Comments on: Hawaii study abroad course too important to cut

By: Christa Niznik

Christa Niznik — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:55:34 +0000

I took this Jterm class in 2008 and it still remains one of the best experiences of my life. I feel sorry for everyone who will never get the chance to experience what I did during that month.

By: Erika Anderson

Erika Anderson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:47:39 +0000

I haven’t studied abroad yet, but I was hoping to take the COJO Hawaii course in Jan. 2011. Now I am very disappointed that I will be unable to do so. UST prides itself on having one of the best programs in the nation for study abroad opportunities and it’s a shame that they have had to cut this course along with so many others. I really hope something can be done because I know a lot of other people who are disappointed by this news as well.

Great article, Zach!

By: Andrew Boyle

Andrew Boyle — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:23:40 +0000

Though I think you bring about some important issues surrounding St. Thomas Michael, I think you’re missing the point of the article. St. Thomas is cutting a select number of J-term abroad courses – the concern of this article, which my classmates and I share, is that the content of this particular course is too important to deny students access to. Though all of the courses offered by the university provide unique and beneficial experiences to students, this course goes beyond most of those courses in that the service learning project gives students a unique opportunity to work within a very exclusive community of people focusing on keeping their struggling culture alive. This course over its 12 year span has consistently yielded successful results, which is why it is confusing that the university made this decision. Of course qualified students should have access to education at St. Thomas, but to cut programs that have proven success and help both students and those less fortunate should not be the area which individuals in charge of budget cuts should focus their efforts.

By: Michael Blissenbach

Michael Blissenbach — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:31:46 +0000

I sympathize with your viewpoints, and I agree, as someone who got to study abroad for a semester at St. Thomas, that studying abroad is a very good thing.
Unfortunately, we are dealing with probably the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. Millions of people have lost their jobs, and St. Thomas has kept increasing tuition by at least 6% each year for the past four or five years. That’s a significant tuition increase, and this trend of hiking tuition is unsustainable if St. Thomas wants low and middle-income students to continue to be able to afford to attend UST.
Sometimes tough choices must be made.
Keeping these J-Term study abroad classes, and the resultant tuition increases to sustain them may mean the difference between a student being able to afford and not able to afford a UST education. So, you need to ask yourself which is the greater good, and act accordingly.
A Catholic education should be financially accessible for all qualified students who seek it. To begrudge someone a Catholic education based on financial reasons, in my opinion, is incompatible with the mission of a Catholic university.

By: Andrew Boyle

Andrew Boyle — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:54:08 +0000

Working with those kids was an experience no other study abroad course can offer at St. Thomas. While on the island locals are amazed that we even know of those people let alone work with them. To cut this course is not only unfair to future St. Thomas students but to the students at Kekaha Learning Center as well. This course provides such a great experience for us to help sustain a culture struggling to keep itself alive – cutting it due to budget issues calls for a detailed explanation as to where that money is needed…. Great article Zach

By: Alyssa Pawlenty

Alyssa Pawlenty — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:14:31 +0000

I was one of Zach’s class mates that went to Hawaii for the Multi-cultural communications course and feel that it could not have been stated any better. The service learning project was, by far, the best part of the entire class. I never imagined that I would get so attached to the kids in just three days. I have worked with kids all my life, being a nanny for three years, and working with may kids programs and never in the first three days have I ever felt so welcome, so close, and so loved than by the kids and the Kekaha Learning Center. I was devastated when I heard the news and cannot imagine those kids hearing the news that the students from St. Thomas will not be returning next year. I sure do hope that St. Thomas will reconsider their decision because this class was more than I ever thought it would be!

By: Leah Renter

Leah Renter — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:10:02 +0000

I am extremely disappointed that this course is being cut. I was anticipating taking it next year and I know others were as well. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from students who have taken Multicultural Communication in Diverse Organizations in Hawaii. If there is any sort of petition to keep it on for 2011 it should be on here for UST students!

By: Richard Shallbetter

Richard Shallbetter — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:08:01 +0000

…and once again, well done, Zach Pagano!

By: Richard Shallbetter

Richard Shallbetter — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:54:04 +0000

I couldn’t agree more with Ms. Peterson. I didn’t travel to Hawaii this January, but I have studied abroad twice in my life before through People to People, once to the islands of Fiji. To be exposed to the culture of Pacific Islanders and to gain such fresh, important perspectives is far too eye-opening to cut. To broaden the horizons of young adults is the purpose of a liberal arts education, and this study abroad course is an invaluable incarnation of that principle.

By: Jim Pagano

Jim Pagano — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:26:36 +0000

Great article and I hope you get someones attention that it is a great cause.