The preparation for such a trip is grueling for the faculty as well as the students. She lowers costs by making arrangements for room and board accommodations with a local institute in Tuscany. She leads the language study groups herself. Dr. Rudolfo Garcia leads the classes that focus on Spanish, French and German cultures. Students also learn slang and colloquialisms.
Cultural differences can be a shock for some students when homesickness sets in.
Dr. Clay is there to act as the link to home. Training for this study abroad begins one year before the trip occurs. Students are taught appropriate behaviors for living abroad. These include the practicial skills of obtaining passports, using public transportation and exchanging currency. These are only a sample of the stimulating sites on the Mexico excursion led by Dr. David Conde.