VSU Launches New Study Abroad Blog

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University launched today a new Web site feature, the VSU Study Abroad Blog, through which students will provide readers with first hand accounts of their unique summer experiences.

VSU hopes to share with the community the weekly happenings of students overseas, giving readers an inside view of study abroad programs and international studies. Students can choose from 10 destinations, including Russia, Germany, Italy, Turkey and many more. Trips range from 3-5 weeks offering culture-related courses, lodging and various amenities. In locations like Japan, Guadalajara and Senegal Africa, students live with host families completely submerged in foreign culture.

The new blog will feature weekly updates from students overseas. Nakita Dziegielewski and Ryan Chapman, both spending time in Russia this summer, are the first two participants in what VSU hopes to become an annual Web site feature.

A Dalton native, Dziegielewski is majoring in sociology and women’s and gender studies and taking courses in Russian language and culture. She hopes the experience will give her insight into foreign relations and aid in meeting her future goal of working for an eastern European non-profit organization. Visit her blog at http://www.valdosta.edu/news/redirect/dziegielewski/ .

An accomplished student majoring in physics, Chapman chose to study abroad to expand his knowledge of the world and improve his understanding of different cultures. The native of Warner Robins will also study Russian Language and Culture. Visit his blog at http://www.valdosta.edu/news/redirect/chapman/ .

The blog will be linked from the VSU News Site, www.valdosta.edu/news . As more groups travel overseas, additional students will share their study abroad experiences through the new blog at http://valdostastateuniversity.blogspot.com . E-mail Communications Specialist Jennifer Tanner at jltanner@valdosta.edu for more information about the new blog or call International Programs at (229) 333-7410 regarding the study abroad options.