The Study Abroad Office has now released options for next year’s J-term trips, and it appears Luther students and professors will once again be scattered across the globe during the month of January. The J-term study abroad experience has traditionally been very popular among students, and with 23 trips destined to numerous new locations, 2009 looks no different.

The application period runs from April 1 through 21, and students interested in studying abroad for J-term 2009 should stop by the Study Abroad Office in Larsen Hall and pick up a brochure.

Although there are typically about 20 study abroad opportunities over J-term, next year will be a bit different.

“There are more [offerings] than usual this year,” said Yarrow Pasche, administrative assistant in the Study Abroad Office.

Three additional trips are scheduled for the coming J-term, which will allow space for about 35 more students. The programs have also changed slightly.

“There are a lot of programs going to multiple countries,” Pasche said.

One new Paideia II course, entitled Green Germany: Advanced Models of Sustainability, will take students to Germany, Denmark and Iceland to study how communities have adapted to alternate modes of energy and how their practices use energy more efficiently than the United States.

Along with this course is a new Physical Education course that volleyball coach Jane Gibbs will lead in Costa Rica and Norway. The course will involve summer and winter activities, experiencing water sports in frozen and liquid form.

Environmental Studies will also offer a new class entitled Boldly Go: By Road and River, Through the Bolivian, Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon. The program, led by Nick Gomersall, associate professor of economics, will look at the destruction of the rainforest and how this has affected the native people who have been using it to sustain themselves.

Among other programs included for J-term 2009 are trips to Tanzania, India, Hawaii, London/Paris, Jamaica, England, Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Italy/France.

In addition to the application period in April, there will be another opportunity to apply next fall. However, if students want to go abroad over J-term, the Study Abroad Office encourages them to apply early.

“Some classes are full [in September],” says Pasche. “We always encourage students who need a certain class or are super excited about a certain class to apply in the spring.”

Completed applications are returned directly to the Study Abroad Office, which then delivers the applications to the appropriate professors. Acceptance into any program is based on the consent of the instructor, and each instructor has his or her own additional application process, typically including an interview an possible essay.

Most students do not find the application process difficult. Karl Larsen (‘09) traveled to Ghana for a Paideia II course last J-term.

“The application process was fairly simple,” said Larsen.

The J-term study abroad option lends itself especially well to those involved in music and sports, or who find themselves with a tight academic schedule. Larsen is a cross country and track and field athlete.

“I did not want to miss a season, and J-term was very convenient in this sense,” he said.

Erik Johnson (‘11) said that he definitely wants to study abroad during his four years at Luther, and a J-term excursion is very attractive to him because of his busy schedule with Jazz Orchestra and running.

“It wouldn’t be as time-consuming [as a semester program],” said Johnson.

In addition to the accessibility of J-term programs, Pasche also said many students find it appealing that all the trips are led by Luther faculty, which is not always the case with semester or yearlong programs.

“It’s less daunting [than a semester or yearlong program],” said Pasche.

Others cite the brevity of a J-term trip as a disadvantage, feeling that there is not enough time to experience all the place has to offer.

“By the time everything was starting to feel more comfortable, it was time to leave,” said Marissa Torgerson (‘08), of her trip to Peru this past J-term.

Rob Larson, associate professor of management, has led two J-term trips to Australia.

“The downside of study abroad in a three week period is that it isn’t as complete as a semester or yearlong program,” Larson said.

But for those apprehensive about being away for a long period of time, J-term programs offer a short but still enlightening experience. Dirk Marple (‘09) went to Japan for a Paidiea II course.

“It is nice sometimes to be put in a new place for a short period of time, before the homesickness hits you,” Marple said.

“Even a short J-term can give you a taste of what it’s like to be in a foreign place,” said Mark Muggli, professor of English, who lead a Paideia II trip to London.

With the release of the new programs for J-term 2009 students are now able start planning for new experiences of learning and self-discovery during January of 2009.

“Many students value it as one of the best learning experiences they’ve had at college,” said Pasche.