By MICHELLE THOMPSON
Converged Media Manager
Want to spend more than just two weeks in a different country on a Maymester?
Ever thought of studying abroad for a whole semester?
Students of Piedmont College have the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Nottingham in England and the University of Paderborn in Germany.
Both universities are partners with Piedmont College, so the students can have a European experience.
The University of Nottingham is located close to the center of England, just a three hour drive from London.
Nottingham is the home of the legend Robin Hood and the Sherwood Forrest.
According to Associate Dean of Math and Professor of English Stephanie Almagno, the University of Nottingham “is internationally known for its school of business,” and all majors have the opportunity to study in Nottingham.
Piedmont partnered with the university back in 2007.
Nottingham has various course options that differ from Piedmont’s offerings.
Some of the differences are large lecture classes that meet once per week and visiting a tutor instead of visiting the professor. The amount of work is different as well.
Almagno said, “The students might have one or two grades for the entire course.”
Piedmont is looking for students who are self-motivated, independent and have strong time-management skills.
The students will also have the chance to meet other students from other countries around the world.
The University of Paderborn is located in the north eastern part of Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Piedmont partnered with the university back in 2013.
The University of Paderborn is known for its coursework in computers, engineering and English.
According to Christoph Ehland, English professor from Paderborn University, the other majors that are offered are international business, media studies, mass communications and popular and classical music.
The University of Paderborn offers a system called the buddy system for students studying abroad.
The student who studies abroad will be assigned to a German student who volunteered to help the American student around the campus and settle in the first few weeks into the accommodation and the German culture.
This is a chance for students to start making new friends in Germany.
Ehland believes that students from Piedmont College should attend the University of Paderborn because there are a lot of histories in the city of Paderborn.
It is also the opportunity to experience and enjoy the German culture.
“One of the advantage of Paderborn is, as city, it is big enough to be exciting, but it’s small enough to be cozy,” Ehland said.
According to Almagno, the University of Nottingham and the University of Paderborn tuitions are equal to Piedmont College’s tuition, which includes room and board and a meal plan serving 19 meals per week.
All of Piedmont’s scholarships, grants and loans can apply to the tuition cost.
However, students will also have to purchase a U.S. passport and health insurance.
The students must also pay for their own airfare and luggage cost.
Almagno would also advise students to save at least $3,000 for living expenses and travel opportunities around and outside of England or Germany.
Any student who has completed 42-75 credit hours with at least a 3.25 GPA is eligible to travel to the University of Nottingham.
This opportunity will give the students of Piedmont College a chance to understand the similarities and differences between the two countries and the U.S.
If you would like to sign up for the study abroad programs, contact Almagno at [email protected].
