Community Members Return From Trips to Transylvania, NYC

Published: December 05, 2018 | Read Time: 3 minutes

From the haunted shadows of Bran Castle to the bright lights and Broadway shows in the city that never sleeps, community members recently returned from two trips with the SUU Community on the Go travel program, one to Transylvania and another to New York City. Travelers were led by SUU experts who provided an enhanced travel experience by educating participants in areas of their expertise.

Although the fascinating sites in places most people have only read about are one of the best parts about Community on the Go trips, the money raised by travelers actually funds scholarships for students in need, said Community on the Go director Melynda Thorpe.

“SUU’s new community travel program is designed to raise funds for SUU student scholarships and to share the expertise of university experts who serve as guides,” Thorpe said. “Both trips were successful and we are thrilled to contribute $10,000 in scholarships to the SUU English and Psychology departments, the College of Performing and Visual Arts, and The Allies Scholarship benefitting LGBTQIA+ students.”

While supporting SUU scholarships for student learning, Community on the Go participants also enjoy their own educational experiences while traveling with SUU professors and community leaders to domestic and international destinations. Trip leaders are SUU experts that have previously traveled to host destinations and share their expertise and research with participants during the journey, although there is also plenty of free time scheduled.

SUU associate professor of psychology Dr. Grant Corser spoke about fear and why our mind reacts to things that go bump in the night, while Dr. Kyle Bishop, an SUU associate professor of English, led the trekkers to historic Transylvania sites referenced in Bram Stoker’s famous novel “Dracula.” Travelers were also taken on tours of the Carpathian Mountains, House of Horror in Budapest, the banks of the immortal Danube River and the lush farm valleys and mesmerizing mountain peaks of western Romania.

“We chose the trip for the itinerary, but found that traveling with other SUU professors definitely enhanced our travel experience,” said SUU alumni Dusty Anderson. “Not only was the trip planned well, but we learned a lot of history we might not have traveling alone.”

New York catered to arts and theatre lovers while the travelers attended three award-winning Broadway plays, visited three art museums, and saw all of the iconic sights in the Big Apple. New York City travelers were led by Southern Utah Museum of Art director Jessica Farling, and Jeb Branin, associate dean of the School of Integrative and Engaged Learning at SUU and an associate professor of theatre.

“Being part of SUU Community on the Go was a great experience,” said Farling. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my love for art and museums with the group by taking them to some of my favorite museums in New York City. My hope is that I sparked a new appreciation for the visual arts that our trip attendees will bring back home with them.”

SUU Community on the Go trips pair community members with SUU experts for excursions to domestic and international destinations around the world. Activities and itineraries are flexible, and trips are open to the public until filled. This community travel program provides residents with up to four trips a year designed to be educational, affordable and fun. Travel groups typically range between 20-30 participants. An upcoming large group tour to China, in partnership with Cedar City Chamber of Commerce, in April is now open for registration.

For more information, or to reserve your spot on an upcoming trip, visit the Community On the Go website, email onthego@suu.edu or call SUU Community on the Go at (435) 586-7808.

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Tags: International Affairs Community

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