By participating in specialized study abroad programs, education majors at Slippery Rock University are doing far more than just touring, they are discovering firsthand what it means to be an educator before they graduate. Olivia Platt, a senior mid-level mathematics education major from Coraopolis (Moon HS), had the opportunity to study board in Scotland, May 11-19, as part of a faculty-led program that provided her a new outlook on teaching.
“I think that studying abroad, for any amount of time, is life changing,” Platt said.
While in Scotland, Platt and 19 other education majors were able to engage directly with local schools and educators. Platt spent a portion of her time in Scotland at the Woodmuir Primary School, working with teachers and students to learn more about their education system, which included outdoor learning. Platt discovered just how relevant outdoor learning is for childhood development.
“It was really interesting to learn about outdoor learning and how doing things outside can impact a student’s understanding,” Platt said. “At Woodmuir, we got to be outside with kids all day long. Their teachers showed us all of their outdoor equipment and tools, we built obstacle courses and shelters, and we learned how to incorporate subjects into outside lessons.”
Platt specifically referenced a math lesson plan in which the Scottish teachers showed SRU students how to use wooden tree trunks to make and read an analog clock.
“I always kind of thought that, ‘Oh, I don’t know how we can do math outside,’ but getting to see a specific lesson where they did that was really cool,” Platt said. “Bringing something like that into my classroom in America is something that I’m really taking away from it. When you remember being a student in school, you remember the things that are more fun and enjoyable, like activities and going outside. I think that just shows that students will really remember and learn more from the lessons that you do outside.”
In addition to Woodmuir, SRU students also visited the coast of North Berwick and Newbattle Abbey College, where they learned more about outdoor learning practices, as well as practical skills for future educational opportunities.
“On the coast, we learned how to make a fire from flint and steel, build shelters, and we spent time in the water observing common seaweeds and crabs,” Platt said. “At Newbattle Abbey College, we spent time learning about how to incorporate outdoor learning on concrete and in the forest. This was very beneficial because not all schools in America will have certain outdoor grounds that Scotland uses.”
While the study-abroad program provided many moments for educational growth, it also served as an opportunity for Platt to make a lot of personal memories. Sightseeing was a favorite activity for students, exploring locations filled with rich cultural history, such as the Stirling Castle and Edinburg’s Medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town.
“Everyone did a great job at balancing what we were there for with the education aspects of it, while also giving us free time to explore,” Platt said.
The immersive trip was led by SRU faculty members Jason Hilton, professor of curriculum, instruction, and educational leadership, and Jeremy Lynch, professor of special education.
“This trip would not have been possible without Dr. Lynch and Dr. Hilton,” Platt said. “They provided us with amazing opportunities and gave students support and advice while being in a foreign country. Any student would be lucky to spend time on a study abroad trip with them!”
Platt was one of more than 160 SRU students to travel abroad this year as part of the University’s study abroad programs. They include eight short-terms programs led by faculty members and administrators, like the one Platt benefitted from, but there’s also month-long or semester-long programs where students earn academic credit at partner institutions that are applied to their SRU degree. Additionally, more than 20 education majors completed their student-teaching requirements in Spain. All told, SRU students learned in 30 different countries last year.
“Students can study abroad from any major, for any length of time, in any place in the world — it is self-designed,” said Jenny Kawata, SRU’s director of global exchanges and partnerships. “Many of our students who travel abroad say that it is the most impactful experience that they’ve had during their time in college. It makes a big difference for attracting and retaining students, and, most importantly, setting them up to succeed.”
More information about study abroad programs at SRU is available on the University’s website or by calling 724.738.2057.
