This Spring Break some Ohio State students will take their learning experience beyond the classroom as they journey overseas.

Study abroad Spring Break programs allow students to earn school credit for less time and money than the 10-week programs.

Most students are required to enroll in specific classes before venturing overseas, said Jeannie Bonner, a study abroad coordinator for the trip to France.

“It’s a short experience, but you get a lot out of it from taking the class,” she said.

The Department of Near Eastern Language and Literature is offering a trip to Egypt for students taking Near Eastern Languages and Cultures 697, a course on the society and culture of Egypt.

“We will be looking at the places we learned about,” said Sherif Barsoum, assistant director of the Office of International Education and coordinator of the trip. “It’s a fantastic trip.”

The group will travel to Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt while learning through lectures and demonstrations. Students will gain three credits for their week abroad in Egypt.

Students in the Humanities Scholars Program have the opportunity to study abroad in Paris this spring.

“The trip will make the class come to life,” Bonner said.

The group is required to take Comparative Studies 697 to learn about the city and culture of Paris.

The overseas program is an instructional course that will give students five credit hours without placing them in a classroom setting.

“It’s a sightseeing tour,” Bonner said. “We will be hitting all the main attractions.”

The Center for Latin American Studies is offering a study abroad trip to San Jose, Costa Rica for OSU students and other groups.

“This is intended as a program for teachers, OSU alumni and the OSU community on break,” said Carol Robison, assistant director for The Center of Latin American Studies and coordinator of the trip.

The trip does not require a class to be taken winter quarter, but it offers a range of classes to be taken while in Costa Rica. Survival Spanish, Refresher Spanish, Costa Rica in the Classroom and a special course for children will be offered.

Ohio State students may take the classes to earn three credits, while elementary and secondary school teachers can gain credit for recertification.

Bonner said OSU and many other universities are offering these shorter trips.

“This type of program is growing,” she said.

The trips allow students to choose from destinations other than the most popular, crowded spots, Barsoum said.

“Instead of going to Florida and spending a thousand bucks, why not do something educational and learn something?” he said.