The Winter Term class, Coming Home, a Study Abroad Experience, focused on past study abroad experiences.
Twenty seven students who participated in the Winter Term class Coming Home, a Study Abroad Experience, have published a book they hope will serve as guide for other students planning to study abroad.
The global studies class focused on past study abroad experiences. While the students studied abroad individually during their spring or fall semesters, their combined travels put them all over the map—from Australia to Copenhagen to Brazil.
Led by Elon Sociology Professor Tom Arcaro, the students spent three weeks telling their stories, which culminated in a 170-page book detailing the ins and outs of studying abroad. The students noted the book, titled #Cultured, A Guide to Study Abroad for Students by Students, is not a travel guide but rather a collection of stories meant to offer a glimpse of life abroad for future study abroad students.
Junior Emily Delaplane travelled to Brighton, England last fall. Along with Junior Robin French, Delaplane was a leader in the final book editing process. While it only took three months to publish the official copy, Delaplane had her doubts.
“Knowing Dr. Arcaro I would have definitely thought the book would be published,” she said. “Knowing a group of college students? I wasn’t totally convinced.”
Despite the many setbacks and obvious learning curve, Delaplane said she is thrilled with the completed work. Students in the Coming Home class spent hundreds of hours working on the project. The book was completed May 4 and a book signing reception was held on campus May 15.
“Despite the many emails, texts and desperate phone calls, I was extremely impressed by my classmates’ ability to put together such an amazing and informative book,” Delaplane said.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com. All proceeds will support a need-based scholarship fund for Elon University students studying abroad in the future.