The global education partnership program at De Anza College provides students the opportunity to spend this summer overseas studying the cultures in Belize, Vietnam or China. The programs are open to De Anza students for enrollment and offer financial aid and scholarships.

The program in Belize offers students field-work working at preserves for jaguars, manatees and raptors, and is designed for students interested in environmental studies. The program in Vietnam offers studying sociology and political science, while the China trip concentrates on English, Chinese literature and culture.

Each program still has openings available. “We have five seats left for Belize; we can take eight or nine for Vietnam and 10 for China,” director of the Global Education Partnership Program John Swensson said. “So, students can go overseas for summer school, or they can take their summer school here and then have a second summer school overseas, and get more credit.

De Anza students must have completed a minimum of six units to apply for the program. To help students afford the costs of the trip, De Anza offers both general financial aid and local scholarships of $500, which come from donors who support the overseas programs through The Foothill-De Anza Foundation.

“We have individual interviews with students to make sure they’re acceptable. A student must have a GPA no less than 2.5,” said Swensson. “Scholarships cover only part of the costs. For example, the China trip costs $3,000; it’s the most expensive trip.” Combined with financial aid, this covers most of the cost.

“President Brian Murphy wants students at De Anza to have the same opportunities as at a four-year school,” said Swensson. “Travel and multiculturalism are very important. While our Europe programs are no longer running, Asia programs are continuing at De Anza.”

De Anza has six sister colleges in Vietnam. China’s Institute for Petrochemical Technology is a sister college to De Anza located in Beijing.

The trips start in early August. Contact Swensson at 408-590-4430 for more information.