Landscape painting in the Greek isles. Studies in Vietnam. Art treasures of Iran. The women of Polynesia. Italy and the literary imagination. The geology of New Zealand. And nature drawing in Costa Rica.
For many travelers, the world is their classroom. And the topics and destinations mentioned are but a brief sampling of learning experiences travelers can encounter throughout the world. Travel, no matter what one does on a trip, is a learning experience. But combine that trip with a topic and you`ll find that you have an unforgettable experience-a vacation that lasts a lifetime.
Education tours are nothing new, but in recent years the offerings have increased.
In addition to the chance to meet and work with people-and the opportunity to get to know an area better than the ”if it`s Tuesday this must be Belgium” experience-educational tours also offer such extras as a lower-cost vacation (college dorms might be used rather than hotel rooms) and the chance to earn college credit. And for those who fear being immersed in books and lectures for their week or two, most tours provide plenty of time for sightseeing and pleasure. There is also a hands-on experience with these courses, as many take place where the topic of the day occurred.
No homework
Except for a few courses developed primarily for college students seeking extra credit, most have no exams, no papers to write and are designed to enhance your knowledge rather than test your ability to learn. Even the classrooms are interesting-ranging from modern cruise ships and classic college halls to the ruins of ancient cities and the wilderness.
”Are you ready to come to Brigadoon?”
That`s a question asked in the Cornell University catalog of summer programs on its Ithaca (Brigadoon), N.Y., campus. With one of the largest summer programs of its kind in the United States, Cornell attracts some 300 adults and children every week to its diverse offerings. While on campus, participants get to use all the facilities, and many are free. A week`s stay, including full room and board, ranges between $650 and $750 a person;
children`s rates begin around $220, and include activities just for them. Like all education offerings, you don`t have to be a Cornell grad to participate-at Cornell only about half are grads; 65 percent are couples and the other 35 percent singles.
This year, the Experiment in International Living, which offers a college semester abroad in 33 countries, will have a course in Vietnam. Normally, students in the programs are housed with local families, but in Vietnam, guesthouses or dormitories may be used. The Vietnam program is being led by John Sommer, author of ”Vietnam: The Unheard Voices.”
Other programs offered by the Experiment in International Living include language, and environmental and service programs for teenagers, conducted in countries around the world.
The American Institute for Foreign Study offers an educational program abroad in countries ranging from England to China and Russia. Courses in the institute`s 250-page catalog range from Chinese studies in Beijing to Spanish language in Spain. Programs are offered for teenagers to adults. More than 500,000 people have participated in programs since the institute`s founding in 1964. The 3- to 12-week programs start at $2,150 and generally include air fare, tuition, meals and accommodations.
A handy catalog for students is the 18th edition of ”Travel” produced by the Council on International Educational Exchange. Besides listings of study tours, it also includes information on foreign travel, including how to get passports and student identity cards.
Among other offerings is an art-historical tour of France, Belgium and Luxembourg with Roger Dunn of Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. Dunn said the tour will focus on art collections and architecture and will also offer lectures before leaving for Europe. The June 28-July 19 tour offers college credits, or may be taken just for pleasure.
At Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Mass., Seminars Study Tours generally include students, alumnae and the general public. Tours are limited to 25 participants. This year`s offerings are Late Gothic Art in Central Europe, May 11-26; and Italy and the Literary Imagination, Oct. 6-15.
On the Big Island of Hawaii, the International Women`s Studies Institute will focus on the lives of Polynesian women past and present, Aug. 2-14. The course is $1,100 plus air fare.
Smithsonian offering
An extensive program domestically and internationally is offered by the Smithsonian Institution as well as the University of California at Los Angeles Extension (some of whose programs take place at the University of Cambridge in England). The University of Massachusetts at Amherst will be offering its 27th summer at Oxford University. The six-week program is taught by British faculty and students live at Trinity College. Professor Normand Berlin of the University of Massachusetts says the program is the oldest American program at Oxford, and the least expensive.
The Summer Abroad Program of the Massachusetts College of Art has been attracting participants aged 18-72 to its programs in Greece, Italy and elsewhere. The art of Costa Rica is just one of the programs offered by Folkways Institute. Others range from discovering the Aegean to weaving and the folk art of Peru.
At the University of New Orleans` European Center at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, participants in three-week credit and non-credit programs will have a choice of six courses ranging from a study of the dramatic changes taking place in Europe to the music of Austria.
Senior citizens have some of the best opportunities for learning. Elderhostel is perhaps the best-known program for those 60 and older (a traveling companion 50 or older may be included). It offers courses in the United States, Canada and 45 other countries.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
For more information on educational tours:
Earthwatch, Box 403, 680 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, Mass. 02272;
617-926-8200.
The Experiment in International Living, Box 676, Kipling Road, Brattleboro, Vt. 05302; 802-257-7751.
The Foundation for Field Research, 787 S. Grade Rd., Box 2010, Alpine, Calif. 92001; 619-445-9264.
Elderhostel, 75 Federal St., Boston, Mass. 02110; 617-426-7788.
Interhostel, University of New Hampshire, 6 Garrison Ave., Durham, N.H. 03824; 800-733-9753.
The European Center, University of New Orleans, Box 1097, New Orleans, La. 70148; 504-286-7484.
Foreign Language/Study Abroad Programs, c/o Louise Harber, Box 5409, GCS, New York, N.Y. 10163; 212-662-1090.
Folkways Institute, 14600 S.E. Aldridge Rd., Portland, Ore. 97236;
800-225-4666.
Swan Hellenic, Esplanade Tours, 581 Boylston St. Boston, Mass. 02116;
800-426-5492.
Cornell Adult University, 626 Thurston Ave., Ithaca, N.Y. 14850;
607-255-6260.
Art Department, c/o Dr. Roger Dunn, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Mass. 02325; 508-697-1359.
Oxford Summer Seminar, Department of English, University of Massachusetts, Professor Normand Berlin, Amherst, Mass. 01003; 413-545-1914.
The Spirit of Massachusetts, Building 1, New England Historic Seaport, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. 02129; 617-242-1414.
University Research Expeditions Program, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. 94720; 510-642-6586.
International Women`s Studies Institute, Box 1067, Palo Alto, Calif. 94302; 415-323-2013.
CET, 1110 Washington St., Lower Mills, Boston, Mass. 02124; 800-225-4262. The Smithsonian Associates and Travel Program, 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20560; 202-357-4700.
The Educated Traveler, Box 220822, Chantilly, Va. 22022; 703-471-1063;
$75 for 10 issues.
American Institute for Foreign Study, 102 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, Conn. 06830; 800-727-AIFS.
Graduate Continuing Education Dept., Massachusetts College of Art, c/o Sue Lane, 621 Huntington Ave., Boston, Mass. 02115; 617-232-1555, ext. 37.
Council on International Educational Exchange, 205 E. 42d St., New York, N.Y. 10017; 212-661-1450. The catalog by mail is $1.
Registrar, Learning Weekend, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Box 1776, Williamsburg, Va. 23187; 804-220-7255.
