Summer Abroad Classes Offered

Taking college courses during the summer doesn’t sound like much fun--that is, unless it leads students to places like Costa Rica, Honduras or Mexico.

The Ventura College Summer 1997 Abroad program provides hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in marine biology, field biology or Spanish. The Ventura County Community College District unanimously approved the programs last week.

The marine biology program will take students to Roatan Island, Honduras, from June 19 to July 10, where students will participate in an assessment study for the Sandy Bay Marine Reserve. Students will also develop a basic understanding of coral reef ecology and the principles of marine resource multiuse management.

The field biology program, from June 16 to July 17, will take students to Costa Rica to introduce them to the ecology and diversity of marine and estuarine tropical habitats in that area. The emphasis will be on comparing Caribbean and Pacific coastal ecosystems. After three weeks in Costa Rica, the course resumes at Ventura College for two weeks.

The Spanish in Mexico program will give students the opportunity to live with Mexican families and study Mexican history and literature appropriate to their language skill level. Cultural activities and excursions also are part of the program, which begins June 28 and ends July 27.

Registration for the summer semester begins May 9 for continuing students and May 13 for new students. The abroad programs cost between $1,700 and $2,300. For more information, call 654-6464.