International Programs
"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." Maya Angelou
Mobile Alabama’s central location along the Gulf Coast, the warm climate, beautiful beaches and hospitable people make it an ideal base to explore the southern United States. As part of Global USA, the CCE is uniquely equipped to develop and facilitate a variety of short term educational programs for international groups in Mobile Alabama and across the Gulf Coast region.
One of the programs CCE facilitates is Explore USA, a customizable program which allows the group organizers to choose an academic enrichment program focus in conjunction with a module designed to provide an opportunity to explore American culture through various activities and field trips. For example: Culture and Conversations at USA or Innovations in Bilingual Education and American Culture
The University of South Alabama (USA) is a comprehensive, global research and teaching university that provides students a quality education in business, the liberal arts, education, engineering, computing, the sciences and healthcare. With so much expertise at our fingertips, CCE is able to develop custom short-term educational enrichment proposals incorporating instruction in a broad range of academic areas of study including:
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
USA can provide basic to advanced training in bi-lingual education and English as a Second Language.
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
The Gulf Coast region is a major tourism destination in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is known for its warm climate, hospitable people, great food and beautiful beaches. The University has a Hospitality and Tourism academic department and a work force development center.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The College of Education and Professional Studies supports a wide variety of programs which span Early Childhood Education and Secondary Education to Sport Management, Recreation Therapy, and English for Speakers of Other Languages, just to name a few.
MUSIC
The Department of Music offers educational and creative opportunities for musicians and music educators. The department embraces new artistic experiences that balance the rich history of music with emerging music of the 21st century.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
With a College of Engineering, School of Computing, College of Medicine, College of Nursing in addition to the College of Arts and Sciences, the possibilities for focus areas is virtually unlimited. Some options include marine science, computers and information technology.
American Culture – Throughout the program, students will participate in a variety of activities and excursions to increase their awareness of American culture, traditions, history and, of course, food. Excursions are designed to acquaint participants with the beautiful Gulf Coast region of the United States while they are having fun. They will integrate trips to local restaurants, local site-seeing venues, historical sites, and of course, the beautiful white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Possible local excursions include:
- Naval Air Museum (including their flight simulator and Omni Max movie theater)
- Five Rivers Delta Resource Center with Wild Native Delta Safaris tour via pontoon boat (Mobile Bay Estuary is the 4th largest in the United States)
- Mobile Museum of Art
- Gulf Quest Maritime Museum
- Mobile Carnival Museum (Mardi Gras)
- Bellingrath Gardens and Home
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
- Forts from America’s Colonial and Civil War eras
- Gulf Shores Beaches and Souvenir Shops
- Tanger Outlet Mall
The CCE can also arrange excursions to other American cities (such as New Orleans or Atlanta) and historical sites such as the antebellum (Pre-civil war) homes and sites in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Most programs will also include some organized social activities such as badminton, Frisbee golf, shopping and participating in typical American social events/celebrations. Participants will generally have some free time built into their schedule as well.
Depending on the time of year and nature of the program participants may be housed in campus residential facilities, nearby apartments and hotels. Information on some of the options is provided below.
RESIDENCE HALLS – Participants will be housed double-occupancy in University residence halls or apartments. Bed linens, pillows, blankets and towels will be provided. Each residence facility includes unlimited laundry access. Participants will be expected to keep their rooms/apartments clean and to dispose of their trash. Cleaning supplies and trash bags will be available.
MEALS – Regular meals are served at the University’s Fresh Food Company. It is an all-you-wish-to-eat resident dining facility with a restaurant atmosphere, which has a variety of options for each meal. The Fresh Food Company is located adjacent to the residence halls. Multiple fast food options are also available on campus including Pizza Hut, Chick-fil-A, Moe's Southwest Grill, Panda Express, and Starbucks. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase groceries to keep in their room.
STUDENT RECREATION CENTER – Participants will have access to USA’s Recreation Center. It is a state-of-the-art 116,000 square foot facility located near the residence halls. It houses multi-purpose athletic courts, a cardio-vascular theater, a weight room, containing machines and free weights, heated swimming pools and a spa, saunas, racquetball courts, and a rock climbing wall.
For more information or to develop a custom proposal for your group please contact:
Joy Aull, Program Director
(251) 460-7200
jaull@smcun.com