Faculty-Led Programs

Students will work for four days with the patients and staff of the Giámala Foundation, an organization based in San José, Costa Rica, that aims to give psychological, emotional, and social support to young cancer patients (13 years old and older) who do not have the adequate social support network while receiving treatment. While in San José, students will get a chance to visit some interesting sites in and around Costa Rica’s capital city. The final part of the trip will take place in Monteverde, a small town located North of San José and well-known internationally as a major ecotourism destination. Among other things, students will have an opportunity to hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and visit other places nearby.

Students will be able to receive at least one credit hour of undergraduate-level college credit, satisfy some general education graduation requirements (e.g., Engaged Learning), and the study abroad requirement of Benedictine University’s Spanish major. To be able to participate, students need to be able to communicate in Spanish at the intermediate level. The final cost of the program may change slightly in the following months, but it should be in the range of $3,000. Some students may be eligible to receive some financial assistance and grant money.

Anyone interested in receiving more information should contact Dr. Rafael Iglesias at riglesias@ben.edu.

My name is Carolyn Liesen, and I teach Psychology at Benedictine University. We are very excited to bring you the Holocaust Trip in Europe study abroad program in May 2024. The program will be organized by World Strides Educational Travel.

This year, we will be going to Berlin (Germany), Warsaw and Krakow (Poland), and Prague (Czech Republic). During the program, you will get to learn about the historical events associated with the Holocaust during World War II and visit major historical sites, including the Auschwitz concentration camp. During our travels, you will also have time to explore the beauty and culture that these cities have to offer.

Dates of travel are: May 11-20, 2024. The cost of the program is $2,999 (airfare not included). Please contact me cliesen@ben.edu if you have any questions!

African-American Expats in Paris

Bonjour et Bienvenue a Tous! (Hello and Welcome Everyone!)

I’m Dr. Tsenes-Hills and I teach a myriad of history courses at BenU, but I specialize in African American History, African American Studies, American History and Gender Studies. I have visited and/or lived in Paris since 1982, and I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to share and explore this magical city with you during BenU’s Spring Break 2024.

The trip’s theme: African American Expats in Paris. Via readings, mixed media, research and discussion (at BenU), museum and walking tours, lectures (in Paris), we will discover and learn about the first Black expat community (mid-1700s) and its evolution: enslaved and free African Americans in Paris (antebellum), the African American Renaissance, in the US and its spread to Paris – literature, art, food, music, politics and activism (1920s to mid-1930s), and African Americans’ social, cultural, and military experiences and contributions during WWII. We will pay particular attention to the distinct social and cultural interactions between the Black expat community and various Parisian communities.

Amongst other things, in Paris, we will wander the Jardin des Tuileries, take a walking tour of Montmartre, visit Musee l’Orangerie (the home of Monet’s most majestic paintings), take a private tour of the Musee du Louvre (where we will search for Black images in the most unlikely places), light candles at Notre Dame, have ice cream on Ille St. Louis, picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower, and have dinner while cruising along the river Seine. While in Paris we will also curate an Instagram page to share our daily experiences with friends and family (via blog, photography and video). We will also have a companion joining us, who speaks, reads and writes French, Spanish, Italian and English. If you are interested, please contact me at: ttsenes-hills@ben.edu. The Paris Program cost is approximately $5,000, which covers airfare, accommodations, most meals and tours. We’ll talk about available forms of funding. Merci.

Hi all! I’m Dr. Beezhold and I teach Nutrition and Health Education classes at BenU. I’ve led two study abroad groups to Italy, one in May 2019 and the latest over spring break in March 2022, both based on the 12-week spring course, NUTR 2220 Mediterranean Diet and Health, where nutrition and health science meet food and travel.

In spring break 2024, I’m planning to lead the class to Spain where we’ll explore Spain’s most iconic foods and agricultural sites and visit the cultural sights as well. Our base will be in Madrid, then in Valencia over the 9 days and nights, with day trips to Toledo and Cordoba. The class will be online for weeks 1-8 preceding spring break and back online in weeks 11-12 to wrap up the class. The program cost is $4,925 which covers airfare, accommodations, and most meals. If you’re interested, please contact me at bbeezhold@ben.edu.