MSU students will be able to study abroad on all seven continents next winter if a proposed plan is approved for travel to Antarctica.
MSU already has 183 programs in 57 countries.
Paul Roberts, director of study abroad and international training for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the college hopes to send the proposal to Study Abroad by the end of the week. He said there are already 43 study abroad programs at the college and more proposals are on the way.
"We try to look at different parts of the world, it's the nature of our studies," he said.
John Hesse, an adjunct instructor of fisheries and wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the proposal includes having a pilot program for winter break 2003-04 and a future semesterlong program with 12-14 students.
"It's certainly the first ever from MSU and probably the first-ever study abroad to the Antarctic for undergraduates anywhere," he said. "It's just such a unique environment."
Hesse said the proposal is to fly to the southern tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina, and take a ship through the Drake Passage that will dock in Antarctica.
On the two-day passage, Hesse said students will listen to lectures and briefings on science topics.
Once students arrive at the Antarctic Peninsula, they will live on the ship for 12 days to visit research labs and study unique wildlife, Hesse said.
"There are research vessels set up by 48 different countries," he said. "Students will learn about the history of whaling and sailing.
"There are also an awful lot of seals and whales and unique birds that you just can't see anywhere else."
He said because of traveling on the ship, the trip will cost students about $5,000 plus tuition and airfare.
Kathleen Fairfax, director of the Office of Study Abroad, said the trip sounds fascinating, but the proposal hasn't been submitted to her office.
"The proposal must first be approved by the college and departments," she said. The college will then submit it to the Office of Study Abroad, then to a committee of designated faculty extensively review the possible program, she said. Finally, it will be presented to the Dean of International Studies and Programs.
Mark Wilson, associate professor of urban planning and geography in the College of Social Science, said Antarctica is a very sensitive location that few people get a chance to experience. He said this was the fifth program he has helped plan.
"It's great to study on how the environment is changing," he said. "Antarctica is a significant environment to study earth science and social issues."
Sue Carter, secretary to the Board of Trustees and executive assistant to MSU President M. Peter McPherson, said she has visited the North Pole and would jump at the opportunity to travel to Antarctica .
Carter said she has been part of the extensive review process of study abroad that carefully looks over each new program.
"Students going to the Antarctic will, I imagine, experience extremely unrelenting cold but also a beautiful environment that is really without parallel."
Brian Charlton can be reached at charlt10@msu.edu.
