Assistant Professor Amanda Lewis-Nang’ea and students. (Provided photo)
SUNY Geneseo recently launched the Travel After Commencement (TAC) study abroad opportunity that provides students with more time in the field while saving tuition costs for a faculty-led international experience.
Students complete a spring semester course with an option to participate in the international study component after the semester ends. There are several benefits, says Emily McCrossen, associate director of study abroad at SUNY Geneseo. It can be economical, she says, because there is no extra tuition associated with the course for full-time students. Faculty-led summer study abroad programs include a tuition charge of $295 per credit hour, so the new model eliminates that cost. Students also benefit from completing a full course on their subject before arriving, so they have comprehensive knowledge of the subject and culture. Faculty can also plan longer experiences abroad than is possible during a spring semester course with travel during spring break.
McCrossen said the TAC model was created to provide more accessible study abroad programs for students.
Wes Kennison ’79, adjunct lecturer in English and Languages and Literatures, and Assistant Professor Lewis-Nang’ea each offered Spring '24 courses, which included the TAC option for students.
Kennison’s course From Tourist to Scholar in Tuscany concluded with a research trip to Siena, Italy. Students conducted research projects while learning to be global scholars. Kennison also offered an online international experience for students who could not participate in the travel component.
Lewis-Nang’ea led students to Madagascar for her History, Environment and Conservation course. Her program focused on conservation history and current practices and policy as it relates to endangered species, deforestation, poverty, and development.
After the successful launch of Geneseo's first two TAC programs, Geneseo hopes to offer more faculty-led TAC programs in the future.