Western New England College

Western New England College  School of Arts and Sciences  Springfield, Massachusetts

         

Up with People Education Transfer Credits

Western New England College students will have the opportunity to travel and be involved in cultural immersion by traveling with students and living with host families from around the world. The Up with People program allows Western New England College the opportunity to travel five months to experience personal growth, leadership training, service learning and performing arts. Students will normally receive between 12-16 credits during their first semester, and if a student decides to participate in a second semester program, they will receive an additional 12-16 credits towards graduation. For many students, it’s a global education that lasts a lifetime; for others, it’s a life-transforming experience.

A student who has completed a semester at Western New England College with a grade point average of 2.5 or better and who has successfully completed 27 credits or more, is eligible to participate in the Up with People Program. It is possible to make an exception to these rules, and each student will be granted permission to participate in the program depending upon his/her major requirements and general electives. Students who have participated in the Up with People program prior to attending Western New England College and who have successfully completed the program will have their credits applied towards graduation after successfully completing one semester (15 credits) of enrollment at Western New England College.

Students who are planning to participate in the Up with People program will be able to fulfill college course requirements and general electives based upon the requirements of their major and minor. The Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences will assist the student in course selection and explain how transfer credit from the Up with People program will be applied to the student’s audit.

Courses that may be used towards graduation can be chosen from the following in consultation the Assistant Dean:

LA 185 First Year Seminar. Two Credits. First Year Seminar is a course designed to ease the transition to the first year of college and to explore the value of college and develop a sense of personal identity.

CUL 185 Cultural Awareness. Three Credits. Students are introduced to the theories of Edward Hall and Geert Hofstede and challenged to think critically about different dimensions of culture. Also, the course introduces the student to culture shock principles, the cultural adjustment curve, and coping strategies.

THTR 185 Theatre Preparation. Three Credits. In addition to learning the dances and cast movement/choreography for the show, participants are exposed to different styles of dance. In this class students learn proper vocal warm-ups, projection, and singing techniques, as well as learning to sing the various styles of music. Students will participate in the set-up of technical equipment (lighting, sound and stage elements of the show).

SO 185 Socialization of Diversity. Three Credits. Students explore the challenges and advantages of living in a multicultural environment. This course allows students to examine their stereotypes about each others’ countries and helps them see how to become more aware of how their cultural lenses affect their worldview. Students will also become familiar with diversity in the countries they travel, work and live in.

SO 186 Leadership. Three Credits. Students focus on the purpose of setting goals and challenges to push themselves out of their usual comfort zones. By taking different leadership roles throughout the semester, students will explore how leadership is defined and manifested in the cast. By engaging in community service projects in every city they visit, students practice over 200 hours of servant leadership.

ILP 185 Global Series. Three Credits. Students explore various global issues, their origins, theories and consequences, as well as discussing ways these issues are interconnected to each other. The purpose is to provide students with an overview of the world they live in and have them explore ways in which they can become change agents and active global citizens.

PEHR 185 Physical Warm-up. One Credit. Students are trained in healthy physical warm-up, stretching techniques, as well as cardio and strengthening activities.

COMM 100. Principles of Communication. Three Credits. This is an introduction to the fundamental theory of interpersonal communication and public speaking. Throughout the semester, students have the opportunity to develop and practice their public speaking, listening and interviewing skills.

CUL 181. World Cultures. Three Credits. Every week students focus on learning about one of the countries represented in the cast. They also learn about the regions in which they are traveling through local guest speakers, tours and special opportunities. Host families provide insight into the culture in which the students are immersed.

EC 180. World Economic Issues. Three Credits. Students will gain valuable knowledge of the economic systems of different countries while traveling and studying the financial conditions of those countries.

MUS 180. Chorus. One Credit. Students participate in the performance while traveling with Up with People program. Students learn songs in different languages as well as how to interact with diverse audiences. Course can be repeated for an additional one credit.

SO 181. Introduction to Sociology Worldwide. Three Credits. Through community service, host families and international travel, the student will be introduced to social groups, organizations, and institutions of the family, education, and economy. Other topics include social stratification based on class, gender, race and ethnicity, deviance, and social change.

LBC. Learning Beyond the Classroom can be completed while participating with Up with People program. Students will submit a minimum 1000 word reflection paper in which they describe the activity or experience, relate the experience to learning introduced in their courses, and reflect on the value of experience from a learning perspective.

INTERNSHIP. ILSP 480. International Travel. Traveling, living with over 20 host families, and learning with 80-100 students from more than 20 countries, participants learn how to work cooperatively while exploring the similarities and differences of other nations and cultures.


Second Semester with Up with People

A student needs permission from the Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences prior to enrolling in the second semester of the Up with People program.