UWG Creates Adult Study Abroad Opportunities for Local Organizations Share this page
The University of West Georgia has begun to offer community organizations and businesses the opportunity to travel abroad as a group. Through UWG Global Engagements, the university created two such educational travel programs in central Italy this semester: one for SoleRoots Racing in Carrollton and the other for the Oenophile Institute in Smyrna.
“We have known for some time now the incredible – and quantifiable – benefits our students receive from a high-impact practice like study abroad,” explained Dr. Chad Davidson, executive director of global engagements. “It's time we opened up these lifelong-learning opportunities to our community as well.”
Davidson argues that what UWG Global Engagements offers is different from most travel packages.
“We work in concert with the business and organization leaders to create a travel program specific to their participants and desires,” he explained.
For the SoleRoots program, for instance, UWG included “destination runs” through the vineyards of Montefalco and the olive groves of Cocciolano. For the Oenophile Institute – a wine-education entity near Atlanta – the focus shifted to vineyard tours, tastings and educational classes supplied by the teaching faculty at the institute.
“As a small-business owner, I dream of how SoleRoots can grow in other places,” said Christin Woodard of SoleRoots Racing. “The partnership with UWG made that dream a reality.”
What's more, her participants “experienced what pictures just can't do justice to ... the small details of touching ancient stone, the eloquently curated meals, sitting among the harvest of olive trees and vineyards – the list just goes on.”
That sentiment was shared by the Oenophile Institute, whose program followed SoleRoots.
“UWG made every moment of our Umbria enrichment trip seamless, thoughtful and deeply enriching,” explained Chelsea Young, owner of the institute and its chief wine educator. “UWG’s approach fostered real connection within the group, allowing wine, culture and conversation to flow naturally into an experience none of us will forget.”
With UWG’s deep ties in central Italy – where the university already runs three different student study-abroad programs each summer – the offerings to adults can be highly curated and collaborative.
“We are extremely proud of what we have built in central Italy for our students and are looking to leverage those connections in order to expand our offerings beyond our campus,” said Brandy Barker, assistant vice president of placemaking at UWG.
For more information on how your business or organization might cocreate a travel program with UWG Global Engagements, contact Dr. Chad Davidson at davidson@westga.edu.