Preparing for May Module
Photo by Heather Suggitt
Centenary offers a range of travel abroad programs, one of these being May Module. The students participating get to choose from a variety of destinations, both in and out of the United States. However, given the COVID-19 global outbreak in 2020, this experience has had to be put on hold. For the past two years May Module was cancelled. However, Anne - Marie Bruner Tracey, the director of intercultural engagement at Centenary, is hopeful that this year will be different
“As of now, there are plans for May Module to happen!” said Bruner-Tracey. “Nothing is quite set in stone yet, and we have to be quite flexible, but we are doing what we can to make these trips happen.”
Despite the past two years of staying put, things are starting to look up. With the various methods of making sure one is COVID free, traveling internationally is starting to open back up. Centenary was already able to send out the freshman class to Paris in August, and students were able to sign up for and be put into their desired May Module course.
Even though there is hope among the students, they know not to get too hopeful. There is always the possibility of an event occurring, COVID-19 related or not, that could potentially cancel the module. There are many things now to factor in when it comes to international travel, especially with a group of students. When faced with not-so-definite possibilities, it is important that those doing the booking and planning keep open minds.
“The main thing both students and faculty members that plan on going can do, is to be willing to change and adapt,” explained Bruner-Tracey. “Making and following through with our Plan A is good and ideal, but you never know how things will play out. Now, having a Plan B is, in many ways, more important.”
For those students who do plan on leaving the country for Module, there are some things they can start doing now to start preparing. First and foremost, those wishing to travel abroad will need to be vaccinated. Many of the countries offered have strict traveling rules, especially for people coming from America. Students can look up their chosen destination and their specific travel guidelines. Another way students can help not get behind is to make sure their passports are still valid.
“Ideally, your passports should be valid for at least 3-6 months after your departure,” Bruner-Tracey shared. “For example, Greece, even though it is not offered this year, requires for those visiting to have their passports being valid 6 months after they leave. So, if students are going to be headed back to the U.S. in May 2022, then their passports should still be good at least until August 2022.”
Photo by Tapio Haaja
For those wanting to learn more about May Module, the page for it on Centenary’s Module webpage and Bruner-Tracey, found in the Admissions’ building, are great resources for now. Throughout the Spring semester, the different countries with have meetings to go over more specific details. Students who may not know, or have forgotten, who is overseeing their trip can find the information on the Module webpage.
As mentioned before, any and everything is subjected to change. May is still months away, so it is important to not become too focused on May Module. Information will be shared with students as needed; however, while students should not become too centered on modules, it is something exciting and hopeful to look forward to at the end of the school year.