11/11/13 jgm
The Department of Modern Languages and the Department of Geosciences at Fort Hays State University, in conjunction with FHSU's two new partner universities in Ukraine, will offer a new travel-abroad program for the spring semester.

Students will take two courses -- one credit hour each -- taught by Maxim Maximov, instructor of modern languages, and Dr. John Heinrichs, chair of the Department of Geosciences. Students will learn about Ukraine and to take steps planning for a trip there from May 18 to May 29.

Students will navigate across the country from the far western city of Lviv to the Crimean Peninsula in the south.

Each FHSU student will be paired with a Ukrainian student from FHSU's partner universities -- the National University of Water Management and the Natural Resources, Rivne, and University of Economics and Management, Simferopol. The Ukrainian students will meet the FHSU students at the airport and spend the 10 days travelling together.

"Our students will really get to see and to experience how their peers in Ukraine live, what they like and what they do," said Maximov. "With the help of our Ukrainian friends, we will have ample opportunity to enjoy the famous Ukrainian hospitality and have authentic experiences of the local culture, cuisine and folklore."

Maximov explained that students will "visit various historical sites from medieval castles in the countryside of Western Ukraine, the charming downtown of Lviv and the glorious churches of the ancient capital Kiev, to impressive World War II memorials."

"Crossing close to a thousand kilometers of Ukraine's territory by bus and train will let us experience its diverse landscapes," said Maximov. "The special highlight is the shores of the Black Sea once we reach the Crimean peninsula."

Students will also visit the two partner universities and have the opportunity for hands-on experience of the similarities and differences in higher education in the two countries.

The number of participants is limited, and the available slots will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Application forms and instructions are available upon request.

Details of the program will be covered at the upcoming information meeting from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, in the Pioneer Room, Memorial Union.

For more information regarding this travel-abroad program, please contact Maximov at mlmaximov@fhsu.edu or Heinrichs at jheinric@fhsu.edu