Issue date: 7/7/09 Section: News

Eastern Illinois University students Erin Wise, Ashley Nolan and Dagmara SoKol are accompanied by English professor Dagni Bredesen and history professor Newton Key on their study abroad trip to Harlaxton College during Spring 2009. (Submitted by Newton Key)

Study abroad often brings to mind images of students under the Eiffel Tower or on the Great Wall of China.

It isn't just students who take advantage of Eastern's study abroad program.

Two professors, Newton Key of the history department and Dagni Bredesen of the English department, have recently returned from teaching at England's Harlaxton College.

Ruth Hoberman, Chris Hanlon and Francine McGregor, all English professors, have recently been chosen for the Spring 2011 semester.

"I expect to get as much or more out of it as the students do," said Les Hyder, a journalism professor who will also be teaching at Harlaxton College for the Spring 2011 semester. "I enjoy teaching classes that have a great diversity of students."

Guest professors teach three classes, a work load similar to a regular semester at Eastern. With teaching and other activities the experience isn't all vacation.

"It was more work than I thought it was going to be," Key, who helped coach the school's basketball team, said.

While Key and Bredesen were there, Harlaxton experienced a very heavy snowfall, a rarity.

"It snows that heavily so rarely they have no snow moving equipment," Key said of the unique experience. "It was magical."

The University of Evansville in Indiana owns Harlaxton College, and it is located in a 153-room manor house.

The school is located near transportation services, allowing students and faculty to travel around Europe while studying abroad.

"The professors did what students do; we traveled on the weekends," Key said. "It was really quite an adventure."

Key teaches British history at Eastern.

"Going there was like going home for me," he said.

Hyder considers study abroad an important experience for college students.

"We need, as faculty, to encourage students to broaden their experiences," he said. "Hopefully that first hand experience will bring some context to what they are learning."

Students at Harlaxton College are required to take a British studies course taught by the regular Harlaxton professors.

Visiting professors are encouraged to attend the lectures as well.

"Once I was there, it was kind of fun," Key said of the early morning history lessons.

Around 20 percent of the approximately 300 Eastern students who study abroad each year go to England.

"England is one of our most popular programs," Elizabeth Gergits said. Gergits is a graduate assistant in the study abroad office.

The study abroad office offers grants to some students. The 2008-2009 school year is the first time they were available.

In a rapidly changing world, study abroad is gaining a new significance.

"Global interconnectivity is going to increase every year," Hyder said. "The reality is a lot of Eastern students have not traveled extensively."

Students from every major and background can benefit from the experience, but there is one common thread amongst them.

"All of our students want to broaden their horizons, and they all have a spirit of adventure in them," Gergits said.

Sarah Ruholl can be reached at 581-7943 or at seruholl2@eiu.edu.

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