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More and more, students are discovering the value of living and studying in a country outside their own. Through the exchange of international ideas and understanding, study abroad programs at Clark College offer students distinct advantages in school and in the workplace. Evidence is growing to support the belief that studying abroad helps students develop a wide range of marketable skills.  In fact, seven out of 10 jobs today encompass an international component; and employers look for the skills, abilities, and qualities that result from international experience: cooperative problem solving, tolerance for ambiguity, respect for diversity, open-mindedness, self-reliance, and adaptability.

Study abroad programs offer course credit toward many disciplines at Clark College such as Psychology, Anthropology, Foreign Languages, Communications, Art, History, Literature, Environmental Studies and more.

Beyond the career realities and credit opportunities, of course, is the chance to learn more about another culture. You will also gain insight into your own culture and learn more about yourself as you adapt to new situations. Your perspective of the world will broaden and you will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of being a global citizen.

World Languages Abroad

The Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) sponsors the World Languages Abroad program in which faculty members from Clark College Language departments lead summer trips abroad. This gives students who have basic foreign language skills  an opportunity to continue their language learning while earning credit.  Summer 2011 will feature trips to Germany and Ecuador. Summer 2012 is scheduled for trips to Japan and Quebec.   For more information, contact the Office of Student Life in the Penguin Union Building (PUB160), 360-992-2441.

French– French Professor Doug Mrazek has led the French Study Tours since 2000.  For summer 2012, a study tour is planned for Chicoutimi, Quebec. Prerequisite: French 122 or consent of department. To find out more, contact Professor Mrazek at dmrazek@clark.edu or 360-992-2165.

German – German Professor Julian Nelson is Director of the German Studies in Berlin program which leads a group to Berlin, Germany every other summer. Find out more about the plan for summer 2011.

Japanese – Professor Michiyo Okuhara leads a trip to study Japanese culture and language, visiting cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Joyo, Vancouver’s sister city. Please contact Professor Okuhara for more information at mokuhara@clark.edu.

Spanish – For more information about the 2011 summer program led by Spanish Professor Erika Nava, visit the website. You can also contact her at enava@clark.edu or 360- 992-2172. Professor Elizabeth Ubiergo is another good source for information. She can be reached at eubiergo@clark.edu or 360-992-2977.

Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad

WCCCSA (Washington Community College Consortium for Study Abroad) is a group of community colleges that have combined their efforts to provide quality study abroad programs for two-year college students. There are currently 15 colleges in the consortium from across the state of Washington. Programs that are planned through Fall 2011 include the following:

Florence, Italy - Spring 2011
Florence lies like a jewel in the heart of Tuscany, compact and teeming with piazzas, palaces, churches, museums and markets. Florence offers students a selection of courses primarily in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Students choose 10 credits from typical course offerings such as Art, Art History, Literature, Philosophy and Western Civilization.

Alajuela, Costa Rica  - Summer 2011
Whether studying Spanish or researching rainforest ecosystems, you will find Costa Rica is an idyllic place to live and study. The congeniality of the people, the steaming volcanoes, pristine beaches, virgin forests, and the unique birds, mammals and ocean life all combine to make a memorable and enriching experience. Courses are held at the Instituto de Cultura y Lengua Costarricense (ICLC), Costa Rica's premier language institute.

Cape Town, South Africa  - Fall 2011

Cape Town is famous not only for hosting the World Cup, but for its fascinating history, vibrant culture, colorful fishing villages, pearly white beaches, PENGUIN COLONIES, game preserves and much more. Students typically visit the botanic gardens, go shark cage diving, travel to the coast for surfing, go sandboarding and kloofing (a combination of hiking, swimming and cliff jumping!) For those preferring less strenuous activities, there are museums and galleries, markets, boat trips, the waterfront and many more interesting and historic places to visit in your free time.

Valencia, Spain - Winter 2012
Live with a host family and attend language classes at the AIP Language Institute. Discover the rich cultural heritage of Spain's third largest city which is well known for its history and art. Roman, Arabic, Gothic and Baroque art and architecture influence this modern, dynamic coastal city boasting the best climate in all of Spain.

Green River Community College Programs

Green River Community College offers two additional programs to complement the WCCCSA programs. In addition to the opportunities listed above, you can choose to live and study in Australia/New Zealand or Japan. Students earn credits which transfer to Clark College in a one-quarter program.

Japan - Fall 2011

Japan offers a rich environment of arts, culture and history where centuries-old traditions exist in contrast with ultra-modern lifestyles. You will study at the Kanagawa Institute of Technology (KAIT) in Atsugi, Japan. Courses in Japanese Language and Culture, History of Japanese Art and Beginning Digital Photography comprise the 15-unit program.

Australia/New Zealand - Winter 2011
Classrooms are located in the University of London Union in Bloomsbury. The British Museum is close at hand as are many of the colleges of the University of London. Courses typically offered include English, Literature,  Drama, Speech, Art, and History.

AHA International

AHA International, an academic program of the University of Oregon, offers students a variety of opportunities to earn credit abroad in 14 different countries that span the continents. Clark College is in the process of becoming a sponsoring institution with AHA International. This means that credit earned on an AHA program will transfer easily to your Clark College transcript. Until sponsorship is final, we are happy to refer you the departments that can assist with credit transfer. For more information about the programs offered by AHA International, click here.

Student-originated Study Abroad

The opportunities are almost endless for U.S. students who want to study abroad. You can find information about numerous programs in the Office of International Programs (PUB 012) and on the internet. When you find a program that fits your needs, please bring the information to the Office of International Programs. We will gladly try to answer your questions and help you with the Next Step in your global education!