In the Bleak Midwinter
Moscow in the dead of winter. Not the typical vacation destination. But one that several UNH students are considering for winter break this year.
“How cool of a cultural experience would that be to say I experienced Moscow mid-winter?” asks senior Conor McGuire. Junior Ali Gennaro agrees: “I love the snow and the cold. I’m just excited to see a totally different culture and at a different time of year than most tourists.”
Conor and Ali will accompany Moscow native and UNH lecturer Ekaterina Burvikova to Russia where they will study language and culture—and earn credits, taking advantage of this year’s new January term study abroad options.
The University instituted a January term for the first time last year, offering online and classroom-based courses during a three-week period between semesters. Student participation was significant. Expanding upon the idea of short, intensive academic experiences, the College has added several study abroad courses to its January offerings this year. Now students can take courses in Costa Rica, London, Montreal, or Moscow.
Students are definitely interested. The inter-semester timing of January term provides unique advantages for some. Ali, whose Russian studies were interrupted, will brush up on the language in Moscow before commencing coursework in the spring. Freshman James Angarola is using the Montreal program to advance more quickly through the typical language course sequence. He’ll move into his first intermediate-level course in the spring, “a great yet challenging alternative” to a second semester of elementary work, says James. On the other hand, Anne Ferrante and Henry Bowen, also freshmen, view the Montreal program as a way to kick-start their study of French. Neither has taken French before. They see immersion in Montreal as a fun, effective, and convenient way to begin.
January term may be the best or only way for some students to fit study abroad into their schedules. The demands of a major, a desire to pursue a double major, or a need to earn a certain number of credits can make a semester abroad difficult. Taking a summer program abroad often interferes with employment. For these undergraduates, January term provides an opportunity not otherwise available.
And then some students just want to keep busy over the long break. As Henry puts it, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, “I figure going to Montreal is better than sitting around at home for three weeks with nothing to do.”
Liberal Arts Dean Kenneth Fuld is pleased with the new offerings. “The College is furthering the University’s strategic initiative of internationalizing UNH by providing new and exciting learning opportunities for students. And these are excellent programs: they are built around solid UNH courses for UNH credit taught by experienced UNH faculty members. Students will be in good hands,” says Fuld.
—Susan Dumais
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