UR around the world!

Learn by doing! University of Regina students have had some amazing hands-on learning experiences this summer in exotic locations like London, Kyoto, and Madrid.

Studying abroad was everything I expected it to be, it was interesting, meaningful, and of course educational. Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management student Savana Finlayson.

London, England

Led by Dr. Melissa Morgan, the University of Regina Choirs were invited to perform at Cadogan Hall in London, England as part of the choral festival I Dream A World: A Celebration of Music by Black American Composers.

The group had the opportunity to work with Dr. Rosephanye Powell and her husband, conductor Dr. William Powell, both from Auburn University of Alabama, as well as conductor and pianist Dr. Brandon Boyd from Missouri State University. There were approximately 150 singers on stage accompanied by a full orchestra.

U of R alum and High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, Ralph Goodale was in the audience and invited the group to join him at London’s Canada House the following night, to watch a performance from The Tenors. The Tenors even ended up inviting the choir to sing a portion of their performance from the night before!

Kyoto, Japan

Students in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance had the opportunity to travel to Japan as part of their ART 290JP – The Art of Kyoto class. Robert Truszkowski, Visual Arts Department Head and Professor, was joined by 22 others (20 undergrad students, one Master of Fine Arts grad, and one partner) as they toured around the cultural capital of Japan.

“I’m a big believer in travel as a means to better understand the world, and oneself, and I feel so fortunate that I have a job that lets me do that for myself and my students,” says Truszkowski.

The group visited many of the main tourist sites in Kyoto, plus large and small art galleries, workshops, and two universities. They also took part in a number of special events including a Geisha performance and meet-and-greet and a traditional dance workshop and performance with Truszkowski’s children’s Japanese dance teacher from when he and his family lived in Kyoto.

“I learned a lot about the Japanese etiquettes and their culture in a classroom setting, but being able to interact with the locals and apply it was such an engaging experience,” says Bachelor of Fine Arts student Czarina Querijero.

Aside from the sights, sounds, and delicious food in Kyoto, the students also participated in many unique hands-on learning opportunities. Each student did their own “Park Presentation” on a topic of their choice, which included Japanese animation, Japanese sword and blade making, and cosplay.

“An experience like this trip to Kyoto is very different than, say, a 200-level class in the printmaking studio. Students can see these things in a textbook, online or on social media, but this is immersion,” says Truszkowski. “Looking at a photograph of Kiyomizudera temple is one thing, but standing in a thousand year old temple, feeling the immensity of the structure, smelling the incense, watching the sunlight reflect off the gold altarpieces, even being swept up in the density of the crowds, activates the scene in a way that will stay with them forever.”

Madrid, Spain

Fifteen Kinesiology and Health Studies students attended a five-day international sports marketing conference in Madrid. The students attended lectures and participated in  several hands-on learning activities including tours of Metropolitano Stadium and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a tour of Microsoft's Global Sports Innovation Center, and a case study. For the case study, students worked in groups (with other students from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, and Slovakia) to prepare and deliver presentations on various sport marketing topics.

 The group also did some exploring outside of the classroom and visited the aquaducts and castle (Alcázar) in Segovia and the beaches of Valencia.

“Studying abroad was everything I expected it to be, it was interesting, meaningful, and of course educational,” says Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management student Savana Finlayson. “For me, sport management is all about networking and making connections. I now have knowledge of international sport marketing, and the connections to utilize in my future.”

Are you ready to learn around the world?

The Centre for Experiential and Service Learning at the U of R will work with you to identify your career, academic, and personal goals and discover hands-on learning opportunities both in and outside of the classroom.

Are you interested in exploring the world while obtaining credit towards your program(s)? UR International's Study Abroad and Global Mobility Office offers a variety of programs ranging in length from one week to one year. These programs allow you to study, conduct research, and complete internships or practicum placements in hundreds of locations around the world.

Find out more about hands-on learning opportunities at the Centre for Experiential and Service Learning.

In addition, international study tours are fantastic learning opportunities that give you the chance to immerse yourself in new cultures, languages, societies, and worldviews while engaging academically with peers and faculty members.