenzie, associate director for film in the School of Communication, Film & Theatre.

Students on the trip began producing documentaries, which can be viewed as in-progress projects at this September's Georgia Film Festival on UNG's Gainesville Campus. One group explored the story of an artist who painted a bench in a small Italian town, while another highlighted an emerging 20-year-old rapper from the local area.

"I loved seeing how proactive UNG students are," Mackenzie said. "They went out and met locals and found stories to tell."

Ellie Nicholson, a senior from Athens, Georgia, pursuing a degree in film and digital media with a production concentration, was both surprised and thrilled to be able to be part of "Film in Italy." She enjoyed learning about Italian cinema and culture, and she also thrived on gaining a new level of independence while abroad.

"You have to get that kind of exposure and take that leap to get out of your comfort zone," Nicholson said.

Daniel Kumi, a senior from Marietta, Georgia, who is also pursuing a degree in film and digital media with a production concentration, transferred to UNG from Georgia State University because of UNG's overall film program and the chance to study abroad in Italy. Kumi called it an "awe-inspiring experience" to learn his craft while in another country.

"No matter where anyone goes in the world, it's important to educate yourself deeply about the culture. You're stepping into a guest's home," Kumi said. "It was a pretty unforgettable experience. I'm all the better for it."

One of the study away experiences was "Geology and Geography of the National Parks," with 10 students joining faculty members Dr. Jamie Mitchem and Dale Caldwell in visiting 21 national parks, monuments and similar areas out west. Students saw igneous rocks and volcanic processes in Yellowstone National Park, metamorphic rocks and mountain-building processes in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, sedimentary rocks and the erosive forces of wind, ice and water in Grand Canyon National Park, and even the explosive forces of meteorite impacts at Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona and Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. They traveled through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

The program had been in the works for a year and a half, with Mitchem meticulously planning out the sights the students would see and providing them with weather forecasts ahead of time to help generate excitement.

"The goal was to show students different rock types and landforms that are unique. And national parks are a perfect way to do that," Mitchem said. "Sometimes your imagination is limited by your experiences, so when you expand your experiences, you can expand your imagination."

Madison Rollins, a senior from Pensacola, Florida, pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis, appreciated the attention to detail by UNG faculty in orchestrating the 16-day study away opportunity. She particularly enjoyed creating a journal documenting the experience, something each of the students on the trip did as part of the class.

"I got a chance to understand the national parks from a geological perspective and a cultural perspective. Understanding the substance of those parks made it a lot more enjoyable," Rollins said. "It was really a pleasure to get to spend time with all those people and make a bond. I don't remember a time on the trip when I wasn't laughing or having a good time."

Arthur Cagle, a senior from Ellijay, Georgia, who is also pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis, enjoyed the tight-knit nature of the trip.

"The biggest takeaway was the experience you get one-on-one with the professor," Cagle said. "I could ask questions immediately and get a response."

Sheila Schulte, associate vice president for international programs, applauded the faculty members' efforts.

"The Center for Global Engagement, which facilitates these programs, is incredibly grateful for the faculty program directors who organize and lead these programs. It allows our students to engage with their academic discipline in a practical manner while building important life skills," Schulte said. "The proposals for faculty-led study abroad and study away programs is Sept. 1 summer 2024 programs, and we encourage faculty to reach out to CGE to learn more about the proposal process."