Texas State University Unveils Cost Effective Trip That Promises a Great Experience

Michael Imo, Maikeruomi@gmail.com

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Destinations were announced for the 2018 Study-in-America Program today. Students will visit state and national parks like Grand Canyon and experience what it has to offer.

Nicole Hengst, Program Assistant.
Photo by Michael Imo.

Nicole Hengst, program assistant, broke the news this morning sharing more information on the trip. Travel locations include Caprock Canyon State Park, Santa Fe State Park in New Mexico, Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

The trip was designed to make sure students get equal opportunity without drawbacks. It is a 6-hour credit course and costs are covered by financial aid. The program fee is $900 which covers activities, lodging and some meals. Students will need to be full-major status and take Feature Writing with Kym Fox and Mobile Storytelling with program creator Dale Blasingame.

Unlike last year’s trip, interviews will also be held by the program directors to make sure you have the right attitude for the adventure. According to Hengst, your workmanship is important for the experience.

“This trip differs from previous trips because we are camping more than half the time”. Hengst said. “We’ll be in tents for most of the time so which means it’s a work-shared trip where everyone is putting up camp and sharing cooking duties”.

Hengst also emphasized that this shared work not only helps you grow as an individual but also benefits everyone effectively.

“It keeps cost down and makes it more available to students”. Hengst said. “Which would make for a completely different experience than traveling to another country.”

And experience is what the program is looking forward to in offering the students. Students are required to have an active social media presence because the assignments require posting interesting information and pictures. Wi-fi will also be accessible for students.

Dale Blasingame, senior lecturer and frequent park enthusiast, hopes to promote these parks and get more students to experience the outdoors a little more. 2 years ago. Blasingame attended a park with his dog, Lucy, and bought a pass which he used to attend all 95 Texas State Parks in 1 year. Ever since then, Blasingame has developed a relationship with Texas State Wildlife and has grown the Study-in-America program from visiting 1 park to several parks.

Application is due early spring next year. To find out more about the program, stop by the Study-in-America panel during Mass Comm Week.