by Jason Secrest
Intern Writer
Nine Appalachian State University students will study abroad this
summer in Cuba in hopes of capturing the country’s rich culture
through photography.
“The focus is to go and experience another culture through
photography,” senior photography major John M. Bethune said.
This is the fourth year Appalachian State photography students have
studied abroad in Cuba and the first for technical photography professor
Mark L. Malloy.
Malloy said back in the fall there was talk of not even offering
the trip this year because there was not a professor able to go
with the students.
“I was very interested and wanted to continue to have it,”
Malloy said. “I’m very excited to be able to go.”
Malloy said the reason for choosing Cuba was because of the connections
and relationships the technical photography department at Appalachian
State has formed with people and photographers in Cuba. The technical
photography department is currently making plans for two Cuban photographers
to visit and study at Appalachian State in the fall.
Director of Appalachian Overseas Educational Progams Meg Marck-Kennedy
said the Cuba program is an opportunity for students to experience
different aspects of Cuban culture, including the people, architecture
and landscapes.
Bethune said the exclusivity and the fact that Cuba is not open
to Americans without special permission is why he wanted to go.
He said he looks forward to photographing the colorful surroundings
and capturing the old, nostalgic aura Cuba possesses.
“I think it’s a very rich culture,” Bethune said.
While in Cuba, the group of photographers will visit galleries and
museums, meet with well-known Cuban photographers and photojournalists
and take photos in the city of Havana, where they will stay, and
in areas outside Havana.
Malloy said Havana will be the group’s home base, but the
group will take numerous day trips and at least one overnight trip
outside of the city to work.
This year will be the first time students of the department of art
will join the students of the technical photography department in
Cuba.
Malloy, who taught in the department of art last year, said he thought
the department was missing something, and students studying photography
in the department of art needed an opportunity to study abroad.
He said it’s a great chance to see a wonderful place and was
happy to be able to extend the trip to the photography students.
Along with the trip to Cuba, Malloy has plans for developing a program
in which Appalachian State photography students would study abroad
in Africa.
“It’s something we need to push forward,” Malloy
said.
Many study abroad programs are offered at Appalachian State, Marck-Kennedy
said. Appalachian State offers a selection of 30 overseas programs
each year.
Malloy said he encourages all students to look into studying abroad,
and said there are affordable opportunities available.
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