Program offers study abroad
in Martinique
Students to learn culture,
history in exotic setting
By Corrie Wollet
Staff
Writer
A new study abroad program will allow students
to spend their summers in the French West Indies surrounded by mountains,
volcanoes and rain forests.
The new Martinique program offers students up to
seven credit hours. It's through the Department of Foreign Languages
and Literatures, the African-American Studies and Research Center, and
Programs for Study Abroad.
According to Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, director of
the African-American studies program, this trip was meant to encourage
students in general to study abroad somewhere besides European countries
so they can gain a rich experience in a Caribbean setting.
Sharpley-Whiting is also the director of the Martinique
program and has worked on it since the spring of 1998. She visited Martinique
to set up university contacts with the Institut Superieur d’Etudes
Francophones.
At this university, both Sharpley-Whiting and French
professors will teach classes. These classes will be dual-track, with
both courses offered in either French or English.
During the five-week program, students will have
classes four days a week, Monday through Thursday. The French courses
require French experience up to the 202 level. Students have three class
options: Literature of the Caribbean, History and Culture of the Caribbean
or French Conversation.
Students will be housed with host families provided
by the University. There will be bilingual and non-bilingual houses
available depending on personal French experience.
According to Sharpley-Whiting, these families are
interested in getting to know Americans and their culture by submersing
students in a family setting so they can learn firsthand about the Caribbean
culture.
The tour also provides two excursions, one to North
Martinique to visit a rain forest, the towns of Morne-rouge and Saint
Pierre, and Mont Pelee, a volcano. On the second excursion the group
will visit a rum distillery; rum is one of Martinique’s chief exports.
During the rest of the trips, students are allowed
to travel the island, which is 50 miles long and 22 miles wide.
"Taxis are everywhere in Martinique, said
Sharpley-Whiting. "You can also take a ferry to surrounding Caribbean
islands where there are great chances to go hiking and visit beautiful
rainforests."
The capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France, has
an annual Culture Festival during the summer focusing on the island’s
rich history and lifestyle. Sermac, the multicultural center, will host
exhibits and performances where students can watch cinemas and outdoor
theater presentations.
There are also chances to eat authentic Caribbean
seafood and visit nightspots with jazz and Caribbean styles of music.
The Martinique program is relatively cheaper than
other study abroad opportunities, with the cost being $2,218 for in-state
students and $4,476 for out-of-state students.
Although there are a few additional costs, the
overall package is considerably low for traveling out of country. "Martinique
is very distinguished from other Caribbean islands because their cultures
are so unique from each other; in Martinique there is more than just
beaches," said Sharpley-Whiting.
Anyone interested in the program can contact the
Programs for Study Abroad at 494-2383 or studyabroad@ippu.purdue.edu
or Sharpley-Whiting at 494-5680 or tsharpley@sla.purdue.edu.
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