ISL Asia - Cebu in the Philippines
A university of Louisville delegation made up of Dr. Joy Hart, Dr. Kandi Walker, Dr. Margaret Pentecost, Dr. Thomas Clark, Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., and Laura Mercer spent a week in Cebu, Philippines meeting with local officials and touring sites in preparation for a ISL student trip scheduled for December 2009. The group included representatives from the Dental School, School of Education and Human Development, Department of Communications, and Student Affairs. 
The University of Louisville delegation toured local schools and met with teachers to determine how UofL students would assist the local schools during the December trip. Up to 15 students will be able to sign up for the December trip as part of the International Service Learning Asia Program.
The Asia program is modeled after the very successful Belize program which pulls together students from various academic programs. The Belize students design projects as part of their academic program and participate in an interdisciplinary group project.
The University of Louisville delegation had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Lorna Rances, Cebu City Schools Division superintendent during their recent visit to Cebu.
For more information about the ISL Asia Program contact the Vice President for Student Affairs Office at 852-6933.
A Little About Cebu Philippines
Cebu is one of the provinces of the Philippines. It is located to the east of Negros island; to the west of Leyte, and Bohol islands. It is located on both sides by the straits of Bohol (between Cebu, and Bohol), and Tañon (between Cebu, and Negros).
Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers (140 miles) from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan Island, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango, and the Camotes Islands. Of the hundreds of small islands some are uninhabited which make them popular with tourists.
Cebu is known for its narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, all characteristics of a tropical island. Cebu also has predominant rolling hills, and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern, and southern lengths of the island. Cebu's steep mountains reach over 1,000 meters. Flat tracts of land can be found in the towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan at the northern region of the province.
Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippine Islands, which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with four neighboring cities (Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City) and eight other municipalities. Cebu is served by Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Mactan Island, thirty minutes drive from Cebu City.
Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, and the main center of commerce, trade, education, and industry in the central, and southern parts of the islands. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls.
