Frazzled because you are not sure how to get the most out of your summer vacation? If you hurry, you could join those students already preparing for a 12-day tropical learning adventure.
The trip, organized by Dr. Robert Peplies of the department of geography, geology and geomatics, is set to embark between July 12 and 16, and will include travel to Hawaii for two days, Australia for four days and New Zealand for three days.
Still, the fun does not have to stop there. Students may opt to add an extra two days to their vacation and visit Fiji.
“The Southern Hemisphere is something of a forgotten world,” said Dr. David Jennings, a professor of geography, geology and geomatics who will be participating in the trip. “We tend to limit ourselves to the Northern Hemisphere; it’s hemispherical bias. This tour is meant to provide insight into this cultural realm.”
The trip is open to anyone, although upper-level science undergraduate and graduate students enrolling in the new Geography of Oceania course will get an added bonus by earning three credit hours.
Requirements for students enrolled in the course include a pre-trip meeting and course syllabus review, student journal, post-trip meeting, re-write of journal, formal written report on a related topic and an exam.
“This tour is especially a great opportunity for older students to get college credit in the summer term,” said Tamara Bowers, coordinator for the School of Continuing Studies.
With this in mind, any interested bachelor of general studies students should contact a BGS adviser to discuss this option. Yet students may choose to forego the class altogether and attend simply for their own enjoyment and the chance to broaden their scope of knowledge about this area of the world.
“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then being there is worth a million,” Jennings said.
E. F. Educational Tours, a travel agency, is handling the trip.
There is a $95 non-refundable registration fee due April 9. Costs are $2,400 for those under 25 years of age and $2,700 for those over 25. This price includes round-trip airfare from the Tri-Cities airport, all overnight accommodations, American-style breakfasts, two dinners, tour guides, in-depth field explanations, all transfer costs, inter-city transportation and entrance fees to select attractions.
There is no limit to the number of students that may attend. “We want the airplane to be full,” Jennings said.
Peplies added, “The registration deadline is rapidly approaching. “
Those interested should contact Peplies at his office at 439-7654, at home at 926-1078 or by e-mail to pepliesr@etsu.edu. Bowers may be reached at 439-4223 or by e-mail at bowerst@etsu.edu.

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