Service Learning Students in the Language Department can also gain valuable experience in the context of another culture by participating in one of Aquinas College's Service Learning programs, which are jointly taught by Language and other faculty. The Service Learning Programs consist of a one-semester course, in English or in the target language, focusing on the history and culture of the country to be visited. At the end of the semester, students and their professors travel to the country they have studied in order to perform valuable, ongoing community and humanitarian services sponsored by Aquinas College. For students of Spanish, there is an annual course on and trip to Oaxaca, Mexico in the Fall term. For students of French, there is a course on and trip to Haiti in the Spring term.
Many students feel that even a semester abroad poses prohibitive financial difficulties.
While there are numerous financial resources that can be explored, full-time students also have the possibility of both working and studying abroad. Working in another country offers students a unique challenge and very valuable experiences from within another culture. Students may also consider spending a year or semester of study abroad while working part-time as an a u pair. While these positions are not usually paid, they normally provide free housing and some meals, which may help defray the costs of study abroad.