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As technology allows businesses to become more global, Oakland University understands the immediate need and importance of exposing students to diverse, global experiences. As part of its 2020 vision, Oakland University dedicated itself to securing and encouraging study abroad opportunities for students to help prepare them to be leaders for a global business world. This summer, the College of Arts and Sciences will send several students across the globe including groups to Ghana, China and Israel. Oakland University Music Instructor Mark Stone will take students to Ghana, West Africa as part of a new and unique cultural arts study abroad program through the Center for International Programs and the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. The month long summer program, which runs July 9th through August 6th, will focus on studying the rich visual and performing art traditions of Ghana. “The program will take place at the Dagara Music Center, located just outside the capital of Accra,” said Stone, coordinator of Oakland University’s World Music and Percussion program. “At the center, students will study African music, dance, history and language. We will also travel to visit castles of Ghana's coast and Kakum National Park, as well to cultural sites in Northern Ghana.” Oakland University students will also be traveling to Beijing, China where they will study at the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) – the only institution of higher learning under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. The five week program will immerse the students into China’s culture and language with course topics including Chinese handwriting, pronunciation, grammar and language for daily use. Students will be housed at the CFAU’s International Exchange Center where they will not only interact with Chinese students but students from around the world. Students traveling to Israel will participate in Oakland University’s fourth annual trip to the ancient archeological site of Khirbet Qeiyafa. This area is believed to be the location of the biblical clash between David and Goliath. Students have hands on experience at the dig site and work closely with members of Hebrew University in Jerusalem including renowned archeologist Yosef Garfinkel. “Seeing what I had been studying for months was incredible,” explained Danielle Ager, CAS '11. “I had the rare opportunity to be immersed in a different culture and to get experience working on one of the prominent archeological excavations in Israel.” For more information on these and other Oakland University study abroad programs, visit the International Education website. |
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