Waynesburg University is taking a new approach to hands-on learning. Students will have the opportunity to study art history in person on the grounds of Barcelona and Madrid in Spain. This is not a study abroad program, it’s what is being introduced at Waynesburg University as a study abroad course. Instead of spending an entire semester in a foreign country studying at another university, students will take part in a three-credit course that will operate similar to Fiat Lux class.
Fine Arts Department chair and Art program director, Andrew Heisey will be teaching an art history study abroad course that will meet once a week for several weeks leading up to the trip, where students will spend nine days in Spain, seeing the art that they study in books with their own eyes.
“For this trip, we will be going through [Education First] tours, and what makes going through them so nice is it’s like having a tour guide,” said Heisey. “We’re not being dropped off to fend for ourselves in unfamiliar grounds.”
As part of the Education First tour the class is going through, the minute Heisey and his students land in Spain, their tour director will be waiting for them. From that moment on, the tour director will stay and travel with the group to ensure the entire trip runs smoothly and follows the itinerary.
“Another really great part about doing this trip through Education First tours is that, should any problems arise, the director would contact whoever they needed to contact in order to get the problem solved,” said Heisey. “In one case, there was a kid who had their wallet and passport stolen and [Education First] Tours had a new passport for the kid before they had to leave when they were to come home. They are very resourceful and efficient in terms of solving any problem that could arise.”
One thing Heisey “wants to stress” is that there are still seats available for this study abroad course which allows students to experience the art they study.
“This trip is very affordable,” said Heisey. “Through fundraising, many of the students already enrolled in the course have the trip paid for or are very close to it. There are still seats available, but I encourage anyone who may be interested to sign up now because space is limited and the longer they wait, the higher the price will be.”
Another reason Heisey gave for the trip being “worth every penny” is that nearly everything is included in the price. The flight, hotels, museums admissions, tours, transportation, insurance and nearly all of the meals are included in the price of the nine-day trip.
“The only reason that not all of the meals are included is that we wanted to have the freedom to try and experience some ‘mom-and-pop-shop’ foods as well, especially days where the itinerary is especially packed and we won’t have a lot of time to eat the major meals that the tour arranges for us on most days,” said Heisey.
There are also study abroad courses being offered as a nursing class to London and a biblical ministry course traveling to Greece.
“I have never been moved to tears when I saw art in a book, and with good reason because a picture just doesn’t do justice, but seeing the art in person and how much more intricate and magnificent it is—that’s what moves a person to tears and that’s the opportunity we’re providing here,” said Heisey.