Adventures in NEC J-Term 2011

Nine students joined professors Bryan Partridge, Susan Redditt, and Andrew Morgan for one week in Jinotega, Nicaragua. The group volunteered with Orphanage Outreach, a nonprofit organization providing opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children that would otherwise be unavailable to them. NEC student Kim Liaboe shares, “We worked on community construction projects, taught children in an early childhood education center, and learned a great deal about the Nicaraguan culture and history.”

The program in Jinotega is Orphanage Outreach’s newest; working with preschools in poor communities, offering learning opportunities and a nutrition program to local children. According to the Outreach Orphanage website, “some of these children would end up in an orphanage environment without this type of support.“

Cindi Nadelman, Associate Professor of Business and Comupter Information Systems was the group leader for a short-term study abroad trip to Greece. She was accompanied by professors Inez McDermott, Martha Donovan, and Phil Huckins; 10 undergraduate students; and four alumni.  Six courses were offered representing as many departments: AR 1990: The Art and Culture of Athens; BU 1990: Exploring Tourism in Greece; ED 1990: History of Education; EC 1990: Economic Thoughts of Ancient Greeks; SRM 3990: Exploring Olympic History in Greece; and WR 1990: Travel Journaling.

The group’s nine day journey took them to Athens, Delphi, Patras, Olympia, Argolida, Epidaurus, Mycenae, the Corinth Canal, and included a cruise to the Saronic islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. Martha Donovan, Professor of  Writing, shares, “One of my favorite memories is racing/running 20 meters on the original Olympics track in Olympia. I came in last but still felt like a winner! I am blessed to have had this chance to travel with this crew.”

In Belize, 16 students joined professors Eric Simon and Deb Dunlop for a ten-day research trip; a culmination of the fall 2010 Tropical Marine Biology course. During their stay, the group participated in beach clean-ups; collecting, sharing, and analyzing data; designing methodology and techniques associated with coral species investigation; snorkeling; and experiencing the local culture.

Lauren Kirouac, a junior and health science major at NEC, went on the trip to “learn about the organisms and lifestyle of Belize.” Lauren reports, “nothing compared to the snorkeling. The organisms were absolutely beautiful! This journey was an experience of a lifetime and an amazing way to learn about marine biology.”