Travel

Each “Roads to Appalachia” course has involved the study of one of the European regions from which immigrants came to West Virginia, culminating in a trip to that region during the summer. These regions are highlighted in the permanent display panels in the Great Room of Cultures in the Folklife Center.  Community members and students have journeyed, on past trips, to Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Ukraine, and others.  No Roads to Appalachia trips are currently planned.  Photographs from past trips may be viewed on the Photo Gallery page.

Students who graduated with the Folklore Studies minor, and Folklife Center faculty, have presented on folklore topics at international conferences: in Ukraine, on the links between traditional hammer dulcimer music in Appalachia and Ukraine; and at the University of Transylvania in Rumania on witch lore traditions in Appalachia.

Students interested in study abroad in Calabria, Italy, are encouraged to consider the Fairmont State University – University of Calabria Exchange Program.