Last summer students experienced the vast green depth of Africa. This time, students enrolled in the 2011 Study Abroad Program will roam cities in southern Spain and Morocco.

The three-week program planned by the communication and film department is scheduled to Granada, Spain, and several cities in Morocco such as Rabat, the capitol.

“Study abroad is a life changing experience,” trip co-director Carrie Hutchinson said. “That’s why I always encourage students to find a way to make it happen.”

Hutchinson is also a communication teacher at City College, and will be teaching intercultural communication during the trip.

The other co-director, Curtis Bieber, chair of film and television production department, will be handling the documentary filmmaking.

“I will cover the fundamentals of documentary filmmaking, including finding and creating the story, the question of ‘reality’ and manipulating reality in documentary,” Bieber said. “And I will of course teach the technical skills of shooting, sound and editing.”

Both courses are transferable and count for a total of six units.

Last year the study abroad program went to Rwanda, Africa, where the students helped out at orphanages, and taught English, film and photography to adults.

“I would absolutely encourage every student to study abroad,” said Chelsea Simon, a student who attended the Rwandan trip. “Not only does it expand your world view; it provides a unique opportunity to live a day in the life of someone else.”

Hutchinson said the planned trip to Morocco and Spain will differ a lot from the trip to Rwanda.

In Rwanda, they served and taught other people. During this trip the students will instead—besides learning film and communication—have field trips to experience the culture and architecture, and get to know the people.

Hutchinson also said she wanted students in the program to go to Morocco and Spain because of the countries’ uniqueness and the contrast between them.

The students will be able to record their own stories and other peoples’ experiences and history through documentary filming.

Everybody qualifies to apply on a first come, first serve basis. Students do not have to be a film or communication major, and they do not have to be currently enrolled at City College.

The only requirements are that students enroll for the 2011 summer session and that they are at least 18 years old upon takeoff.

The fee for this program is approximately $2750, which includes housing in double/triple rooms, required field trips, excursions and ferry trip from Spain to Morocco.

It also includes breakfast and TravelGuard Travel Insurance. However, students will have to pay for airfare and additional fees for the classes.

The last day for application is May 1, 2011. So far five people have applied, but Hutchinson expects the remaining seats to fill up after thanksgiving.

An information meeting will be held 4 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 16 at Communication Lab, BC102.

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