Seven State and National Parks Announced for the Study-in-America Program May 2018

By Abby Moore, amm339@txstate.edu

Program Assistant Nicole Hengst
Photo by: Abby Moore

SAN MARCOS, Texas— Summer 2018, the Texas State School of Journalism and Mass Communication is offering a Study-in-America program for students to earn class credit while traveling through the western United States.

Program Assistant Nicole Hengst announced the seven locations Study-in-America students will visit this summer. Students travel to the following national and state parks:

• Caprock Canyon State Park
• Sante Fe
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Zion National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Palo Duro Canyon State Park

This 14-day trip can offer SJMC students up to six hours of college credit. Created by Dale Blasingame and supported by the Office of Distance and Extended Learning, this is the second year the trip will be offered.

Last year, students visited Alpine, Marfa, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend National Park, Fort Davis, Balmorhea State Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Lincoln National Forest and White Sands National Monument.

Students will camp at the multiple national and state parks over a two week period. At each park, there will be a daily briefing and debriefing of the activities and assignments for each course.

Students must complete and upload their assignments over the duration of the trip. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their resumes, discover job opportunities and potentially become published.

“We’re wanting to help students with internships, jobs and helping fill out portfolios,” said Hengst.

Although students can earn class credit, the mission of the program is to encourage more young people to go to parks.

“I was surprised at how students were willing to push their boundaries,” said Hengst.

This year, 12 students will be accepted to join the program. An application is due in early spring and there will be an interview process for each student who is interested in attending.

The cost of the 2017 summer trip was $750 per class and the program fee was $900. The fees associated with the trip will cover class credit, traveling expenses, lodging, and a majority of the meals. Financial aid can help cover some trip expenses if awarded.