CHICKASHA – Interdisciplinary students just might feel at home in Spain — a country shaped by many different religions and cultures.

The University of Science and Arts is giving students and community friends the opportunity to see, travel and experience the European country in June 2011 on the trip, which is led by Dr. Brenda Brown.

“This is a unique opportunity the university is able to offer to the community,” Brown said. “I always have a wide range of people along — people from various churches or who work at Wal-mart or who are retired. They combine with the students and alumni and have a fabulous time together.”

Brown is hosting an informational meeting about the trip at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 in Davis Hall 205 on USAO’s campus. Projected cost of the trip is $3,512. The cost includes transportation, hotels and most meals, Brown said.

Spain, which in its history has been home of Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Jews and Christians, is a versatile country where one region barely resembles another.

Those who opt to go on the 11-day trip will tour six Spanish cities, each with its own uniqueness. The first two-and-a-half days will be spent in the country’s capital city, Madrid, with a guided tour and a visit to the Prado, one of the city’s most famous art museums. The tour will take guests to the former Spanish capital of Toledo, the unique city of Seville, the Moorish capital Cordoba, and Granada and it’s 14th-century Alhambra before ending in the beautiful Barcelona, famous for Christopher Columbus and the designer/architect Antoni Gaudi.

“Madrid is wonderful, but Barcelona is my favorite city. It is beautiful, and the people are friendly and welcoming,” Brown said. “I think the night train will be a unique experience for the average American traveler. It is interesting to see the eastern influences on the architecture.”

The tour is organized and operated by Education First Company, which provides an educational approach to travel abroad experiences. USAO sponsors the trip to provide students with the opportunity to experience other cultures and further their knowledge of other parts of the world.

Brown said her favorite part of the trip is watching the Americans interact and connect with the local Spaniards.

“I have a great time introducing people to different cultures and watching them use their Spanish as they connect with the local people,” she said.

Those who cannot attend the meeting but are interested in the Spain trip should call Brown at 405-574-1207 or write to bbrown@usao.edu.