May term of­fers trop­i­cal ex­pe­ri­ence

Stu­dents will go snor­kel­ing in coral reefs, hike through the Hawaii Vol­cano Na­tional Park, wit­ness vol­canic lava first­hand, see ge­o­log­i­cal points of in­ter­est, view Wai­pio Val­ley, visit mu­se­ums and na­tional mon­u­ments and ex­plore the Hawaii Trop­i­cal Botan­i­cal Gar­dens.

Stu­dents will spend a week­end at Hakalau For­est Na­tional Wildlife Refuge, where they will plant trees to re­store a na­tive rain for­est and see en­dan­gered species.

"Each is­land has a sub­cul­ture all its own," said fresh­man Cal­lie Hart­man, a par­tic­i­pat­ing stu­dent. "It’ll be so eye-open­ing to see such a rich, di­verse cul­ture that is so di­verse, yet a part of our own coun­try."

As­sign­ments for the May term will in­clude read­ings, ex­ams, quizzes, a field note­book and a jour­nal.

There will be a spir­i­tual side to the trip as an eco­log­i­cal and aca­d­e­mic side.

"Stu­dents will come away with a sense of pride and ac­com­plish­ment from help­ing to re­store the na­tive rain­for­est of Hawaii," said Weak­land. "This is true Chris­tians stew­ard­ship of nat­ural re­sources, and there­fore it is a mis­sion that is build­ing the king­dom of God on Earth."

Stu­dents will at­tend class from May 10 to 14, and spend 14 to 28 trav­el­ing. In­ter­ested stu­dents can ap­ply at the Se­mes­ter Abroad of­fice. The cost is $2000, which in­cludes air fare, trans­porta­tion, food, lodg­ing and field trip ex­penses. The cost does not in­clude May term tu­ition, which must be paid sep­a­rately. Aca­d­e­mic credit for the trip is equiv­a­lent to a sci­ence course with a lab. Up to ten stu­dents can sign up for the trip.

"This is a great hands-on learning experience," concluded Weakland. "It is an amazing experience to see molten lava up-close and to swim next to sea turtles, tropical fish and dolphins."