Travel Courses

The Guatemalan Highlands: Antigua and Chichicastenango

Dr. Margaret Wade, Dean of the Math and Natural Science Division at Midland College, will lead an exciting travel course. The continuing education course, emphasizing the culture and ecology of Guatemala, will be offered April 1-8, 2019.

Antigua, Guatemala, is known worldwide for its celebration of Lent. This course will expose participants to to the activities of the Lenten season, the culture of the Mayan people, and the ecology of the area. Participants will compare the culture and ecology of the Guatemala highlands with what they have experienced in Texas.

Once in Guatemala, the trip will include visits to the San Antonio Aguascalientes Weaving Market, churches in various communities, the Iximche archaeological site, the historic ruins of Ciudad Vieja, the Pascual Abaj Shrine, the Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm, the Museum of Semana Santa, and the Finca Filadelfia coffee plantation.

Estimated Program Cost per Traveler

$1,900/person based on double occupancy (add $350 for a single lodging)

• $500 deposit due upon registration
• 50% balance 90 days before the trip (January 1, 2019)
• Final balance due 30 days before the trip (March 2, 2019)

Cost Includes

Lodging, private transportation, private tour guides, all entry fees, and breakfasts.

Cost does Not Included

Airfare to and from Guatemala City, lunches and dinners, tips for service providers (drivers, guides, maids, waiters), and CE fee. Travel Insurance optional for an extra fee.

Questions? Contact

Dr. Margaret Wade
(432) 685-4615
mwade@midland.edu

Coral Reefs ecosystems: Anthony's Key, Honduras

Coral reefs are a complex ecosystem that spans the globe. The condition of coral reefs are often regarded as a “barometer” for the overall health of Coral Reefs are endangered world-wide. Pollution, climate change, and overfishing are thought to be a few of the contributing factors influencing coral demise. Understanding the factors and conditions that favor demise, may lead to courses of action which could stem further destruction. Hence, Midland College seeks to travel to Roatan, Honduras and study the coral reef system there in order to contribute the knowledge base.

Specifically, the Midland College team will engage in:

• Acquisition and analysis of bacterial samples that populate diseased coral on the Roatan, Honduras coral reef.
• Acquisition and analysis of water samples that populate diseased coral on the Roatan, Honduras coral reef. Specific analytes to be tested are: phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfide.
• Monitor water quality on the Roatan, Honduras coral reef. Parameters studied will be temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), reduction-oxidation potential (ROP), turbidity.
• Counting and assessment of fish populations that frequent the coral reef.

 

Estimated Cost per Traveler

Cost: $3,500

• $500 deposit due upon registration
• 50% balance 90 days before the trip (January 1, 2019)
• Final balance due 30 days before the trip (March 2, 2019)

Cost Includes

The Anthony’s Key Resort fee is approximately $1000 (all-inclusive for room/meals/ground transportation/tours/scuba diving. Air Fare is a separate cost (approx. $1000). Rental of scuba equipment (approx. $500). Lodging accommodations are covered in the course fee.

Cost Does Not Include

Not included in the price: tuition, fees, texts, meals not included above, gratuities to guides and drivers, passport expenses, insurances and personal expenses.

Questions? Contact

Dr. Margaret Wade
(432) 685-4615
mwade@midland.edu

Edinburgh to London

We are happy to announce that the Fine Arts and Communications division is sponsoring a trip to Scotland and England this coming June.

The trip is open to students, faculty, and community members. Likewise, the trip is connected to Allison Brown's British Literature II course (English 2323), so students who want or need an additional English course have the option of traveling for credit.

On the trip we will visit Edinburgh, York, Chatsworth House, Stratford-upon-Avon, a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Oxford, Harry Potter Studios, Stonehenge, and London. Cultural connections include a traditional Haggis Dinner, and a Tower of London opening ceremony.

Learning Objectives

• Students will gain an understanding of how the geographical diversity of the British Isles led to differing land use and significant regional differences.
• Students will gain a greater sense for Shakespeare and his works by visiting his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and attending a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
• Students will become acquainted with Edinburgh's history via a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

The program fee includes round-trip airfare, a 24-hour tour manager, ground transportation, hotels, entrance fees, and daily breakfast and dinner.  For those who choose to enroll in an automatic payment plan, the payment deadline is mid April 2019.

Cost Per Traveler

$5,025
$838/Month, using an automatic payment plan

Early Registration Discount
-$100

Additional Fees (as applicable)
Adult Surcharge - $95
Single Room Supplement - $760
Double Room Supplement - $360
Ultimate Protection Plan - $300
Comprehensive Protection Plan - $250

Full Payment Deadline
March 1, 2019

Questions? Contact

Allison Brown
(432) 685-4648
abrown@midland.edu