Oklahoma Christian University students who hope to get ahead on their degree have an opportunity to take courses both on campus and abroad this summer.
The five colleges on campus will collectively offer more than 100 on-campus summer classes, with registration remaining open until the class start date. Additionally, International Programs is currently accepting applications for study abroad trips to Europe and Asia.
Professor of Language and Literature Cami Agan will teach a three-week Utopian and Dystopian literature course in May, which is open to all majors. The discussion-based class will progress from ancient to modern books and film and can count as a great works English credit, Agan said. She said many students enjoy the experience of learning without distractions, such as social events and sports practices, getting in the way.
“I think it’s really good to take at least one summer class in your college career,” Agan said. “You sometimes find that you do a lot better in a class that’s intense and short. Especially if it counts as a core class, it’s really nice to get it out of the way and then focus on your major when you get back.”
The cost for 2018 summer courses at Oklahoma Christian is $390 per credit hour—about three times higher than the in-state tuition rate at alternatives like Oklahoma City Community College. According to Agan, smaller class sizes and deeper professor-student interactions make Oklahoma Christian a more attractive option despite the higher price.
“If you went to a community college for a core class, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, but that person doesn’t know you and doesn’t have a connection with you,” Agan said. “It’s going to be show up, write notes, turn stuff in—that’s what I typically hear about these courses. I think the level of learning is higher with a class like this, because it’s going to be small and discussion-oriented.”
Junior Kenzie Minor went to Vienna through Oklahoma Christian’s European Studies program last summer. She said she would recommend the trip to all students, especially to those who may have a conflict in going due to required, major-specific classes during fall or spring semesters.
“It was the perfect option for me because I’m a nursing major, and I wouldn’t be able to take the time to go for a whole semester,” Minor said. “It’s the perfect medium, because you get all of these weeks of free travel, and yet you’re still in class. You’ll wish you had done the semester if you do a summer, but it’s definitely the best alternative if that isn’t an option.”
According to Minor, financial aid is available for students who wish to go. The total cost of the trip includes one course, and those who wish to add additional classes may do so at a per-hour fee, Minor said. She said a built-in travel period of two weeks is available for students who wish to travel to different parts of Europe.
“Later on in life, you won’t mind paying off the loans because you know you had such a great time,” Minor said. “It was honestly the best thing I’ve done in my life.”
Junior Bailey Williamson said she would also recommend the trip to those who are interested in going because it is a hands-on learning experience. In addition to learning in a classroom environment at the main study abroad campus in Vienna, students also embark on field trips to various museums in Europe as a part of their curriculum, Williamson said.
“It’s really eye-opening and cool not to just learn about Europe’s history, but to experience it and understand the culture,” Williamson said. “You can almost see how it developed into our culture.
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