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Summer MCCCD Travel Abroad Programs offered at PVCC

By: Jeanna Brown

Take your classroom experience across oceans, into Europe, South America and even China. 

Student Travel Abroad programs are offered to students year round and are within your reach.  Summer excursions are taking place in 2010.  Apart from the classroom setting, to further your understanding of the culture in which you are experiencing, Monday thru Thursday you will be left to your own devices to explore new things, broaden your horizon, and take part in an unforgettable journey.  

China & Thailand:

The two trips to China include Beijing, Xi’an, and Zhengzhou.  One jaunt departs May, 19 thru June 17 and the other, May 25 thru July 2.  Students will gain knowledge of the country by experiencing all the sights, art, language and history China has to offer.   There will be opportunities, among other things, to see ancient temples, city walls, and rural villages along with excursions to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Soldiers, and Tiananmen Square.  Also available is a trip to Thailand, from July 9 thru Aug. 1.  In Thailand student can expect to see the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the modern capital of Bangkok, its traditional floating market, and the country’s largest coastal resort city of Pattaya.

Prague:

Prague Summer session 1 takes place June 1 thru July 1, followed by summer session 2 July 6 thru Aug. 5.  Along the journey will be Cesky’ Krumlov, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square and much more.  Students going on this trip will immerse themselves into endless discovery and exploration of the modern-day Czech Republic as well as all of the country’s history.

 

Current PVCC Student, Ann Portillo, whose major is currently undecided, participated in the Prague escapade last summer and says, “It was the experience of a lifetime.”  At first she was afraid of the unexpected, but walked away with lifelong friends, “[she] learned a ton- -not only in the classroom, but outside the classroom about other people, other cultures and about herself.”  She is now more appreciative than ever for everything she has and cannot wait to do something like this again.  On her trip, she and a group of about 25 to 30 of her peers embarked on a priceless adventure.  While in Prague she took Sociology of Religions and an art history course, afterward which she ventured into the European countryside one foot in front of the other.  She recalls having a tourist book with a list of “must see” spots.  Portillo and two other girls used it and made their way down the list one outing at a time.  Each day they would take in the country’s landscape by visiting museums and castles, and at night, they hit the pubs.  One student on her trip even took a weekend into his own hands and embarked upon a side trip to Germany and Italy.

Britain & Ireland:

Taking place July 2 thru Aug. 3, students stay in the historic district of Nottinghamshire, England, and will spend their time learning of its rich heritage, art, religion and complete history.  Excursions included, but optional, will be outings to Canterbury, Dover, Riveaulx and Fountain Abbey.  This year’s program also includes an optional 3-night stay in Paris, France.   From May 28 thru June 28, staying in Athlone, Ireland students who participate receive guided explorations to megalithic monuments at Loughcrew and Trim Castle followed by a stay of several days in Dublin, and then a boat ride to Clonmacnoise.

Other unforgettable voyages the Student Travel Abroad program is offering this summer include trips to Jordan, Belize, Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico.  You can expect to see a lot of wildlife in the jungles of South America and even see lava bombs from an active volcano.  Depending on different majors, certain trips may prove more beneficial than others.  Also some of the expeditions require different courses before you are eligible to go.  All ventures range from $800 to $4,000.  Though some include airfare and meals, they all include lodging.  As Portillo says, “the price you pay elsewhere and the experience are well worth it.”  According to Director of International Education, Michelle Marion, “Students are scared of the travel probably due to cost and adult responsibilities, but the experience allows you to get to know yourself very well when you go outside your comfort zone and develop critical thinking skills and most importantly flexibility,” which later leads to better jobs coming your way.  For resumes in your future and experiences that you can say you have achieved, future employers will be amazed by your accomplishments as you will be of yourself.  To find out more about Student Travel Abroad Programs contact Michele Marion at michele.marion@pvmail.maricopa.edu, or visit http://www.maricopa.edu/iie/studyabroad/index.html to see the 2010 MCCCD Student Education Abroad Programs Catalog.

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