Eric Iberri
Staff Writer

University of La Verne students traveled to Costa Rica, Italy and South Africa during the January interterm and in doing so were able to satisfy certain course requirements by taking these trips.

Professors of Biology Jay Jones and Jeffrey Burkhart coordinated the Costa Rica trip, fulfilling CORE 310 and 340.

“While biology was central to the course, the focus was on how a third-world country, such as Costa Rica, deals with issues related to sustainability,” Burkhart said.

Students went on boat trips, hikes, wildlife viewings and night walks for reptiles, all while taking photographs of their findings.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor of Education Lisa Porter and Campus Minister Debbie Roberts led the trip to South Africa. This two-week trip fulfilled CORE 310 and/or CORE 320.

“The fact that the trip cost $4,000 (including two days in London), put some of the students out of the running,” Roberts said. “But I always tell students not to let the cost deter them, as it is a life-changing experience you can't get anywhere else, and loans are always available.”

The South Africa students took a small detour during their trip to visit the childhood home of sophomore Tiffanie Sigal’s father.

“It was an emotional and moving experience for all of us, to have Tiffanie visit with the owner of the home where her father had grown up,” Roberts said.

Professor of English Kenneth Scambray coordinated the 16-day Italy trip. He chose Italy because it is a part of his research and writing.
The trip is used as part of a year-long course, for both English 409 and CORE 310.

The University has encouraged teachers to make use of the January interterm for innovative courses and travel courses, Scambray said. But these January trips are no ordinary vacations.

“There’s a six month preparation prior to the (Italy) trip,” Scambray said.
Students read two travel books and prepared a three-page itinerary before departing.

“Even with all the work we did, it was still a lot of fun,” said Cristina Oseguera-Perez, a senior communications major. “During the summer with the readings and papers you might question if it is worth it, but it is worth all the work.”

The Italy students followed their itinerary and were also able to sightsee.
Rome, Florence, Siena and Venice were just some of the cities the students visited.

“There were some political protests, which made the streets more packed than usual, so that was interesting,” Oseguera-Perez said.
Despite the crowds, Oseguera-Perez’s experience was one she will not forget.

“For me just seeing all of the sites in person was exciting, it's really different from any video or book,” she said.

Eric Iberri can be reached at eiberri@ulv.edu.