Please see this file for detailed information about the 2024 program: Advertising Document 2024.pdf
Description
Olympism is a philosophy of life that promotes balance amongst the mind, body, and spirit by blending sport with culture and education. Olympism seeks to create a way of life based upon the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility, and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. To that end, Olympic Quest considers how sport, leisure, and the modern Olympic Games may inform the participant of societal and cultural themes and differences. Through daily fieldwork, excursions, interaction with guest speakers and guides, reflective journaling practices, course readings, participation in popular sports and leisure activities, and instructor and student-led presentations, participants will have the unique opportunity to examine the intersection of sport and leisure within western European society.
Overview & Locations
The program will include stays in the following cities:
Germany: Berlin (Olympiastadion Tour, Checkpoint Charlie Wall Museum, Topography of Terror Documentation Center, Underworld Berlin Tour), Wittenberg (Stadkirche, Lutherhaus, Schosskriche), Munich (Allianz Stadium Tour, Dachau Concentration Camp Tour, Tour of Olympia Park, BMW Welt), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Neuschwanstein Castle, Tour of Grobe Olympiaschanze).
France: Paris (Paris tour, Sacre Coeur, Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, Catacombes de Paris, Bike tour of Paris) Normandy (Day trip to tour region and visit Normandy American Cemetery).
England: London (Walking tour of London, Queen Elizabeth Park, London Marathon Community Track, London Aquatics Center, Wimbledon Lawns Tennis Museum, Fuller's Griffin Brewery Tour, West End Show), Telford ( Warner Bros Studio Tour, Shakespeare's Birthplace).
Academic Calendar
Expected dates
Fall 2023: orientation meetings on campus - students who are away in the fall should contact Professor Banks.
Study away arrival date: January 4, 2024 (the group departs the U.S. on January 3)
Study away return date: January 24, 2023
Faculty Leader
Aaron Banks, Health and Exercise Science
An avid traveler and Olympic enthusiast, Aaron Banks has successfully designed multiple J-Term programs around the world and led more than 300 Gustavus students on unique and life changing international study abroad courses. In what will be its tenth offering, Olympic Quest investigates the history of the ancient and modern Olympic Games through a cultural, philosophical, societal, and athletic lens, focusing upon the impact that the Games have had on the development of Western civilization. A popular course, Olympic Quest has traversed the globe, taking participants to Australia, New Zealand, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. In the spring of 2015, I was honored to receive the the Ruth Mason Award for Excellence in January Off-Campus Teaching.
Bonnie Reimann, Health and Exercise Science
This is Bonnie's 19th year at Gustavus. After completing her PhD in 2014 and achieving tenure in the spring of 2015, she is eager to further her research interests in physical education/health pedagogy, and issues related to girls and women and physical activity. She serves as the advisor for Health and Physical Education students and advisor for coaching students. When Bonnie is not involved with life at Gustavus, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, photography, and travel. Bonnie is teaming up with Aaron Banks on another January term (this will be her 10th Olympic Quest!) in January 2024!
Accommodation
Anticipated accommodations will include hotels and hostels.
Program Costs
The program fee will be between $7,750 and $7,995 (updated 5/15) and includes international flights from Minneapolis to Berlin and London to Minneapolis; all lodging and local transportation within and between Germany, France, and the UK; two meals per day; supplemental travel accident and sickness insurance; and instruction, guides, activities, entrance fees, tips, and excursions. Students should budget approximately $450 to $500 for one meal per day. Students may wish to budget an additional $250 - $500 for personal expenses.
Scholarships
Students with significant financial need or other barriers to participation may apply for a j-term scholarship here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcmWZADM8RuNdi8v6g7PmDR5E4iGZ5ofXEPV_kxGNlQL7NZQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
J-term scholarships are very limited in number and typically offer modest support of $500-$750.
The deadline to apply for a j-term scholarship is May 1st.
Eligibility
All Gustavus Adolphus College students who meet the general study away requirements are welcome to apply.
Application Deadline
Students must complete the online application by May 1, 2023.
Entry visas and passports
U.S. citizens will be able to obtain Schengen visitors visa upon arrival in Berlin which is valid for both Germany and France. No visa is needed for entry into the UK for US citizens. All students who are not U.S. citizens should contact Matthew Hirman about possible additional visa needs. All program participants must have a passport that is valid through at least July 31, 2024, by the start of Fall 2023 semester.
The information in this online brochure is subject to change. Please contact CICE with questions.
