BCA offers cultural experience to students

by Vicky Martinez
Staff Writer

With the goal of broadening students' exposure to different cultures, the Brethren Colleges Abroad program at the University of La Verne sends about 32 students a semester to study in foreign countries.

During the year 2001, hundreds of U.S. college students traveled to the ten countries that participate in the BCA program -- England, Spain, Greece, Germany, France, Ecuador, India, Japan, China and Mexico.

"The BCA program hosts hundreds of students from all over the United States," said Al Clark, chairman of the program at ULV.

The program gives priority to juniors and seniors who need to fulfill a language requirement. However, all ULV students are welcome to participate in this program, Clark said adding that a minimum grade point average of 2.5 is also required. Language majors also get priority placement.

Clark said that England, Greece, Spain and France are the favorite countries of American students. But the BCA program is expanding to Asia and Africa, he added.

African studies will offer an opportunity for those wanting to explore more complex and distinct cultures, he said.

"Before my study abroad experience, I had never dreamed of leaving my corner of the world," said Angela Perry, 20, a junior majoring in Marketing with a minor in Music. "Since then, however, I have realized the importance of cultural exposure and I simply cannot explain how my life has been transformed from the inside-out. Only now am I equipped with the tools that will enable me to think outside the box."

Perry studied abroad during the fall term 2001. She, along with other ULV students flew to England a week after the Sep. 11 attacks. She said it gave her another perspective on the world.

"I was terribly afraid, but I knew I had to overcome my fear and do what I had to do," she said, adding that most of the BCA participants felt the same way.

Regarding the Sept. 11 attacks, Clark said that BCA is taking greater security measures to protect all American citizens abroad and that security is a priority of the program.

Norma Hernandez, 20, a junior international studies major, also participated in the BCA program last fall.

Hernandez traveled to Barcelona, Spain. "I would recommend it to other students because it was a life altering experience, in whatever perspective you see it," Hernandez said. She said it is easy and inexpensive to travel around Europe when you are already there. While studying abroad Hernandez visited other European countries such as France, England, Italy and Germany.

"I was fascinated by every aspect of Europe because every country has its own cultural structure," Hernandez said.

Clark recommends that students who go abroad travel as much as they can while there because it's such a wonderful opportunity.

For more information about the ULV study abroad program, contact Al Clark, associate vice president of academic affairs, at ext. 4240 or clarka@ulv.edu.