COURSE INFORMATION:

Students will have the option of taking between one to three courses for a total of 3-7 credits out of the following courses:

COMM 215: Communication, Identity, and Community (4 credits)
COMM 104: Public Speaking (3 credits)
COMM 336: Presenting and Managing Service Expectations in Tourism (3 credits)

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Southeast Asia seems remote, holding a certain mystique. This aura makes it a popular destination for those seeking an abroad experience that broadens one’s perspective on the world. This program makes extensive use of the region. We will have an opportunity to recognize distinctions between Southeast Asian countries and appreciate the uniqueness of each culture and its subcultures. This program is for the student who wants to move from tourist to traveler. Be ready to gather stories from the woman at the market, from the man who sweeps the restaurant, from the refugee who knows little beyond the camp walls. We will experience volunteering, historic and religious sites, markets, restaurants, and culinary programs as part of regular excursions. We will learn from professionals in the communication/service industry. The courses are designed to offer students the opportunity to advance in their coursework while adding global experience to their resumes. We will improve interpersonal and public speaking skills. We will produce informative, extemporaneous, and persuasive speeches based on our travels. We will write daily in a travel journal connecting our experiences and conversations with others to interpersonal concepts including: uncertainty management, face maintenance, nonverbal communication, service based communication, cultural communication, ethnocentrism, persuasion, efficacy, and social construction. Proposed excursions included in the price: elephant sanctuary, Thai Freedom House service project, rural village stay, market and cooking experience, Monk chat (i.e. You ask questions of the young Monks in training while they practice their English skills), Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Killing Fields, Angkor Wat, and Krabi beach visit.

Note: You will have some free days to travel if you choose. Your flight is not included in the program fee, allowing the opportunity to travel before or after the program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

-Students must have an overall GPA of 2.5
-Students must already possess a valid passport, or be able to obtain a valid passport

PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

Dr. Merissa Ferrara
Department of Communication
ferraramh@cofc.edu
843-425-2781

Prof. Merissa Ferrara has been teaching at the College of Charleston for over 12 years. In 2016, she earned the campus-wide Distinguished Teaching Award. She has traveled to over 40 countries spanning 5 continents. In 2013, she sailed- and taught- around the world, experiencing 13 countries through the Semester at Sea Program. She has either led or co-led College of Charleston study abroad programs in several countries including India, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, and Portugal. She teaches courses in Interpersonal Communication and Health Communication.

Note: For questions regarding on-site program details and course content, please contact the program director. Any inquires regarding application processing, billing, or scholarship opportunities can be directed to the Center for International Education (contact information listed above.

*A minimum number of participants is required for all study abroad programs to run