Study abroad, Verandah courses and service trips change lives during D-Term

Hundreds of North Central College students will study abroad, participate in service trips, enroll in Verandah courses and take advantage of other distinctive opportunities during D-Term.

D-Term is a three-week period between Thanksgiving and Christmas that offers students possibilities to engage in life-enriching experiences.

This year’s study abroad destinations include France, China, London, Argentina and Uruguay, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Italy and Greece, Germany and Costa Rica.

“Hundreds of returning students have told us that studying abroad changed their lives, that they became more confident, independent and flexible—gaining new ways to see and think about our world,” says Jack Shindler, director of international programs and professor of English. “Recent research has shown that such changes can and do happen even in the short term, so we are pleased that more than 130 students are enrolled in courses during D-Term 2013.”

Other students will participate in an Appalachian Service Project trip to Virginia to build and repair homes; care for orphans and assist villagers through the Mission of Hope in Haiti; and tend to children in Honduras through the Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos organization.

“Students who participate in service trips learn what it means to be global citizens and discover the needs of people in a different culture,” says Whitney Roberts, assistant director of ministry and service. “Students often come back with a new perspective and seek ways to apply what they’ve learned. Some will sponsor a child in another country through a charity or volunteer with an organization like World Relief.”

Closer to campus, Verandah courses are a wide range of intellectually and personally stimulating experiences for students and faculty. Operating on a pass/no pass basis, Verandah experiences may offer academic credit, without traditional exams, papers or course evaluations. Verandah courses this D-Term include Theatre in Chicago, Sustainable Solutions to Urban Problems, Writing About Pop Culture and several more.