University of Rhode Island sends students off to warmer climes

An innovative program offered by the University of Rhode Island uses winter break to send students to learning destinations across the globe.
Dubbed the “J Term,” the program pairs learning opportunities with exotic locations, such as coral reef conservation in Bonaire, global health in Guatemala, and teaching children with disabilities to surf in Hawaii.
“J Term is a wonderful way for students to participate in unique academic opportunities on campus and abroad,’’ John Olerio, J Term coordinator, said. “Students who participate can’t wait to start planning for next January. That says something about the success of our program.”
These real-world studies allow students to apply their knowledge outside the classroom. Marissa Wolfe, a marine affairs graduate, used her J Term last year to study Senegal’s “mangrove ecosystem, fisheries and climate change."
“It was an amazing experience,” she said. “Not only was I able to immerse myself in their culture, but I also learned about the environmental issues the people of Senegal are facing.”
But students don’t necessarily have to leave campus to get a taste of J Term opportunities. J Term classes that take place on campus or online include Chinese Hollywood, the Business of Innovation, Biology and Society, the History of Jazz, and the Politics of the Vietnam War.
Last year, Adam Mazzantini, a civil engineering major, was on a team for two weeks that created software and prosthetics to help the disabled.
“The class opened me up to a lot of new opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced in a core curriculum class,” Mazzantini said. “I was happy to give up hiking and biking for that.”