By PATRICK HENDRIX
Staff Writer
Maymester 2014 is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start considering the options available to you. Regardless of your major, every trip is open to any Piedmont student interested in attending. While each trip has a particular focus, students shouldn’t shy away from a trip because it does not involve their major. Every trip offers a unique cultural experience regardless of its intended learning focus.
The trips included this year are domestic trips to Rabun County and Alaska, as well as international trips to Germany, Ireland, France, Japan, Peru and Czech Republic/Germany.
Lee Summerall, a business administration major, attended the trip to Spain last year.
“I would definitely go back,” said Summerall. “It is an absolute trip of a lifetime. You do so much that you wouldn’t even anticipate. You get to see so much. You just learn a lot about the culture that you can’t learn in a book and the sites can’t be covered in a book.”
All trips include tuition for two undergraduate classes, round-trip airfare, two meals per day, transportation, a hotel and admission to all events.
Domestic trips cost $3,864 plus a $300 down payment. International trips cost $3,864 plus a $500 down payment. The Japan trip costs $3,864 plus a $1,000 down payment due to the higher cost of airfare.
If any of these prices seem a bit steep, first consider this. You are paying for the trip of a lifetime, in addition to 6 credit hours. When looked at in this way, you’ll realize how good a deal the trips really are.
If the price still seems high, financial aid is more than willing to work with students.
As far as payments go, a $50 deposit is due by October break to reserve a spot. The remainder of the deposit is due by Christmas break. The trip needs to be paid in full by spring break.
Julia Schmitz, biology professor, has been on several Maymester trips.
“It’s an experience of a lifetime,” said Schmitz. “You get to see another place while also getting college credit,” said Schmitz. “It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone. I got to eat food I never would of eaten before; I got to eat octopus and eel.”
While octopus and eel may not be for everyone, just the chance to experience another culture is something no able bodied person should pass up.
Each trip has something unique to offer, whether it is the ancient Inca site Machu Pichuu in Peru, the sandy beaches of Barcelona or the rolling hills of Ireland, you will find something that interests you.
For more information on each particular trip you can contact Stephanie Almagno at [email protected].
