Study abroad, experience an empire

Gonzaga students looking to study abroad in the summer now have the opportunity to travel to Turkey and take courses in religion, history and broadcasting.

Dr. Andrew Goldman, chair of the classical civilization department, is heading up this 30-day summer study abroad experience in Turkey, which gives students the opportunity to study ancient worlds that most people will never dream of experiencing.

"We'll look at how an empire is created and how an empire expands," Goldman said.

Along with Dr. Goldman, who will be teaching History 390 — Origins and Empires, Fr. Stephen Kuder will teach Religion 390 — St. Paul and His World. The third class, Broadcast Studies 303 — Digital Narrative, will be taught by senior lecturer Professor Dan Garrity.

This is not only the first time for a study abroad program in Turkey, but also for these three classes to be combined to offer students a unique way to learn and share their experiences, Garrity said.

Garrity, who has been working in the broadcast program for 24 years, said the Digital Narrative class is designed for any student, not just broadcast majors.

"We will be inspired by something, and it doesn't stop there. Then, you'll learn how to share your inspiration with other people in a very, very clear, articulate and impactful way," Garrity said.

The summer program costs $4,500 for six credits and $6,375 for nine credits. To participate in the program, students are required to take at least six credits.

The cost includes tuition, which is $625 per credit, $750 for museum and tour fees, all breakfasts, 20 dinners, four lunches, accommodations, professional English-Turkish  speaking guide and an International Student Identity Card.

An academic year is $825 per credit, which saves students $260 by studying abroad, according to Dr. Goldman.

 The costs don't include airfare, books, some meals and a Visa. Students are required to have a laptop for the Digital Narrative class.

Applications for Gonzaga-In-Turkey are now available, and the deadline is Dec. 15 or until the program is full. The minimum GPA is a 2.5 and two letters of recommendation are required.

Turkey is a safe and modern country that prides itself  on  hospitality. The tour will be confined to the western portion of Turkey, a long distance from the Iraq and Iran borders.

"Turkey is a very large country, but it also has a very large security apparatus. They've got a very large army, and you'll see lots of soldiers," Goldman said.

The trip will start and end in Istanbul. Participants will cover Constantinople, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Laodicea, Antalya, Antakya, Cappadocia, Hattusha, Ankara and Nicaea.

In the future, they hope to include other Jesuit universities, like Seattle University and the University of San Francisco, according to Goldman.