West Liberty University has provided three art students the opportunity to travel overseas. Art Education major Sara Cunningham recently visited Italy with the WLU Education program. The visit started with a music school in Fiesole near Florence. There she observed Professor Yakkey’s Method in music. This method is a new way to teach students, young and old, how to read music. Also while in Italy they toured a private elementary school and a public experimental school.
Sara was asked in what ways does she think the trip will make her a better educator? She responded by saying “Being able to experience a different country will encourage me to become better educator.
In Italy music and art courses are not taught in most public schools. The students do not get to experience these forms of expression unless they enroll in an outside school. This situation makes me appreciate what I have experienced in my grade school art and music courses. Those courses have made me who I am today, striving to be an art educator. I will do my best for each of my students to help express themselves through the artistic process. Also having seen some of the world’s most loved works in person I feel it will help me teach and explain art history with more passion. My enthusiasm for art will inspire my students to be more involved in art, not just a course they have to take.”This summer, Art Education major Olivia McIntosh will travel to France and DMD major Jessica Crighton (read Jessica’s blog at http://twc.edu/prospective/experience-twc/blogs/2011/summer-i/jessica-krytons-blog) will travel to England for an internship in the design field. Both trips are made possible by a West Liberty Presidential travel grant to study. WLU’s Campus Internationalization Committee chose the winners based on their scholarship and performance in an interview process conducted by school administrators and faculty.
“These students have earned an exciting opportunity to prepare for an increasingly globalized 21st Century,” said Capehart. “West Liberty is proud of its study abroad program.”
Jessica Crighton’s internship is being organized by the Washington Center in Washington D.C. For more information on the Washington Center visit their website at https://twc.edu/ or call West liberty’s campus representative Beverly Burke at (304) 336-8004.