Last week, we had to reluctantly bid farewell to a group of students from Teikyo University (Tokyo Japan) after an eventful 3-week Immersion Excursion. Soon after their arrival, they experienced southern hospitality the right way by dining at Shane’s Rib Shack in Newnan, Ga. Yum, there’s nothing better than BBQ sauce and ribs after a grueling flight from halfway around the globe. Each day after class they were able to explore Columbus. They went shopping at Peachtree mall, viewed art at Columbus Museum, went ice skating at the civic center, walked the Riverwalk, and took a tour of Aflac. They also visited the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and many other places around town. The Teikyo students even got the chance to mingle with local college students for dinner at the Columbus State University cafeteria. On the weekends they made trips to Atlanta to visit the World of Coke, CNN, Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Zoo, and an Atlanta Braves baseball game. The ladies were also able to shop till they dropped at the Perimeter Mall. It’s obvious that their time was well spent during their stay here.
I’ve lived in Georgia all my life and I still have yet to do some of these things. Continuing Education’s Immersion Excursion program definitely lives up to its name because the students are totally immersed in the American culture. It was so hard for our Teikyo students to pack up and leave. This was surely an experience of a lifetime that they will never forget.
Everyone should eventually take the time to experience another culture first hand. You’ll never know how much you can learn unless you go for it. If you or someone you know is interested in experiencing the U.S. in an exciting and authentic way, visit ELI.ColumbusState.edu or call 706.507.8070 for more information.
-Kindra Hunter
