Caribbean Islands—Communication

Join us in January 2024 for an exciting hybrid program: on campus in Putney, Vermont; and in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

COM3065: Internatural Communication in Putney, Vermont and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (3 credits)

Learn about humans’ relationship with nature and animals while exploring the great outdoors.

Program Dates

January 2–18, 2024. This course follows the J-Term 2024 schedule.

  • Arrival on campus Monday, January 1, 2024
  • Course begins on campus Tuesday, January 2, 2024
  • Travel to St. Croix as a group on Thursday, January 11, 2024
  • Return to Vermont Thursday, January 18, 2024 (course ends)

Program Overview

This course focuses on the relationship between humans and nature.

There are many active outdoor components of this course, both in Vermont and in St. Croix. Students will participate in activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and a rural farm stay (TBD).

Students will study societal beliefs about the environment and animals, and look at economic and relational factors that have shaped our views of nature. This course will focus on communication and relationships with animals including wildlife, pets, service animals, and farm animals.

Students in this program will spend the week of the course on Landmark College’s Putney, VT campus and will travel to the island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands for the duration of the course.

Important Notes

  • This program does not require a passport, since St. Croix is part of the United States
  • Please see the “Special Considerations” tab in the FAQ section below for additional information about the program’s structure.

Travel Information

  • This program begins on campus during J-term 2024. All students must arrive on campus on January 1, following guidance from Residence Life staff. The group will depart for St. Croix on Thursday, January 11 and return to campus at the end of the program, on Thursday, January 18.
  • The itinerary and program fee include a group flight from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT, to Henry E. Rohlsen airport in St. Croix, USVI. All students and at least one program leader will travel on this flight.

Program Documents

Program documents, including a handbook and syllabus, will be posted here in late November.

Caribbean Islands—Communication Study Abroad Program Details & FAQs

Students in this program will spend one week at our Putney, VT, campus and one week in St. Croix, USVI.

While on campus, students will live in campus housing, eat at the dining hall, and follow a regular schedule of class sessions.

There are many active outdoor components of this course, both in Vermont and in St. Croix. Students will participate in activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and a rural farm stay (TBD)

Please refer to the following for an understanding of the pace and demands of the St. Croix portion of the trip:

Free time/Independence: Low. The program itinerary is highly structured and students will have some, but not many, opportunities to explore on their own.

Physical Demands: High. This program may include hiking, kayaking, physical volunteer work and other activities. Students concerned about physical limitations are encouraged to talk with the study abroad office and program leaders.

Transitions: High. This program moves around a lot: ten days on campus followed by several short stays in different locations in St. Croix.

Stimuli: High. This program includes lots of contact with nature: varying weather conditions, heat, bugs, and various animals, large and small.

Prerequisites

  • Good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or above)
  • Successful completion of WRT1011
  • Grade of C or higher in COM1011

OR permission of the department chair, Eric Matte

Note: Students who have taken COM2061: Animal & Human Communication are not eligible to take this course.

Academic Director: Lee Crocker, Associate Professor of Communication

Lee Crocker is an Associate Professor of Communication at Landmark College. Lee earned her Master’s in Special Education and Reading from Sage Graduate School, Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Vermont, and C.A.G., Autism Spectrum Disorders from Antioch University New England.

Lee’s academic interests include animals and human communication and relationships, autism spectrum disorders, and social pragmatics.

Program Director: TBD

Bio forthcoming.

Program Cost: $6,700

Cost of this program will be determined as soon as possible and will include:

  • 3-credit course
  • Room & board on Landmark College's Putney, VT campus for the first segment of the course
  • Transportation to and from St. Croix
  • Transportation, housing, and field trips while in St. Croix
  • Some group meals

Student spending can vary depending on the individual. Additional costs are estimated at about $200-300 and include:

  • Most meals
  • Free time activities
  • Laundry
  • Souvenirs, gifts, etc.

There is limited financial aid available for this program through funding from Landmark College’s “Global Engagement” Scholarship. The scholarship application deadline was November 1, 2023.

Program and Scholarship Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2023 (no longer accepting applications)

Notification of acceptance and scholarship decisions: Friday, November 10, 2023

Program deposit ($1,500 to confirm seat, nonrefundable) due: Monday, November 20, 2023