Students to recap Eastern European travel experiences

They blogged about it, took hundreds of photographs and posted hours of video detailing their experiences in Eastern Europe. Now the  17 Emporia State University students who participated in the Study Abroad – Global Leadership tour will be sharing their stories during a presentation set for Monday, June 22 at 3 p.m. in the Sauder Alumni Center, 1500 Highland St. in Emporia.

The students left Emporia May 17 for a Study Abroad – Global Leadership tour of Estonia, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. They returned June 5.

The Study Abroad – Global Leadership program integrates the study of leadership within a study abroad experience. “The course gives students the opportunity to experience and gain knowledge to develop leadership skills for an ever-changing world,” explained Dr. Patricia Neufeld, professor of special education and school counseling. Accompanying Neufeld on the trip were Dr. Tes Mehring, provost and vice president for academic affairs and student life, and Dr. Jim Williams, associate provost for enrollment management and vice president for strategic partnerships.

The group was hosted by the University of Tartu, ESU’s sister institution in Estonia, and Lithuanian Christian University in Klaipeda, Lithuania. The students made presentations in Estonian and Lithuanian high schools on American culture and democracy, and also took part in several service learning projects.

Students participating in the Study Abroad excursion included Kristina Boos, a crime and delinquency studies major from Topeka; Kristina Bramwell, social sciences major from Spivey; John Eccles, business major from Broken Arrow, Okla.; Sarah Francis, elementary education major from Overland Park; Naomi Gonzalez, business administration major from Emporia; Lacee Hanson, communications major from Emporia; Jonathan Krueger, political science major from Bentley; Jaclyn Lane, business administration major from Liberal; also

Whitney McGinnis, integrated studies major from Oskaloosa; Michelle McHenry, integrated studies major from Belle Plaine; Lauren Padgett, communication major from Overland Park; Taylor Relph, communication major from Wichita; Natalie Skaggs, elementary education major from Gardner;  Marcus Summers, psychology and health education major from Fairview; Nikaela Swarner, elementary education major from Shawnee; Amy Tenpenny, management major from Overland Park, and Eden Tullis, English major from Oswego.

Last Updated June 12, 2009>