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Posts tagged as “study abroad”

(Archive February 2018) Study Abroad and Travel for Students at MWCC

By editorialteam on February 4, 2025

By Rachel Aster | Observer Contributor

Dean Laurie Occhipinti
Photo by Thomas Hill Jr.

Mount Wachusett Community College has a surprising amount of travel options for the adventurous students who attend. Two of the biggest options our school offers are the Study Abroad program and the Service Travel program. The Study Abroad program is a 3-week to a full semester program, while the Service Travel is one week in May after classes end for the year. 

Dr. Laurie Occhipinti, the Dean of Liberal Arts, Humanities and Communications, is the contact person for the Study Abroad program. Occhipinti said, “MWCC currently has (and has had) a study abroad program that works through partner universities. This is available now for our students.” This is a shared partner program involving other colleges which allows students the opportunity to visit one of 40-60 different countries while earning credits. Occhipinti said, “Study abroad does cost extra for students, but financial aid can be applied to study abroad (this always depends on an individual’s situation with aid). Information is available in my office (the Division for liberal Arts, Education, Humanities, and Communications).“ read more

(Archive December 2016) Just Go, According to Heather Conn

By editorialteam on September 4, 2024

By Kelly Cacciolfi | Observer Contributor

“Just go and go with someone” is what Heather Conn, current Assistant Professor of Biology and Department Chair, Natural Sciences, gives for advice about travel. Conn shared what she has learned through her journeys from a young age.

It all started with a trip with her family to Disney in Williamsburg where Conn said, “that’s when I became obsessed with maps and I am very good at reading them.” When Conn was in 5th or 6th grade, her father (Steve) won a trip to Mexico through his work. He then decided to rent a car for their excursions. read more

(Archive September 1, 2011) Study Abroad Students Visited Europe for the Summer

By editorialteam on July 29, 2024

By MWCC Study Abroad Program

Photo by MWCC Study Abroad Program

Nine Mount Students returned from London and Paris thus completing their spring course Introduction to Europe. Students earned three credits attending class once a week during spring semester and then flew to Paris, continuing to London for their hands-on experience.

Students felt the full spring breeze atop the Eiffel Tower for the evening lighting ceremony and then made a midnight tour of Paris, the City of Lights. The next day they strolled among the famous paintings at The Louvre, took in the beauty of the Mona Lisa, and cruised at sunset on the River Seine. read more

(Archive October 2019) Where Education Meets Vacation

By editorialteam on October 16, 2019

Study abroad program offers educational experiences

By Rachel Williams | Observer Contributor

The new study abroad program gives students the opportunity to go on life changing adventures at an affordable cost.

Tracy Betts Sarefield, Study Abroad Staff Assistant, explained that the new program is incorporating abroad learning into average classes. Sarefield explained that if faculty members would like to take a trip abroad with their class they can.

For example, arts teachers could incorporate a trip to Italy inside their semester’s curriculum with their students to study the arts for a week in a new environment with different types of art. read more

(Archive October 2019) Destination: Iceland

By editorialteam on October 6, 2019

By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor

The Cultural Engagement and International Service Club is all about promoting positive diversity and learning within the community. Their mission is to foster global awareness, understanding, and appreciation within the MWCC community. Their next upcoming event is a service trip to Iceland.

In May 2020, Student Life and the Brewer Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement will host this service project along with True Nature Education, a nonprofit organization which carries a holistic approach to the idea of learning in a culturally diverse environment. This weeklong trip will be filled with activities such as hiking the local terrain, visiting volcanic lava fields and hot springs, going on a whale watch, and more. There will also be time to try regional foods as well as local shopping. read more