International Experiences
Important Announcement about the Spring 2020 International Trips
Over the weekend, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issued its “Guidance for Student Foreign Travel for Institutions of Higher Education.” The Guidance asked institutes of higher education to consider postponing or canceling student foreign exchange or study abroad programs, cautioning that students abroad may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, and challenges in returning home or accessing healthcare while abroad.
Upon reviewing this information and evaluating options, the President’s Council came to the difficult decision that it was in the best interest of Cottey students and the campus community to cancel the international experiences to both Poland and Germany.
The College places tremendous value on how the international experience enhances a student’s education and development here at Cottey, which makes this decision especially difficult. For the entire campus, this is a disappointment, but a needed one in order to carry out appropriate precautionary measures and best protect everyone involved.
For those students who will not be able to take part in this year’s international experience and who continue as enrolled students at Cottey next year, the College will provide the opportunity to attend the Athens experience next year.
Realizing this decision may interrupt spring break plans for students and cause logistical difficulties during the coming weeks, we are providing the following on-campus services to students in order to aid as best we can.
- Housing: All students who were expecting to be part of the international experience and need housing over spring break will be provided housing at no additional cost. Please contact Cindy Spencer by 12 p.m. Friday, March 6, to make arrangements.
- Dining Services: Students staying on campus will be served a scaled-down breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout spring break.
- The Library and Hinkhouse will be open for student use.
Staff will be available today, Wednesday, March 4, from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in Raney Dining Room to help answer any questions you may have regarding the trip and your next steps. The College is also providing answers to several anticipated questions below, and hopes this information is helpful.
- Will there be a shuttle service to get to the airport?
Answer: Those who were scheduled to attend the trip will have their fees waived for the airport shuttle service to Kansas City for both the departure time and return time. Students who are interested must contact Shaun West by 12 p.m. Friday, March 6.
- Shuttle departures available
- 6 a.m., Saturday, March 7 (students must arrive by 5:45 a.m. to load)
- 6 a.m., Sunday, March 8 (students must arrive by 5:45 a.m. to load)
- Shuttle returns available
- 7 p.m., Saturday, March 21
- 8 p.m., Sunday, March 22
- What trip-related expenses can I be reimbursed for?
Answer: We will be reimbursing students for their costs of the modules, additional costs for the Poland experience, and any costs incurred associated with changing international airline tickets for the second week of travel.
- Do tuition or fees cover part of travelling? Can I get those funds back?
Answer: The international experience is paid for by a separate endowment overseen by the Board of Trustees. No tuition or fees are used to pay for the costs of the experience.
- If I have questions, who should I contact?
Answer: Dr. Landon Adams, Office of Student Life, 417-667-8181, ext. 2126
Travel the World. It’s On Us!
Pictured above: Cottey students traveled to Barcelona, Spain, in spring 2019. Dr. Gary Lunkenheimer, left, and Dr. Tammy Ogren, far right, both business faculty, accompanied the students, as did several other faculty and staff.
Here Travel is Education
We believe every student deserves a global education, and the best way to do that is to travel to another country. At Cottey, sophomore level students (28-56 credits) and transfer students (after completion of 24 credits at Cottey) will have the opportunity to spend the first week of spring break visiting a European city with classmates and faculty, learning about art, history, science and culture. There is no extra tuition fee for the trip and Cottey pays for your airfare and hotel. You’re only responsible for meals, insurance, and incidentals.
Cottey Women Around the World
Florence, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London, Madrid, New Zealand, Thailand, Tanzania, Japan, Guatemala…oh so many places in the world Cottey women have been!
Semester Study Abroad
Anita Kamwendo ’19 and Mason Keefe ’19 studied in Osaka, Japan, for a semester. They visited sites around the area, including Japan’s first capital, Nara. The city has many temples and artwork dating to the 8th century. The Shinto shrine Kasuga Taisha, which dates to 768 A.D., has more than 3,000 lanterns
Some of our baccalaureate students spend a semester or more overseas. They take courses for credit, and develop a truly international perspective. Our students have studied in Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Africa, Ghana, Spain, France, the UK, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile) and one spent an entire semester studying at sea, comparing cultures at port cities around the world. You can view more information on our semester study abroad page.
2020 Destinations
Cottey students will travel to Munich and Poland in 2020!
2021 Destinations
Cottey students will travel to Athens, Greece and China!