Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News

Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development Natalia Collings will teach a class in Russia. "It's (Russia) always not what the students expect," Collings said. "They are amazed about the history and people there." [Click to enlarge]

Studying abroad with faculty member Natalia Collings may be expensive, but students won't have to worry about where they're staying.

Collings will take a group of graduate students to study abroad in Russia for two weeks beginning July 15.

The trip will cost students $2,250, plus airfare and transportation. Collings said it's pricey because it's traveling season, but it was the only time teachers could attend.

"I do choose the nice hotels with very good accommodations that are located in the nice parts of the city," she said.

Although the trip is designed to help fulfill requirements for the teacher education and professional developmental programs, all graduate students are invited. Graduate students who are interested in going can apply until March 1. For details, visit cmich.edu/russia.

"There are educational issues that will be learned, like political education and educational psychology," Collings said. "But it can be interesting for many people, not just educational majors."

Collings said she will provide students many opportunities to interact with the people and settings. The main objective is the relationships with the Russian teachers and natives, she said.

"I hope they will make friends," Collings said.

Carol Wessling, a fourth-grade teacher, said she hopes studying abroad will expand her horizons.

"We live in our own little world and there is a big world that we need to see," Wessling said. "We need to get out there and see how other people do their business."

This is not Wessling's first time studying abroad. Wessling did a teacher exchange with New Zealand where she observed the way they teach overseas.

"You get a better understanding of how good we have it," Wessling said. "We need to understand that were not alone in the world, that we don't rule the world, and that other people do other things that are equally important as us."

Graduate student Kristine Shantry said she hopes to gain more insight on other countries, whether it is culture, history or just daily aspects of life.

"I'm hoping they (students) will take back some history, some culture and understand of what it is that people in different countries go through," Shantry said. "Russia is not doing well economically and it's just a different way of life. I hope they gain an understanding of the diversity in the world."


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