Nicknamed “The Switch,” the new summer program Pepperdine is offering will spend the four weeks in Heidelberg, Germany, and four weeks in Florence, Italy, with another week of travel between the two cities by train.
The program, offered by Pepperdine’s International Programs Office, begins May 3 and ends June 30.
“The Heidelberg and Florence programs have been a part of our curriculum for a very long time,” said Dr. Charles Hall, dean of International Programs. “They’re really very different cities. It’s a chance to experience two different cultures.”
Pepperdine students have studied abroad at Heidelberg and Florence since 1963 and 1985, respectively. It wasn’t until this past year that the International Programs Office considered offering a joint trip to both cities for a summer program.
“What inspired us to do it was that some students who had been to Heidelberg, who had also been to Florence, and wanted to take a summer trip couldn’t decide between the two. So we thought, wouldn’t it be cool if the students didn’t have to make that choice?” Hall said.
Heidelberg, located in the southwestern region of Germany, is home to Heidelberg Castle, one of the most notable Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Visiting students will be housed in old town Heidelberg, in the historic Moore Haus, which overlooks the town and castle ruins.
In Florence, students will visit famous works of art in the city, the capital and most populous city in the Tuscany region of Italy. The city is home to prominent religious architecture, museums and palaces. Visiting students will stay in the Villa Di Loreto the student residence.
“We’re here to give students new experiences, and to really help them grow,” said Kailey Howell, marketing and event coordinator for the International Programs Office.
“With the growth of international studies, it is very important that students go out there and really learn and experience for themselves what’s out there. Instead of reading a book they can go out for themselves and get to know a completely different culture. Students can learn about themselves by learning about others, to really understand what their values are,” she said.
The priority registration deadline for summer program applications is Monday, Sept. 27. Students must submit the application online, and complete an interview with one of the visiting faculty members of that program. After completing the online application students will receive a confirmation number and information on setting up an interview with faculty.
Visiting faculty members for the summer switch trip include psychology professor Steve Rouse for the Heidelberg portion of the trip, and religion professor Tim Willis for Florence.
Applicants will be evaluated for the program based on their ACT/SAT scores and high school GPA, as well as their interviews with the visiting faculty member for that program.
“It sounds like a lot of fun,” said Crystal Jackson, an 18-year-old freshman and English major. It’d be exciting to study abroad.”
