WKU News

Twenty-four travelers have returned home after a 10-day study abroad trip to France with Dr. Julia Roberts and Dr. Richard Roberts of The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU.

“Travel to France with 25 others was so enjoyable and educational,” Dr. Julia Roberts said. “There were many highlights of the trip which included visiting the beaches of the D-Day landings, walking in Monet’s gardens, viewing the Eiffel Tower with colored lights at night, and seeing the recently cleaned Chartres Cathedral.”

The Center for Gifted Studies’ Travel trips are meant for students, parents and educators. Madi Miller of Richmond is a repeat traveler with The Center who went on this most recent trip to France.

“I’ve traveled with the Center three times now, and each time it was been a new adventure,” Miller said.  “We not only get to see some of the most amazing and impressive landmarks from history, but also experience the modern culture of these places.”

“It has been a privilege to be able to meet and interact with the adults and students who go on these trips, and a great opportunity to draw on the knowledge and experience of both Dr. Roberts.”

The Center started the trip in route to Caen, where the group visited Monet’s Garden.  After visiting Monet’s Garden, the Center made its way to the Beaches of Normandy, just a few days before the 69^th anniversary of D-day. Following Normandy, the Center traveled to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, to Versailles to see the palace, and then back to Paris to visit Notre Dame, the Orsay Museum and the Louvre Museum.  Following Paris, the group also traveled to the Loire Valley to see the Chartres Cathedral and the Chateau Chenonceau.

While the trips are fun, they also have educational opportunities at every turn.

“The goal for students is to enhance their understanding of world history, art, and politics,” Dr. Roberts said.

The Center’s next study abroad trip is scheduled for Oct. 4-13 to Germany.

To see pictures of the Trip to France, visit the Center’s Flickr site athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/giftedstudieswku/sets/72157633966595213/.

For information on The Center’s May 27-June 5 trip to France or a trip next spring to Italy, contact Zack Ryle at (270) 745-3014 or at zachary.ryle@wku.edu.

About The Center for Gifted Studies: Located on the WKU campus in Bowling Green, The Center for Gifted Studies has been serving children who are gifted and talented, their educators, and their parents for 30 years. The Center provides exciting educational opportunities for gifted young people, rigorous professional development for teachers, and support for parents of gifted young people. Under the direction of Dr. Julia Roberts, The Center has become one of the preeminent advocates for gifted education in the United States.  The Center believes that when gifted young people meet their extraordinary potential, our communities, our state, our nation—even our world—become better places. That is why each school year, The Center renews its commitment to encouraging excellence by providing quality programming and resources for gifted students, their teachers, and their parents.