The first year of the "Westminster at Oxford" is celebrated by students and faculty as a life-changing success.

 The Westminster at Oxford program allows students to take a semester of classes, taught by Westminster and Oxford faculty, at one of the world's greatest universities and still keep their Westminster tuition and financial aid.  The only extra charges are air fare and spending money, as students stay with host families.

 Two Westminster faculty members, Dr. David Goldberg,  assistant professor of philosophy, and Dr. James Perkins, professor of English, accompanied the 30 students on this inaugural travel program.

"Students are encouraged to take advantage of their time overseas by seeing other places in Europe," Perkins said.  "It's been interesting to watch a small group of students over a term grow more confident in themselves.  Study abroad is clearly a college without walls.  Learning happens 24/7."

 "Students had a choice of five classes on campus, plus an independent study," Goldberg said.  "Students were only required to take three classes, so that left plenty of time for independent exploration."

 "Classes are secondary to the experience of travel," said Matthew Kurtz, a senior history major from DuBois.  "Don't get me wrong, classes are important and I found learning about 20th century history from a British professor very interesting.  Their point of view is different from ours."

 "I learned a lot more outside the classroom than in it," said Caitlin Pratt, a junior English major from New Brighton.  " The classes were interesting, but very few of us had been so far away from home for such a long time.  At first we stuck to our professors as we were maneuvering through the airports and streets of the city.  But after a while, we gained confidence in our own abilities and learned how to travel by ourselves.  We became more independent and grew 'street smart.'"

 "Germany was my favorite place to visit.  My friends and I flew to Munich and then took a two-hour train trip south to Garmisch," Kurtz said.  "This town was the site of the 1936 Olympics.  We also visited the Schwanstein Castle, which is surrounded by the Alps, and took a walking tour to a resort located on the top of a mountain."

 "Travel is cheap in Europe," Pratt said.  "I went to Paris for $150 and that included the train through the English Channel and three nights in a hostel behind the Moulin Rouge.  The price included a breakfast of croissants, cereal, and coffee, and a nice clean room for four.  The metro was an adventure.  We got lost several times and we had a hard time understanding the map, but seeing Paris was worth all the hassle."

 "My favorite spot that I visited, however, was Stonehenge," Pratt continued.  "I was amazed at the structures built with such huge stones, especially when you consider that they were built without modern machinery."

 "My host family was great," Kurtz said.  "I didn't know what to expect, but I was blessed with a great family and great food."

 "I felt like I was part of the family because I had dinner with my host family almost every night," Pratt said.  "I learned a lot about their culture.  When they spoke to me, they would talk slowly, but amongst themselves their conversation sounded like a completely different language.  The Brits seem to think we are very conservative, which is evident in what you hear on their television stations."

 "We were fortunate to be in England when we were," Goldberg said.  "It was the anniversary of Guy Fawks Day.  He's the guy who plotted to blow up the Parliament and the king with 36 barrels of gunpowder, but was caught just 30 minutes before the blast was to explode.  Now they celebrate with fireworks.  We were also privy to an elaborate affair that included the Royal Family honoring Lord Nelson and his historic Trafalgar triumph."

 "The only thing I would change about the trip was to save more money and learn more about crossing a street over there before going," Kurtz said.  "I say if you can do it, then do it.  Work with your schedule, save your money, and even if you don't know anyone who is going, grab the opportunity anyway.  Learn a new culture where people live without 'things' like cells, SUVs, etc.  And don't take anything too seriously; enjoy even your mistakes."

 "I'm sure Westminster will change a few things about this program, after all it was new this year.  But I wouldn't change much because it's just a great opportunity and every student should considering entering this program," concluded Pratt.

 In addition to visiting various locations in England, Pratt visited France, Scotland, Ireland, and the Czech Republic and Kurtz visited Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Spain.
 
 Contact Dr. Jeffrey Bersett, director of off-campus study at Westminster College, at (724) 946-7259 or e-mail bersetjt@westminster.edu for more information.

L-R Jessie Goldie & Matthew Kurtz

L-R at Jennie Wheeler, Jelena Gerga, Caitlin Pratt & Michelle Mair

2005 Westminster at Oxford Class