Spring break (in Washington, D.C.)

While many college students are enjoying the environment at Florida beaches this week, a group of 30 Southeast Missouri State University students are learning strategies for saving the planet during their spring break.

The students are participating in a four-day seminar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. The group of juniors and seniors will learn about global issues in business, the environment and politics at the CSIS research center's think tank.

During the trip, students will meet with consultants and researchers who advise national leaders in the top levels of government as they develop policies and strategies that affect the global community, said Dr. Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University.

Senior Jackie Rhomberg, 21, of St. Louis is double majoring in environmental science and economics. She wants to learn about the environmental and economic impacts of changes in the population.

"We'll be looking at countries such as China, Russia, Brazil and India that are expected to change the make-up of the global community," Rhomberg said. "I'm looking forward to learning more about China, and their changing global position in the next 20 to 50 years in regards to their carbon emissions and population shift."

After the students hear from experts on global issues, ranging from energy to the aging population and natural resource scarcity, they will break into groups to discuss the different issues and offer their solutions to the problems.

Senior Adam Hanna, 22, is the school's student government president and a criminal justice major. During the trip, students will have time to meet with local federal legislators -- something that Hanna is looking forward to.

"We'll be discussing many of the same international issues with them," he said. "I personally hope to express to our elected officials that these global challenges are real, pressing and local."

Hanna believes the CSIS experience will be life changing.

"I think this trip has the potential to change my outlook on the way the world works," he said. "I've lived in the Midwest my entire life, and I think I've been insulated from many of the issues that affect the majority of the world's population."

The idea of water scarcity, and even terrorism and global warming -- all topics the students will discuss in Washington, D.C. -- are somewhat "foreign issues," Hanna said.

"If we are going to solve the major global issues facing the planet in the next 20 years, it has to start somewhere," Hanna said. "I don't believe that we're in a position to sit back and wait for other people to develop the solutions."

Chris Davis, 22, is a senior double majoring in political science and criminal justice. The St. Louis native is looking forward to meeting with Missouri legislators to discuss global issues.

Davis said he would rather spend his spring break in Washington, D.C., instead of on a beach in Florida.

"This will be a life changing experience for me," he said. "I'm expecting this trip to further open my eyes to how I can help change the world -- how can I be prepared to change a world I don't understand? This opportunity will help me learn how I can help."

Marjorie Cavey of Cape Girardeau has a strong interest in learning more about the future of the environment. Cavey, who is double majoring in philosophy and psychology, wants to learn more about global issues and policy-making. "I'm certain that this trip will change my life," she said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246