SEMO TRIP: 15-DAY VISIT TO SPAIN IN SUMMER OPEN TO ANYONE

In her role as an assistant professor of foreign languages at Southeast Missouri State University, Pamela Brakhage has led annual trips to Mexico for the past six years.

Next summer, however, Brakhage will be heading east to Spain. The 15-day trip, sponsored by the university's foreign languages department, will involve stops in a number of cities, including Madrid, Toledo and Barcelona.

The trip is open to graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the general public, Brakhage said.

The trip is part of a field experience in foreign language and culture course in which students can earn two or three hours of credit in the areas of education, foreign language or anthropology. Individuals also may participate in the trip without course credit.

"In the past, one third of our participants have been undergraduates, one-third have been teachers like myself who may or may not want it for credit, and then one-third have been retirees," she said.

"All of the sites that will be visited during the trip have historical significance," Brakhage said.

Students will be expected to keep a journal written in Spanish detailing their impressions of Spain. They will also be expected to prepare for the trip with selected readings and to outline them in the journal.

"Students also will be required to translate for those who are not Spanish speakers," Brakhage said.

The trip will run from June 5-19. Prior to that, the group will participate in an intensive on-campus workshop May 19-29, said Brakhage.

Participants will review Spanish grammar and literature regarding the places that will be visited, practice their Spanish, and cook meals native to the country.

Brakhage said that in past trips participants have come from a number of states.

"In the past, people who have participated with us have come from as far away as Hawaii," said Brakhage.

Cost of the trip will be $2,500, in addition to tuition for the on-campus workshop. The $2,500 will cover air fare, land travel, hotels, meals and planned activities.

"One of the things about this trip that I think is important is we have made a real effort in the department to provide travel expenses that are affordable," she said.

The trip, she explained, is even covered through regular student loans. "That really helps quite a few students who want to travel now and pay for it through their student loan package," she said.

Brakhage said she would like to keep the group to a maximum of 30. "That is basically one full bus," she said. The group will fly into Madrid and then travel throughout Spain on a chartered bus.

Brakhage said the registration deadline to guarantee the $2,500 fee is Feb. 28. Persons may register for the course through the registrar's office at (314) 651-2052.

For more information, contact Brakhage at her office, 651-2482, or at home, 264-3220.