The business course was listed as “International Business” (BUS 280) and was offered for three hours of credit. No
prerequisites were required for enrollment. Course readings were articles taken from periodicals (both from journals and
newspapers). Students were required to attend seven lectures (each of three hours), four before the trip and three afterward.
While abroad, they were required to visit a specified set of locations, and after returning, they completed a project that served
as the basis for their course grade.
As for the cost of the trips, most students paid “out of pocket.” We worked to keep the trips affordable and believe that the
experience was well worth the cost. Of course, the tuition for the course itself was covered by some students’ financial aid
benefits. However, we recognize that the cost can be prohibitive for some students, so we are working toward more
scholarship funding for students. Thus far, our college’s Student Activities fund sponsored two partial scholarships (each
covering one-half of the cost of a trip) for the business management class in 2004.
Our classes were not the first involving international travel to be offered at SVCC. For several years, SVCC has participated in
a program in which students travel to Bath, England during the summer and take courses in literature and history. While our
comments in this article are based specifically on our own experiences, other instructors who have led student groups to
different locations while offering courses in other disciplines could doubtless add to the observations we are making. We
believe that nearly anyone associated with a community college that offers courses involving international travel can benefit
from such experiences. This applies most of all to our students, but is also true for the community members who accompany
us as well as the participating faculty members.