Although the idea of spring break for some includes sun, sand and a tan, some Ohio University students see the week off class as an opportunity. Students can choose to stay in the U.S. or study abroad through the programs OU offers. These week-long programs are good options for students who cannot commit to a long-term study away.
Alternate Spring Break in Appalachia is a service-based program that explores the local history of Appalachia. Co-directors Kim Jeffers and Jacob Lietzow spoke extensively about Alternate Spring Break, emphasizing the program’s accessibility. The fee is $50, so this program is a cost-effective option for students. The fee covers lodging, food and transportation.
The program went through a years-long hiatus, but assistant director of Signature Academic Experience Lietzow revived the program in 2023.
“I know it's really easy to see things on the news and kind of feel like the actions of one individual, of one person in college does not make an impact on anyone,” Lietzow said. “But, we get to meet with individuals in the community that are making a difference in the lives of other people that live here.”
OU also offers several study abroad programs that explore history and cover specific topics. June Meehan, a sophomore studying history, went on the Northern Ireland: Human Rights, Law and Justice study abroad program last year. Meehan will also attend the Italy: Eternal Rome program this year.
Meehan said her experience studying abroad had a packed itinerary and included the rich history of Northern Ireland.
"As a history major, I'm looking at the past, and I'm like, ‘That's crazy that could happen,’” she said. “I talked to people who lived through history, because The Troubles is going to be written in history books way into the future, as it has already been, so talking and listening to people who lived through those experiences, who lost people during those experiences, is a whole different scenario.”
The estimated cost of the Northern Ireland study abroad program is over $4,000. This study abroad program is part of the Ohio Credit program. All trips in the Ohio Credit program count for three to four credit hours.
A portion of the costs are charged to the student’s OU account, the other portion is paid out of pocket. The estimated cost of these programs does not include the cost of tuition for those credit hours.
“Cost wise, the tuition of these programs is built into your spring tuition bill, so there is an additional program fee, but the cost of the credit hours is already built into what students are already paying for spring semester,” said Keely Davin, associate director of the Office of Global Opportunities. “It's a good option for students financially as well.”
Davin explained there are several course meetings and instruction throughout the semester prior to spring break. While traveling, students apply what they learned on site, and most programs will have a work overview for the second half of the semester.
Caroline Bresnahan, the regional director at WorldStrides, helps coordinate different faculty-led programs at OU. Bresnahan has a hand in five different spring break programs here at OU, and she explained that these spring break programs can also be convenient for people who are new to studying abroad.
“I think spring break programs are such a fabulous opportunity for students who are brand new to international travel or travel in general, and for students who are extremely experienced, because it does kind of feel like a fast pass to learning about studying abroad or being abroad,” said Bresnahan.
Bresnahan encourages students to look into studying abroad. There is financial aid available through the Office of Global Opportunities that students can apply for to help offset the cost of the trip.
