William Masselli ~ Editor in Chief
In early February, the University of Lynchburg History Department and the Center for Global Education teamed up to advertise the Yellowstone Study Domestic Study Away Trip for University of Lynchburg’s students.
Director of the Center for Global Education Declan Pratt said, “My job is being the Director of the Center for Global Education which means I oversee the study away and study abroad programs. In my role, I am intricately involved. Whenever faculty comes to me about these trips, I help to facilitate these trips by allowing the actual logistics of the travel to happen.”
Pratt also stated, “The Yellowstone Trip is education in itself. This is a study away program, so one does not have to visit other nations to be part of global education. These programs are credit bearing programs, so on this trip, students can earn up to six credits. Everything about this trip is educational. The traveling part is hands-on learning, so people are learning to live together and problem solve together. Everything about it is absolutely educational.”
Pratt expressed his disappointment for not being able to go on the trip, stating, “Unfortunately, I am not traveling on this trip, but I wish I was. I think it is a unique opportunity for students to drive into Yellowstone National Park. This differs from the typical way which is just a drive-by view from their window. Students are traveling with faculty who are very knowledgeable in this particular area. The backcountry permit will allow students to backpack in Yellowstone for three days, the longest you can be. The students will go to different parts of the national park to see different areas and go fly fishing. If I was a student and I was lucky enough to be going, I would really be looking forward to the three day backpacking trip.”
Pratt continued, “A few other things about the study away programs are that I come from the travel industry. I spent my previous years putting travel programs together for other universities. My goal is to make these programs as affordable as possible. Pricewise, this might seem like an expensive trip for students to go on, but we have worked hard to reduce costs for students. I want to let people know that we have scholarships available based on their financial needs. We have digital media scholarships as well. Also, students experience the Experiential Learning Grant (ELG).”
Dr. Adam W. Dean, the History Department chair, is really enthusiastic for his students regarding the possibility for them to go on this trip.
Dean talked about why this trip is so special. He stated, “Yellowstone is the world’s first national park. The geysers, deep sapphire thermal pools, big mountains, and unique ecosystems make it a truly special place. On the trip, students will get off the beaten path to explore Yellowstone, having the chance to see rare wildlife, reach the summits of tall peaks, fly-fish for native trout, and camp under the stars.”
Dean continued, “Yellowstone’s significance goes far beyond U.S. History. The park inspired and influenced the development of national parks across the globe. History majors will discover the reasons why Americans established a national park in 1872 as well as major moments in the park’s history like the eradication and reintroduction of wolves and the 1988 Yellowstone fires. Students will also learn about the human history of the park. 27 indigenous groups lived in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem prior to its establishment as a national park. Professionally, students will learn more about careers in the National Park Service.”
Dean talked about what part of the trip students will enjoy the most, stating, “I think students will enjoy the backpacking trip the most. The vast majority of visitors to Yellowstone do not leave the paved roads, only seeing 3% of the park! On our trip, we will go on an adventure into the Yellowstone backcountry, enabling students to experience everything that makes Yellowstone such an awe-inspiring place.”
University Center for Research Director Jeffrey Herrick further described this trip, stating, “The domestic study away trip to Yellowstone National Park provides students with an opportunity to experience an authentic experience to America’s greatest park. The trip will provide students with opportunities to experience the natural grandeur and beauty of the park up close and personal through guided hiking, camping, mountain biking and fly fishing.”
Herrick concluded, “Two weeks of guided hiking, camping, and fly fishing along with college courses on the history of Yellowstone Park and the benefits of Green Exercise for health and wellness is a tremendous value. A similar trip that a student designed on their own would be much more expensive and very difficult to mimic the locations and experiences we lead.”
If you are interested in this trip, please contact Pratt at studyabroad@lynchburg.edu.