GEL trips are here for 2023-2024!
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. Since the program’s inception in 2000, students have traveled to approximately 30 nations, including Argentina, China, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, and Thailand. The GEL program aims to make the world a learning laboratory for students, providing deep exploration into individual fields of study, the opportunity to understand where the United States fits in terms of the world viewpoint, and the ability to enhance skills in cultural sensitivity, flexibility, and capability to adjust and adapt.
Students apply for these short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If the course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Global Experiential Learning Trips for the 2023-24 Academic Year
OT Arizona RISE Experience
Instructor: Cathy Shanholtz (cshanhol2@su.edu)
Travel dates: Sept. 13-23, 2023
Travel to Arizona to participate in hands-on clinical OT activities with RISE!
RISE provides practical, professional, and personal growth opportunities for children, adults, and their families. Their services focus on moving individuals living in institutions to family settings into supporting adults and children with highly diverse support needs in a wide variety of homes and community-based settings.
OT Idaho RISE Experience
Instructor: Cathy Shanholtz (cshanhol2@su.edu)
Travel dates: Oct. 5-14, 2023
Travel to Boise, Idaho to participate in hands-on clinical OT activities with RISE!
RISE provides practical, professional, and personal growth opportunities for children, adults, and their families. Their services focus on moving individuals living in institutions to family settings into supporting adults and children with highly diverse support needs in a wide variety of homes and community-based settings.
Dublin Esports Experience
Instructor: Alexander Merle-Smith (amerlesm19@su.edu)
Travel dates: Oct. 17-23, 2023
Attend Dublin Gamerfest, visit Project Stryker, and learn more about esports on both international and regional levels!
This GEL program includes attending Dublin Gamerfest, where you will assist in executing esports events, attend, educational panels, visits to nearby universities to learn more about local esports support and infrastructure, and a visit to Project Stryker to get firsthand look in professional international game/esports studio and get behind the scenes look at a live top-tier esports broadcast production.
Audio Engineering Society Convention in New York
Instructor: Golder O’Neill (goneill@su.edu)
Travel dates: Oct. 24-28, 2023
Get up close with industry-related activities, professionals, and manufacturers within the audio industry, and also tour professional recording studios located in NYC!
The Audio Engineering Society Convention is a convention that takes place in New York City (NYC) at the Jacob Javits Centre. It is a four-day event that is comprised of exhibits, workshops, lectures, and presentations pertaining to the audio industry. Also while in NYC, students have the opportunity to visit local recording studios and possible music performances. As a department, the MPRT program has participated in the convention for over twenty years and faculty have led student groups to participate in the event many times.
Indianapolis Sports Outreach
Instructor: Nicholas Doyle (xlv74@su.edu)
Travel dates: Dec. 15-17, 2023
Explore the Indy Classic! Take part in this Division 1 basketball tournament in Indianapolis, while working behind the scenes with the event promoter and Indianapolis Sports Corporation. Learn how to manage and execute a nationally known event.
Survey of Japanese Culture for the Performing Arts
Instructor: Akemi Takayama (atakayam@su.edu)
Travel dates: Jan. 4-15, 2024
Immerse yourself in the culture, history, and performing arts of Japan!
This trip is a rare blend of cultural exploration and performing arts education in diverse settings from ancient to modern Japan, one that promises unforgettable experiences and new friendships. Join us and embrace all that Japan has to offer!
This performing arts-focused GEL program will be offered in two tracks: one for students in Conservatory degree programs and ensembles, and one for students outside the Conservatory who want to gain a deeper understanding of the performing arts from a global perspective.
Through the Lens: A Photographic Journey in Mexico
Instructor: Abigail Gomez (agomez@su.edu)
Travel dates: Jan. 10-17, 2024
This GEL trip will take SU learners to the metropolis of Mexico City, the magical town of Oaxtepec, and the natural wonder of Tolantongo, Mexico.
Watch this video to see some of the places and activities you will experience on this GEL!
Throughout our travels, the trip will focus on the art of photography, as learners explore the juxtaposition of ancient and modern, natural and man-made elements from the most populous city in North America to the state of Hidalgo, and the state of Morelos.
While discovering the elements and principles of art and design through the medium of photography, learners will also have the opportunity to visit ancient cultural sites and museums, participate in the culinary arts, visual arts and traditional craft, and dance during a variety of workshops, among other exciting experiences.
PALM Arts Leadership Institute in Greece
Instructor: David Edelman (dedelman@su.edu)
Travel dates: Jan. 11-19, 2024
The PALM Arts Leadership Institute is an 8-day journey to Greece to explore both ancient and modern culture, to engage in conversations with leading EU and Greek cultural leaders, and to expand student’s understanding of leadership in the performing arts.
The Arts Leadership Institute is an 8-day experience in Greece, which will include time in Athens and excursions to the north and south, such as visits to the 2nd millennium city of Mycenae and the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the seaside town of Nafpoli, and the ancient city of Corinth. Workshops and discussions with European cultural leaders, attendance at performances, and museum and cultural site admissions are included, as are most meals, hotel accommodations (double room occupancy), and local travel.
Jazz & Commercial Music Studies Peru Tour
Instructor: Matthew Niess (mniess@su.edu)
Travel dates: Jan. 14-23, 2024
Travel to Peru for performances, cultural exchange and visits to Lima and other ventures to Huaca Pucllana, Larco Museum, Plaza San Miguel, Afroperuvian Museum, Paracas, Huacachina, Barranco District, Ancon or San Juan for Sol y Deo Experience. Perform for and interact with young students who live in a very challenging area but play string instruments through the life-changing work of volunteer teachers. Perform and work with Peruvian musicians learning the Afro-Peruvian Jazz style.
Global Health Programming in Belize
Instructor: Audra Gollenberg (agollenb@su.edu)
Travel dates: May 20-28, 2024
Come explore the health experience of Belizeans and global health programming through guided tours, speaking engagements from healthcare/government officials and hands-on workshops!
Learn how ancient medicine is still practiced by natural healers in the Mayan community as well how vector-borne disease is controlled, dietary modification to manage diabetes mellitus, and how community health workers are changing the health experience for rural Belizeans! Complete the experience with an excursion to Blue Hole National Park!
Faculty GEL Program Proposal
Do you have a GEL course that you would like to create? Propose it now!
