A new fall study abroad program is projected to launch in 2014 for Union’s junior biology majors.
Dr. Bolyard, professor of biology and department chairman, founded the program two years ago when he saw an interest among biology students for such an experience.
Students choose one of three locations in London, England, or one of two locations in Dublin, Ireland, taking an upper-level science course there to receive credit toward their major.
Schools include Kings College, University of Roehampton and University of Reading in England, and Trinity College and University College Dublin in Ireland.
The department offers an annual $1, 000 scholarship to a student who qualifies under certain academic standards, including a high grade point average and an essay describing the applicant’s intent to serve in a cross-cultural setting.
It all started when something caught Bolyard’s attention.
“It was about two years ago, [and] we had two biology majors who went to Costa Rica,” Bolyard said. “They took Spanish and a course for which they got parasitology credit.”
As he was finalizing the students’ transfer of credit with Victoria Malone, visiting instructor of language who coordinates Union’s external study programs, Malone suggested the possibility of a new biology study-abroad program.
“Shortly after that, I did a survey of upper-level biology majors asking the question, ‘Would you be interested in studying abroad?’” Bolyard said.
To his surprise, more than 80 percent of those surveyed responded positively, and planning for the program began.
“We wanted the program to have both academic excellence and a genuine mission component to it,” Malone said. “Dr. Bolyard made an extensive site visit to confirm our location and program choices.”
The study abroad experience incorporates the educational experience at the chosen university, the connection of serving in a church and touring the surrounding areas through International Study Abroad, an organization that performs much “leg work” of their experience.
“ISA was chosen because they share our desire for high standards,” Malone said. “They partner with international institutions that have met the same level of accreditation in their academic circles as Union has in SACS. We also have a system by which all courses are approved by the student’s adviser here at Union.”
More than a study abroad program, Bolyard emphasized the importance of how it integrates service into the experience.
“Last fall in his convocation address, Dr. Dockery talked about Lottie Moon and about how the university needs to be kingdom-oriented,” Bolyard said. “It solidified for me that it’s important for students to not just go overseas and take a biology course that they could get here and then come home; there ought to be some kingdom-oriented element to it, and that’s where the serve part comes in.”
