The School of Human Environmental Sciences is continuing a tradition of organizing and offering educational travel experiences. For the 2012-13 academic year, four unique opportunities are scheduled. All are described below, and interested students are encouraged to contact the faculty coordinator listed.
To assist students with travel expenses, a funding assistance program has been established within the School utilizing royalties received from sales of the UK Plaid. [old link for 2012 removed] Students interested in the trips to New York, Panama or Italy should submit the funding application by October 1st. Students interested in travel to Ghana should submit the application by February 1.
New York – February 9-13, 2013
Organized for students in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles, this study tour focuses on the retailing and fashion industry in New York. Students will attend a Fashion Week Fashion Show, have professional visits at retailers and fashion designers, tour the F.I.T. Museum, and more. Contact Dr. Scarlett Wesley, Associate Professor in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles, for additional information.
Panama – Spring Break 2013
This course in rural and ag-based tourism encompasses study of agritourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, food tourism and "voluntourism". The venues students will examine include a variety of farm tours (e.g., a tobacco farm/cigar factory, guava farm, organic poultry, coffee farm, etc.), visits to eco-resort lodges and marinas, overnight stays at remote jungle backpacker hostels, tours of a small island hotel operation, as well as options for snorkeling, white water rafting, zip lining, horseback riding, birdwatching, and hot spring experiences. Dr. Jason Swanson, Assistant Professor for Hospitality Management and Tourism, is the contact for this course.
Italy – Spring Break 2013
Through this program students will be exposed to retail business development in Florence, Italy and will learn to appreciate unique international elements of the apparel and textile industry. By examining the fashion "personality" of Florence, students will gain an understanding of the interrelationships among key components such as design, merchandising, textiles and promotion. Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Vanessa Jackson, Professor, Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles.
Ghana – May 13-27, 2013
Dr. Kwaku Addo, Interim Chair, Department of Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles, will again lead a study tour to Ghana, West Africa. During the two-week program, students will explore Ghana through visits to historical and cultural places of interest. Participants will engage with the local community and examine the connection between Kentucky and Ghana by visiting the Kentucky Academy at Adjeikrom. Prior to the program abroad, students will learn about the history, culture, politics and people of Ghana during class meetings at UK.