Deadline approaches for Edinburgh study abroad through Pellissippi State, TnCIS

The deadline is fast approaching for students wanting to attend and study the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland June 14-July 14. The study abroad opportunity is sponsored by Pellissippi State and the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies.

Study abroad applications and an accompanying deposit are due no later than February 28, but students must apply for scholarships by February 15.

The program will introduce students to film and media practices at the world’s oldest continuously running film festival. Edinburgh has hosted the event since 1947, and visitors and artists from all over the world participate. The festival will feature a collection of films focusing on historical, contemporary, national and cultural topics.

“Students joining the study group attending the Edinburgh International Film Festival will have the best opportunity for an international experience that I can imagine,” said Michael Tomlinson, the trip coordinator and a Web Technology instructor.

The course study will focus on critical analysis of specific films and supporting media of the festival. Film and media history, technology, aesthetics and theoretic development will be examined through lectures, critical viewing, writing, discussion and media projects.

The study abroad application can be downloaded at www.tncis.org. Late applications will be considered if space is available. A deposit of $100 is due with the application.

Participants also must be admitted to Pellissippi State or another of the 19 Tennessee Board of Regents institutions to apply for the program. (TBR schools are listed on the study abroad application.)

Applicants are required to provide an official transcript. The transcript should be mailed to TnCIS, Pellissippi State, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, TN 37933-0990, or it can be taken to the TnCIS office in Room 103 of the Alexander Building.

Students will earn 6 credit hours upon completing the program, which includes enrolling in two classes: MDT 1000 Introduction to Media Technologies or WEB 2120 Audio/Video for the Web and either HUM 2810 Introduction to Film Studies or ENG 3290 Introduction to Film Studies (East Tennessee State University students only).

Financial aid, including an international studies scholarship, is available to qualified applicants, says Milton Grimes, executive director of TnCIS. TnCis was founded in 2006 to make international education and cultural understanding a central goal of higher education in Tennessee.

Anyone interested in participating should fill out the study abroad and financial aid applications immediately.

The first round of scholarships will be awarded February 15, and a final review will take place February 28 in the event that 20 or more students are enrolled.

Financial aid applications are available by visiting the Financial Aid office on the Pellissippi Campus or going online: www.pstcc.edu/departments/financial_aid.
Cost per student is $4,290, which includes tuition, round-trip airfare between Knoxville and Edinburgh, accommodations, outings in Edinburgh, lunch daily and a festival pass. Expenses not covered include students’ passport, health insurance, textbooks, audiovisual equipment and digital media supplies, breakfast and dinner and personal spending money.

The remaining $4,190 is due March 20.

Students are required to attend an orientation 1-4 p.m. March 29. The location will be announced early in March.

For more information on the program, contact Tomlinson, mjtomlinson@pstcc.edu or 539-7245, or Theresa Castillo, TnCIS program coordinator, tcastillo@pstcc.edu or 539-7279, or go to www.tncis.org/scotland_summer_2008.html.

For information on the courses, visit www.pstcc.edu.