January Interim Offers BVU Students Variety of Experiences

Related Media

BVU students in Prague, the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.

STORM LAKE, IA (01/30/2017)(readMedia)-- Many Buena Vista University (BVU) students explored a wide array of personal interests during this year's January Interim -a three-week program that gives students the opportunity to take travel courses, enroll in enriching classes on campus and participate in internships.

Travel

Four domestic and international travel courses were offered to students this year, enabling them to further explore their academic interests and broaden their cultural and global perspectives. In addition, the university sponsored its annual "Global Fellows" trip to Chile.

Eleven students embarked on an international trip to Europe, where they experienced the cultural heritage of several cities including Amsterdam, Prague, Munich, Salzburg, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Paris and London. "The Europe trip allows students to get a taste of a multitude of different cultures in a brief amount of time," said Swasti Bhattacharyya, professor of philosophy and religion and faculty co-leader of the trip.

Others students traveled to Phoenix, which gave them a real-world perspective toward a career in sports management. Throughout the two-week trip, students visited with marketing and management professionals at major sports organizations such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Coyotes. "Students received helpful career advice and made connections that will be valuable as they look to begin their careers," said Jennifer Hecht, assistant professor of accounting and co-leader of the trip.

Students also visited theme parks in Florida to examine effective storytelling and how "Walt Disney's Way" can be used in any field or career, while others immersed themselves in Peruvian culture. This year's Global Fellows spent Interim near the southernmost city in the world, Puerto Williams, Chile, reexamining how the world treats its ecosystem and making global environmental connections.

Enriching courses

Several BVU students chose to stay on campus during Interim, immersing themselves in unique topics that are not typically offered throughout the regular academic year.

Students enrolled in the Opera Workshop course were guided through the proper techniques that are needed to carry out performances of the famed operas "Gianni Schicchi" by Giacomo Puccini and "The Medium" by Gian Carlo Menotti. "My hope is that the experience has provided students with a greater appreciation for the arts, particularly opera," said David Walker, assistant professor of theatre, who is directing "Gianni Schicchi." Matt Schulz, a senior theatre and vocal performance double major from Waverly, is directing "The Medium," while musical direction for both operas is by Dr. Merrin Guice, assistant professor of vocal music. The course culminates with a series of productions at BVU in Anderson Auditorium Feb. 8-11.

Other courses tapped into students' creative abilities, including How to Become a Recording Artist and Creativity Bootcamp.

Internships

Over 90 BVU students chose to refine their skills by spending January interning at places such as the Iowa Cubs, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Meredith VanZuiden, a senior corporate communications major from Carroll, spent Interim in Des Moines and worked as a social media and public relations intern with The Integer Group. "I got to do a lot of creative things with my team such as brainstorming campaigns for clients, optimization of social sites, writing post copy and auditing accounts."

About Buena Vista University

Celebrating 125 years of service.

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. BVU is an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges. Visit www.bvu.edu.

###