For Pasadena City College students who want to immerse themselves in a new culture while still finishing up necessary classes, a unique opportunity to study abroad in Oxford, England is available for Spring 2015.
The study abroad program, which has been offered at PCC for the past 30 years, has allowed students to experience foreign cities with rich history such as Florence, Beijing, and Madrid. The classes that are offered with study abroad programs differ each year, but they are all classes that can be found at PCC, and they are all transferable as well.
Next semester’s classes are unique, however, because it’s the first time a natural sciences professor will be accompanying the students.
Erika Catanese, who will be joining the Oxford study abroad group for the first time, is enthusiastic about her future trip and what it can offer students.
“Because we’re offering natural science classes, students can look forward to spending a lot of time outdoors in England,” said Catanese. “We’ll be going to the Eden Project, organic farms, fish markets, Charles Darwin’s home… a lot of different variety for everyone.”
Dr. Krista Walter, an English instructor, described by the study abroad program’s pamphlet as “irrepressibly adventurous and well-traveled,” will also be joining the group. With approximately 25-30 students in a group, it’s an exciting learning experience with opportunities to bond with one another, as well as the homestay families they stay with, Walter said.
“Most of our students keep in touch with their homestay families,” she said. “It’s nice because it’s like having ‘parents’ while they’re away from their real parents. They form special bonds with one another.”
According to the PCC Oxford study abroad pamphlet, grants, loans, scholarships, and financial aid, if applicable, may be used to pay program fees. With all the payment help that students can receive and the benefits that study abroad programs offer educationally and personally, PCC’s study abroad program is looking forward to having more students join, travel, and learn.
“We have students from other colleges who reach out to PCC for these programs that their own schools may not offer,” said Walter. “We are very proud of our study abroad programs.”
PCC’s study abroad program for Oxford spring 2015 is still open. There will be a meeting held on Thursday, October 16, 2014, at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone interested.
For further inquiries, contact Erika Catanese at elcatanese@pasadena.edu or Dr. Krista Walter at kristawalter@hotmail.com.
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