This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Salzburg, Austria, study abroad program at Ohio University ' and former students and professors are heading overseas for a celebration today.
Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl will join former and current instructors and students of the program to recognize one of the oldest study abroad programs at OU.
The trip is also an opportunity to showcase the achievements of program alumni.
We've had really good success with our students winning nationally competitive scholarships
such as Fulbrights said Nikhil Sathe, assistant professor of German and former program director.
Senior Elizabeth Andersen is one such student. She went to Salzburg in 2006 and received an Austrian Fulbright to teach English next year.
The celebration also highlights the budding exchange program between OU and the University of Salzburg, which is separate from the study abroad program.
One person from each school will be chosen to be a teaching assistant and tutor at the other school.
The partnership will help not only because it will save money but because it will give us advantages when we're in Austria and we'll have official recognition in the university
Sathe said.
Students of all levels are eligible for the study abroad program, he said, adding that many students participate in the program to fulfill their language requirement but end up declaring a German major or minor.
Andersen is proof that students do not need an extensive German background to go on the trip.
I took my very first German class here as a freshman because I needed a language
and I ended up loving it
she said, adding that she declared a German major before traveling to Salzburg.
The program has seen more applicants in the last few years, Sathe said.
Students return from the trip with more than just a better knowledge of German.
I'm really grateful I got to go
Andersen said. It was the best experience of my college career because I got to do something I really liked with people who I'm now best friends with.
Sophomore Sarah Juris and junior Kayleigh Forhan met on the trip and are now good friends. They both said it is definitely worth doing.
It was an awesome experience
Juris said. I would totally recommend it.
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