The Program

The Central European Travel Seminar offers a hands-on understanding of the history and culture of Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Latvia.

You will explore the roots of the East-West conflict between Christian Europe and the Islamic world at Vienna and Budapest in the 17th century and observe the German "Drang nach Osten" in Prague. Berlin, Dresden and Warsaw will be the venue for our understanding the Second World War; a visit to Auschwitz will make real the horrors of Nazism. Reminders of the Cold War and collapsed Soviet power can still be found in Berlin, Prague, Warsaw and Riga.

In addition to the history, you will experience the cultures of Central Europe, through music, art, architecture and cuisine. You will hear the music of Mozart and Chopin in concert halls and opera houses, and see the works of the old & new masters of art in Dresden and Vienna. You will glimpse the souls of the people of Central Europe at the ancient Jewish cemetery in the ghetto of Prague, the great churches in Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, Riga and the pilgrimage site of the Black Madonna at Czestachowa.

Dr. Paulis Lazda of the UW-Eau Claire History department and Dr. Irene Lazda of the Foreign Languages department will lead the seminar. You will travel on a program bus from Berlin to Riga. Overnight stays are in youth hostels, inexpensive hotels, and at least one dungeon!

Location

The tour includes visits to Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, Auschwitz, Warsaw, and Riga.

EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE!

Because the travel seminar is only 3 weeks long and is at the end of the summer, you may wish to combine it with a fall study abroad program in Europe. After all, you will have already paid for your international airfare! The seminar ends in Riga; you could stay and study (in English) for fall semester at the University of Latvia. Other possibilities with no language requirements include programs in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Courses

All students on the seminar will earn three credits of History 280, History Travel Seminar. This is a GE-IVC category class and fulfills 3 credits of the foreign culture requirement.

Academic Calendar

Tentative dates for Summer 2008 seminar are July 30 to August 25. Exact dates will be set during fall semester.

Expenses

The estimated Summer 2008 Wisconsin resident fee is $4,760 for 12 participants; $4,400 for 15 participants.  This includes 3 credits of UW-Eau Claire tuition, CISI insurance, housing (in multiple person rooms), two meals/day, entrance fees/tickets to all group activities, transportation within and between cities, and administrative fees. Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity; non-residents add $900 for out-of-state fees. 

Additional costs: passport, one meal/day, personal expenses and international airfare.  Estimate an additional $2,000 for these items. 

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $6,400-$6,760, depending on participant numbers. Cost estimates may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Central European Travel Seminar participants earn 3 credits. At 3 credits, however, you are considered "less than halftime" for summer financial aid; so housing, meals and personal expenses cannot be included in your financial budget. Less than halftime students are not eligible for a Direct Ford Loan but may be considered for a Perkins Loan.

If aid eligibility is an important factor in your study abroad budget, you may wish to enroll for an additional 2 or more credits during the 2008 summer session in order to have "halftime or more" status for aid.

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs.   You can learn about options, including a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation;  a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors at http://www.uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm


Eligibility

Currently enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate UW-Eau Claire students may apply. A minimum GPA of 2.3 and good academic standing are required. You may apply as a freshman but must have at least sophomore standing by the time the program begins.


Application Deadline

Applications for Summer 2008 are accepted beginning September 4, 2007. The priority application deadline for Summer 2008 is November 15, 2007.

Complete applications will be reviewed after these dates.  Late applications will be considered if space on the program is still available.  Please contact the Center for International Education before submitting a late application. No applications will be accepted after January 15, 2008 for Summer 2008.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Comments

I cannot put into words how much this trip has changed me. It was such a memorable experience and I learned so much that you cannot get from a textbook. Europe is an amazing place full of so many different new things…it was excellent! ---Claire-past participant

The travel Seminar is an opportunity to learn about Europe from a couple who not only know the history of it, but who have also seen it and participated in it. --- John-past participant

It was the adventure of a lifetime. We were so lucky to have the Lazdas because they are such dedicated, knowledgeable and caring people. They always encouraged us to experience every aspect of the host culture and helped us do so. I will never forget what I’ve learned about myself and the history of East Central Europe. ---Melissa-past participant

It was one of the best experiences of my life. I got to see all the places I had always dreamed about seeing and I saw it all in 3 ½ weeks. It was great to experience other cultures and it only whets my appetite to come back to all the places we visited. ---Megan-past participant

Additional Information

For more information or an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu