Alvin college's study abroad program students travel Europe

ALVIN — The Alvin Community College Study Abroad participants recently returned from a trip to Eastern Europe to study culture and history.

It was the second such trip for the program and organizers plan to conduct more in the future.

"Study Abroad provides a balance of both classroom and experiential learning that increases student engagement, stimulates critical thinking, and increases student success," English instructor Charlie Bevill, who accompanied the students on the trip.

"No matter what demographic or area of study students fall under, through a focused, faculty-led international experience students expand their horizons beyond their hometown and return with a broader understanding of their area of study and, more importantly, a cross-cultural perspective."

The Study Abroad program is a yearly opportunity for students to travel to foreign destinations as part of their educational experience. The inaugural year for the program included travel to Eastern Europe with a nine-day trip May 15-26 to Budapest, Hungary; Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; and Vienna, Austria.

"There was history around every corner," said Donna Schnitker, ACC writing tutor and academic coach.

Five students attended the trip along with faculty and staff.

"You can always stay home and read about places," said student Jocelyn Smith of Alvin. "But you can never truly experience the ambiance and history of a place without being there. The Study Abroad program allows that and so much more."

Smith was also the recipient of the first Study Abroad Travel Award.

Bevill said she hopes the experience will have a long-term benefit for those who participated.

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