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.
Below is current list of GEL programs being offered for the 2017-2018 academic year. For details, contact the faculty leader via email.
Global Experiential Learning Trips for the 2018-2019 Academic Year
Proposals for 2018-2019 are currently underway. Please check back at the beginning of the fall semester for a full listing of available GEL programs.
Cultural Explorations of Cuba
This course is suitable for graduate students and seniors with 90 plus credits.
Montressa Washington | mwashing2@su.edu, Lisa Darsch | ldarsch@su.edu & Dave Darsch (Entrepreneur in Residence) | ddarsch@su.edu
The explosive changes in Cuba and the private business sectors has brought both opportunities and challenges to new and seasoned entrepreneurs as well as the health care delivery. The Entrepreneur & Nursing Exchange program is packed full of People-to-People exchange activities and combines the opportunity to learn and experience Cuba’s art, music, dance, and history, while focusing on entrepreneurship and nursing in Cuba. This new program presents a unique learning experience in each area. The nursing and business students will spend the majority of their time together. However, during the trip nursing students will have the opportunity to meet local Cuban physicians and nurses, visit nursing facilities, and learn about Cuba’s healthcare system. The business/entrepreneur students will get a first hand look at Cuba and meet local business owners, discuss challenges, marketing, financial options, and visit local Cuban facilities. Students will also enjoy the beauty of Havana, Cuba and get a chance to learn about Cuban culture and history.
Summer Arts Leadership Institute
This program is suitable for those interested in exploring arts management in an international setting.
David Edelman | dedelman@su.edu
The Summer Arts Leadership Institute will bring together American and European students for a 10-day intensive program in international and intercultural issues facing future arts leaders. The Institute will be hosted at the American University of Greece in Athens and will feature discussions with European cultural leaders, four half-day study tours of Athens, a guided day-long tour of Epidaurus and Mycenae, attendance at four evening performances in Athens, and even a leadership day at the beach.
Experiential Learning In Haiti
This program is suitable for graduate Physical Therapy students.
Michelle Wiley | mwiley@su.edu
This non-traditional clinical rotation takes place in Jacmel, Haiti. Our group will treat patients in an in-patient setting and also in a school based setting. Visits to rural homes and schools will also take place. Community Coalition for Haiti is the host organization and the group will be exposed to serial casting, equipment fabrication, and Inter professional interactions with nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and teachers.
Nicaragua Medical Mission Trip
This program is suitable for graduate Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies students.
Tony Miller | amiller@su.edu
This is the 13th annual medical mission trip to Leon, Nicaragua. The inter-professional team consisting of community physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pharmacy faculty, as well as students, embarks on a trip to provide medical care to those in need. The emphasis of the trip is General Medicine, Women’s Health, and Oral Health. Applicants to this program must be graduate students in the health professions (PA, PT, OT, Pharmacy).
Exploring Global Health and Policy Development
This program is suitable for graduating seniors and graduate health professions students.
Lisa Darsch | ldarsch@su.edu & Michelle Gamber | mgamber@su.edu
Students travel to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Assembly (WHA) to learn more about global health policy and explore the diverse cultural regions of Switzerland. Students write issues briefs in preparation for the trip, and then, when in Switzerland, see how policy is discussed and developed in the global landscape.
Faculty GEL Program Proposal
Do you have a GEL course that you would like to create? Propose it now!
