Erinn Finley
Contributing Writer
[email protected]

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic studying abroad was out on hold. To still provide some of the abroad experiences for students the Study Abroad Office has made courses that offer students the same intercultural experiences.

Melanie McCallon Seib, director of education abroad, said that there are three new classes under the umbrella of intercultural appreciation and experiences. 

 “The intention of the courses is to give students the opportunity to dive into cultural study with potentially the hope that a student might study abroad in the future after taking the class,” Seib said.  

Each of these classes focus on a different topic or geographic location. 

Christy D’Ambrosio, an education abroad advisor, taught INT 203, An Exploration of France, this spring. Murray State students were partnered with French students from the University of Burgundy and they met virtually to share  and discuss their cultures. The class focused on several factors of  culture including the importance of family, the role of religion and the importance of language. 

The class INT 204, An Exploration of Food, is being offered this summer.  Steven Guns, senior education abroad advisor, will be teaching this class. The purpose of this class is to teach students about recipes from all over the world and the cultural significance and impact of food around the world.

 The class also looks into access to food and how access is affected by corporate influences. 

“Corporate influence impacts access to food, the fact that India ships its best spices abroad and spices that aren’t as high quality are the ones that are available on the market there which is really problematic for Indians,” Seib said. 

The class INT 202, An Exploration of Britain, will be offered in the fall. This course will discuss topics such as the importance of the royals, the differences in government and the differences in everyday things such as grocery shopping. 

“We are trying to give students a fuller understanding of British culture,” Seib said. “We all think that especially like the English language, ‘Oh, they’re just like us,’ but really they’re nothing at all like us culturally.”

Seib said the classes provide opportunities for students to have some intercultural exposure before they graduate. Since COVID-19 has halted  so many students’ plans of studying  abroad, this is another way to bring intercultural experiences to students. 

In fall 2022 these classes will become part of the new university studies curriculum as electives under the cultural diversity category. They will also serve as electives for gender and diversity study majors and international studies majors. In addition they will serve as the study abroad requirement for honors students because of the pandemic. 

“The France class was a huge success and if they’re successful then we will certainly continue to expand,” Seib said. “We would really love to work with faculty members in the future, for them to offer, to help them where we would perhaps co teach and us do the intercultural content while our faculty members do some more history and other things travel related about a specific country”

Seib said this year has been very difficult for everyone. Hundreds of students had their study abroad plans canceled because of the pandemic. These classes were a way for people to feel hope and to think about traveling. 

The office is hopeful for a normal fall with regards to traveling abroad. The office is looking at fall plans on a daily basis. There are many changing factors to consider, such as the vaccination levels of different countries and the travel regulations in different areas. Seib said students who are vaccinated will have an easier trip with more freedom. 

“We are hoping for a really normal fall,” Seib said. “We have around 25 students who want to get on a plane and they are holding on hoping that will happen and we are too.”